Fans launch petition following BioWare closure and Mass Effect 5 cancellation

Publisher Electronic Arts announced on October 21 that it is closing game developer BioWare after more than 30 years, ending development on the next Mass Effect game, GamesIndustry.biz and GamesRadar reported. In response, over 223,000 people signed a Change.org petition organized by Joe Smith asking Electronic Arts to commit to the continued development of the series, according to GamesIndustry.biz. [2][3]

The cancelled title was announced in 2020 and was apparently titled Mass Effect Universe, GamesRadar reported. Rock Paper Shotgun noted that an internal trailer leaked online showing that the game would have allowed players to generate alternate timelines based on choices made in previous games. However, former developer Romain Toutain told GamesRadar that Electronic Arts rarely sells off projects, making it unlikely another studio will finish the game. [3][7]

Following the news, Grammy-winning composer Austin Wintory published 22 minutes of proposed music on YouTube that he had composed last year as a pitch for the project, VGC reported. PC Gamer reported that a fan group also bought a billboard in New York's Times Square to promote the petition. [4][5]