223,000+ people sign petition to “save Mass Effect”

Over 223,000 people have signed a Change.org petition demanding EA save the Mass Effect franchise, following the publisher’s October 21 announcement that it would shut down BioWare—the legendary studio behind Mass Effect—after more than 30 years of operation. The closure also cancels the next Mass Effect game, which was in early production.

The petition, started by Joe Smith, calls on EA to commit to “continued development of Mass Effect” with proper funding, staffing, and time allocation. Notably, the petition avoids explicitly naming BioWare, instead referencing vague “recent revelations” that have shadowed the franchise’s future. Signatures are accumulating at approximately two per second.

Developer Owlcat Games has publicly backed the campaign, and some observers point to historical precedent suggesting fan mobilization can successfully reverse game cancellations. The effort reflects the deep emotional investment Mass Effect holds for its player base.

The franchise has navigated a turbulent decade. The original trilogy earned its place as a defining space opera RPG experience, while 2017’s Mass Effect: Andromeda proved more divisive despite praised action mechanics. The cancellation of the anticipated next mainline entry represents a significant loss for the series’ devoted fanbase.

Sources

• 223,000+ people sign petition to “save Mass Effect”
• ‘Save Mass Effect’ Petition Already Has Over 200,000 Signatures
• Mass Effect’s Longshot #SaveMassEffect Campaign Actually Has a Chance
• Save Mass Effect Petition Rockets Past 200,000 Signatures as Fans Ask EA to Continue the Series
• 220,000-signatory petition to “save Mass Effect” doesn’t mention BioWare, suggests giving Mass Effect 5 to somebody else
• ‘Save Mass Effect’ petition cracks 200,000 signatures as fans plead for the series to continue