Overview
- Electronic Arts announced on Oct. 21 that it was closing BioWare and cancelling the next Mass Effect project, ending active development on the codename Mass Effect: Universe.
- A Change.org petition started by Joe Smith has grown rapidly to more than 240,000 verified signatures and asks EA either to resume funding or to license the Mass Effect intellectual property to another studio.
- An internal trailer for the cancelled project leaked and was authenticated by Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, which intensified fan interest and helped fuel the petition.
- Support has moved offline with a Times Square billboard, planned adverts near EA events, community fundraisers and public backing from voice actors Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer.
- Former developers and industry observers warn that EA’s August sale to new owners raised debt and set steep cost targets, creating a strong incentive to retain or shelve IP rather than sell it and making a near‑term transfer or revival uncertain.