The #SaveMassEffect campaign has escalated beyond online petitions, with fans successfully crowdfunding billboards aimed at publisher Electronic Arts and upcoming industry events. In less than 15 minutes, a GoFundMe campaign organized by BioWare fans Kala Elizabeth, Ariel Aguilar, and Mer surpassed its $5,274 goal to fund advertisements outside EA's Redwood City headquarters, the soon-to-be-shuttered BioWare Edmonton office, and The Game Awards in Los Angeles.
The rapid fundraising success demonstrates a strong desire among the Mass Effect community to see the series continue. The group had reached out to advertising companies to estimate costs for the billboard placements, with the goal of making their voices heard in physical spaces.
Following the achievement of their fundraising target, the GoFundMe page is no longer accepting donations. The organizers had initially expressed an intention to donate any excess proceeds to the Game Worker Hardship Fund, a resource organized by United Videogame Workers-CWA for laid-off game developers. However, as of the campaign's conclusion, direct donation options to the fund were not readily available, and the organization was exploring possibilities. The immediate priority for the raised funds remains covering the billboard expenses and associated GoFundMe fees.
This initiative follows a separate Change.org petition that has garnered hundreds of thousands of signatures, urging EA to revive the Mass Effect franchise. Some fan discussions have noted a degree of contention within the community, particularly concerning proposals that suggest transferring the series to a new studio without explicit consideration for the employment of current BioWare staff.