Key information
Electronic Arts announced on October 21 the closure of BioWare, the 30-year-old studio responsible for the Mass Effect franchise. Alongside this shutdown, the company confirmed the official cancellation of the next installment in the sci-fi series, which was reportedly titled Mass Effect Universe.
In response, fans have organized a movement under the hashtag #savemasseffect to protest the decision. Participants are demanding that EA either complete the project or sell the intellectual property to another developer to prevent the series from being abandoned.
The community has escalated these efforts by calling for a total boycott of all EA products and services, including titles from studios like Respawn Entertainment, DICE, and EA Sports. Supporters argue that this collective action is necessary to force a change in outcome regarding the franchise's future.
A fan-led petition urging EA to transfer the IP or development duties has surpassed 76,500 signatures. Despite this public outcry and support from industry veterans, analysts and former BioWare leadership suggest that EA is unlikely to alter its current course.
