As someone who is grieving the loss of BioWare, the studio that created my favorite games of all time in the Mass Effect trilogy, I want to assume good intentions of those who are also struggling with the news right now. Over 200,000 fans have signed a petition to “Save Mass Effect” after the studio’s closure resulted in the cancellation of Mass Effect: Universe, which would have been the fifth game in the sci-fi RPG series and was first announced in 2020.

On paper, “saving” that game sounds like a cause worth fighting for, but the solution proposed by the organizers of the petition has given some folks, even those who would love to throw their support behind it, pause. The petition’s request of publisher Electronic Arts, which just cut 400 people from its workforce last week, is as follows:

…We are urgently petitioning EA to take decisive action by committing to the continued development of Mass Effect. This commitment requires proper funding, adequate staffing, and time allocation to maintain and advance the high standards the franchise is known for. Alternatively, EA could consider licensing the Mass Effect intellectual property (IP) to another studio that shares the passion and vision to keep it alive and allow it to flourish anew.

Both solutions offer a way forward. By ensuring the ongoing expansion and enhancement of the Mass Effect universe, EA would not only preserve a cherished piece of gaming history but also continue to contribute to the cultural and emotional impact it has on gamers worldwide.

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