Canada Government Reviews BioWare Petition
Fan petitions demanding the rescue of the closed game studio BioWare have gathered enough signatures to force an official response from the Canadian government.
Electronic Arts closed the studio in October, cutting roughly 400 positions across Electronic Arts.
The local petition inside Canada surpassed 500 verified citizen signatures, crossing the legal threshold that requires federal authorities to formally address the demands. One Canadian lawmaker told PC Gamer that government intervention could involve supplying capital to make BioWare independent through an employee buyout. Federal officials lack the authority to force Electronic Arts to sell the studio.
For 30 years, BioWare gave us unforgettable stories and characters,
organizers stated on a mobile billboard parked outside the studio’s former offices.
Mass Effect Revival Costs $200 Million
A revived Mass Effect project would cost over 200 million dollars, according to estimates from former BioWare veteran Trent Oster. Oster joined the company in 1995 during the development of Baldur’s Gate and argues that modern AAA audience expectations demand a massive upfront financial commitment.
The scary part of Mass Effect is that its audience will expect the best of AAA development,
Oster wrote on X, noting that any buyer needs a broader plan for the franchise.
The scary component of Mass Effect is the audience is going to want the best of “AAA” development. Rough ballpark (based on contemporaries) is $200M+. That is a big number to commit up front. There has to be a bigger plan in place for the IP to make the math work.
The main petition surpassed 300,000 signatures, while parallel efforts continue to gain momentum. Former Dragon Age development lead Mark Darrah suggested that Electronic Arts could release its prominent intellectual properties to outside developers. Oster acknowledged that a disciplined team could build a smaller-scale science fiction game for less money, comparing the potential budget to European RPG projects.
Mass Effect Future Remains Uncertain
Electronic Arts retains final ownership rights over the Mass Effect franchise and has not agreed to sell or license the intellectual property. Oster cautioned that the publisher operates differently than companies that readily part with dormant licenses, leaving the fate of the series dependent entirely on corporate willingness to negotiate.
Supporters funded a mobile billboard outside BioWare headquarters and digital displays in Times Square to mark N7 Day. Voice actors from the sci-fi franchise also voiced public support for the preservation movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many signatures did the petitions receive?
The main petition gathered over 300,000 supporters, while a separate local petition aimed at the Canadian government surpassed 500 verified citizen signatures.
Why did BioWare close?
Electronic Arts closed the studio in October, resulting in roughly 400 job cuts across Electronic Arts.
What are the estimated costs for a new Mass Effect?
Former BioWare veteran Trent Oster estimates that developing a new AAA Mass Effect title to meet modern audience expectations would exceed 200 million dollars.