The #SaveMassEffect petition has crossed 200,000 signatures. It is gaining support from the voices behind Commander Shepard and players from the Destiny community following reports that Electronic Arts (EA) has shut down BioWare and cancelled the next Mass Effect game.
The campaign calls on EA to continue developing the science-fiction role-playing series or allow another studio to take over the franchise. The rapid rise in signatures reflects the strength of fan support for a series that has built a loyal audience over several years.
Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, who voiced the female and male versions of Commander Shepard in the original trilogy, have publicly supported the campaign. Both actors shared messages encouraging fans to help protect the franchise's future.
Hale outlined a possible route for bringing the series back through community support and outside investment.
“I like to think about a world where the fans come together to create a Kickstarter, and then a couple of investors join them, and then a really cool game company joins them. Then a collective is formed to bring Mass Effect back to life for the community, for the creatives – for all of us – and it’s amazing. That’s what I like to think about.”
Meer also urged players to support the petition. “Save Mass Effect. Hold the line. I should go, and you should go… sign that petition.”
The campaign does not simply demand that EA reverse its reported decision to close BioWare. It also proposes licensing the Mass Effect intellectual property to another developer willing to continue the series.
The campaign has also received support from the Destiny community, whose players have previously organized around concerns over the future of their own franchise. Members have encouraged fellow gamers to sign and share the petition. Developer Owlcat Games, which is working on The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, has also publicly backed the campaign and urged followers to consider signing it.
The petition's growth highlights the reach of fan-led campaigns across gaming communities. However, the number of signatures does not guarantee that EA will change its plans. For now, supporters are seeking a path for the franchise to continue, either under EA's direction or through another studio.