A dedicated fan campaign, #SaveMassEffect, has emerged in the wake of EA's announcement of BioWare's closure, aiming to salvage the future of the Mass Effect franchise. This grassroots effort is drawing parallels to the successful fan-driven movement that led to the revival of the science fiction television series, The Expanse.
Following EA's official announcement on October 21 regarding the shutdown of BioWare after three decades, the next Mass Effect game found itself in limbo. In response, fans have launched the #SaveMassEffect social media campaign, seeking to bring the project back from the brink. While acknowledging it is a long shot, historical precedent suggests such campaigns can achieve success.
The Mass Effect series has experienced a complex journey over the past decade. The original trilogy, released in the early 2010s, garnered acclaim for its rich science fiction universe, compelling characters, and emphasis on player agency. However, its 2017 spin-off, Mass Effect: Andromeda, received a more mixed reception, with players appreciating the gameplay but finding the narrative and characters less engaging than those of the original games. This led EA to put the franchise on hiatus.
In 2020, BioWare confirmed that a new Mass Effect game was in development, providing intermittent updates over the following years. Early promotional materials hinted at a project that would bridge the gap between Andromeda and the original trilogy. Shortly after BioWare's closure, a trailer for a project known as Mass Effect: Universe leaked online, revealing a significant departure for the series. Set 600 years after the original trilogy, the game was described by individuals familiar with its production as akin to "James Bond meets John Wick in space." The leaked footage amplified the disappointment among fans regarding its cancellation.
This situation bears resemblance to the fate of The Expanse, another acclaimed science fiction property that faced cancellation before ultimately being resurrected due to strong fan support. Based on James S.A. Corey's novels, The Expanse depicted humanity's colonization of the solar system, distinguishing itself with a grounded approach to space opera that focused on political intrigue rather than fantastical elements.
In 2018, SyFy canceled its television adaptation of The Expanse after three seasons. Fans quickly organized a digital awareness campaign, #SaveTheExpanse, gaining support from astronauts and notable figures like George R.R. Martin. Several months later, Amazon acquired the series, producing three additional seasons for Prime Video. The franchise has also expanded into video games, with Telltale Games releasing a prequel in 2023 and Owlcat Games currently developing the action RPG The Expanse: Osiris Reborn.
The #SaveMassEffect campaign has garnered significant traction over the weekend. Voice actors Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, who portray Commander Shepard, have encouraged fans to sign the petition. Developers at Owlcat Games have also voiced their support, citing the revival of The Expanse as an inspiration. Reports indicate billboards have appeared in Times Square promoting the campaign, and the #SaveMassEffect petition has amassed over 200,000 signatures, surpassing the 138,420 signatures collected by the #SaveTheExpanse campaign.
However, key differences exist between these two situations. Mass Effect is a video game franchise, whereas The Expanse was a television series. The financial implications also differ. Based on Glassdoor data for game developer salaries in Edmonton, Alberta, where BioWare was located, and Bloomberg's report of BioWare employing approximately 50 people, the estimated overhead for two additional years of development for Mass Effect: Universe could be around $5 million CAD. This figure is comparable to the production cost of a single episode of The Expanse during its SyFy run.
A significant hurdle remains: intellectual property rights. While Amazon held U.S. streaming rights for The Expanse when it revived the show, EA retains the rights to Mass Effect: Universe. EA's willingness to license or sell these rights is a critical factor. Notably, a television adaptation of Mass Effect is reportedly still moving forward with Amazon, despite BioWare's closure, suggesting a potential avenue for the IP's continued existence.
