Petition to "Save Mass Effect" reaches over 170k signatures as fans plan billboard outside EA HQ

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1. 1h ago

   Save Mass Effect Petition Hits 170k Signatures as Fans Plan Billboards

   Fans of the Mass Effect franchise are mounting a major public campaign following Electronic Arts' decision to shut down BioWare and lay off 400 employees. The player-led Save Mass Effect petition has surpassed 170,000 signatures. Supporters are organizing fundraising efforts to place billboards outside EA headquarters, building on a previous billboard campaign in Times Square. The backlash follows the cancellation of an unreleased Mass Effect game that would have allowed players to carry over choices and generate timelines acknowledging multiple trilogy decisions.

   Why it matters

   The closure of BioWare forms part of a broader corporate restructuring by Electronic Arts, which is shedding 3 percent of its global workforce and cutting 400 jobs. Amid the studio shutdown, details have emerged about canceled projects, including a leaked trailer featuring Liara for what was known as Mass Effect 5 or Mass Effect Universe. While the franchise games face cancellation, reports indicate that Amazon's Mass Effect television series remains in production.

   What is confirmed

   • Electronic Arts shut down BioWare and laid off 400 employees as part of a restructuring plan cutting 3% of its workforce.
   • The Save Mass Effect petition surpassed 170,000 signatures as fans organized fundraising for billboards outside EA headquarters.
   • Mass Effect fans purchased a billboard in Times Square following the studio closure.

   Still unconfirmed

   • BioWare had a Mass Effect 5 trailer ready to go before EA canceled the game and shut down the studio.
   • Amazon's Mass Effect TV series is reportedly still in production despite the BioWare closure.
   • The canceled Mass Effect game would have allowed players to generate timelines acknowledging multiple choices from the trilogy.

   What to watch next

   • Any official response or policy shift from Electronic Arts regarding the Mass Effect intellectual property.
   • The deployment and public impact of the planned fan billboards near EA headquarters.
   • Further updates on the production status of Amazon's Mass Effect TV series.
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. Bloomberg.com — Electronic Arts to Shed 400 Jobs, Shut Down BioWare to Cut Costs
   2. Ars Technica — Leaked Mass Effect: Universe trailer gives a taste of what we’re all missing
   3. Variety — Electronic Arts Laying Off 3% of Employees in Studios Restructuring: BioWare Shutting Down, Respawn and DICE to Team on ‘Star Wars: Battlefront 3’
   4. Game Informer — Amazon’s Mass Effect TV Series Is Reportedly Still In Production Despite BioWare Closure
   5. Kotaku — Mass Effect: Universe Would Have Allowed Players To 'Generate' Timelines That Acknowledged Multiple Choices From The Trilogy
   6. Windows Central — Petition to "Save Mass Effect" reaches over 170k signatures as fans plan billboard outside EA HQ
   7. Game Informer — A Mass Effect 5 Trailer Featuring Liara Appears To Have Leaked Following BioWare's Closure
   8. Polygon.com — BioWare's Closure Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg
   9. IGN — 'You Have No F**king Idea How Great It Was' — BioWare's Canceled Mass Effect Game Plans Included Option to Carry Story Choices From Previous Games, Allowed Players to 'Generate Timelines'
   10. IGN — BioWare Reportedly Had a Mass Effect 5 Trailer Ready to Go Before EA Canceled the Game and Shut the Studio Down
   11. www.windowscentral.com — Petition to "Save Mass Effect" reaches over 170k signatures ...
   12. en.3dmgame.com — "Save Mass Effect" Petition Surpasses 170,000 Signatures as ...
   confidence 95%