Over 222,000 passionate players have signed an online petition calling to save the Mass Effect franchise. This massive movement began late last week, immediately after the shocking news of the closure of the legendary studio BioWare.
As is known, the developers were actively working on the next installment of the cult sci-fi saga (which, judging by leaks, was codenamed Mass Effect Universe). However, following the studio's liquidation, the project was predictably canceled.
In the text of the Change.org petition, fans do not hide their disappointment: "The decline in dedicated resources and ambiguous development plans from Electronic Arts (EA) threaten to leave this beloved series at a standstill, jeopardizing its incredible legacy".
What exactly are the fans demanding? The authors of the petition appeal directly to EA's management and propose two specific solutions to the problem:
- Allocate new resources and assemble a team to continue working on Mass Effect (obviously, without BioWare's involvement).
- Alternatively, transfer the franchise rights (license the IP) to another, more interested studio that will treat it with the proper respect.
"Both solutions offer a way forward. By ensuring the ongoing expansion and enhancement of the Mass Effect universe, EA would not only preserve a cherished piece of gaming history but also continue to contribute to the cultural and emotional impact it has on gamers worldwide", the statement reads.
Is there a real chance for salvation? Mass Effect remains one of the most beloved franchises in the gaming industry, but objectively imagining that EA will try to revive the series right after destroying its creators is extremely difficult. Today's EA is a private company whose new owners are undergoing a stage of severe "optimization" of all processes. Management is looking for ways to completely cut costs, not invest in new studios.
Most likely, the company's bosses will justify their decision by arguing that Mass Effect simply lacks sufficient commercial appeal for such investments. The original trilogy was an absolute titan during the PS3 and Xbox 360 era, but the highly controversial Mass Effect: Andromeda significantly damaged the brand's reputation. In this context, the release of the excellent Mass Effect Legendary Edition before BioWare's closure looks more like a parting gift.
Nevertheless, it is incredibly inspiring how the gaming community is coming together for their favorite universe. We will see how many more signatures this petition gathers in the near future.
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