A fan petition advocating for the Canadian government to provide financial support for the revival of BioWare has gathered enough signatures to be presented to the House of Commons. The petition, initiated by Brendan Routh and supported by MP Don Davies, calls for action to secure the studio's independence from its current ownership.
Cultural Significance and Government Support
The petition frames BioWare as a significant cultural export for Canada, highlighting its global success and the values of inclusivity, tolerance, democracy, justice, and civil rights that its games champion. It argues that the closure of BioWare represents a substantial loss to Canada's cultural legacy and could be seen as an attack on it. The document specifically calls on the Canadian government to "provide BioWare with the capital necessary to secure independence" and to "protect Canadian businesses and cultural institutions from being dictated by American and foreign corporate interests."
Path to Presentation
With 1,662 verified signatures from across Canada, the petition has surpassed the 500-signature threshold required for its presentation to the House of Commons. This presentation will necessitate an official response from the Canadian government.
While the article notes that a full government-backed resurrection of BioWare may be unlikely, it suggests that finding ways to commemorate the studio's legacy and its contribution to Canada's gaming and arts industries is a more feasible outcome.