Fans of the Canadian RPG studio BioWare have taken their concerns about the studio's future to the Canadian House of Commons. A petition, which has surpassed the required 500 signatures, argues that BioWare is a significant cultural export and that its potential closure by parent company Electronic Arts represents a substantial loss to Canada's cultural heritage.
The petition, sponsored by Parliament member Don Davies, calls upon the Government of Canada to provide BioWare with the capital necessary to gain independence from EA, protect Canadian businesses from foreign corporate interests, and preserve BioWare's contributions to the global entertainment industry. The petition states that the studio's work embodies Canadian values of inclusivity, tolerance, and justice.
According to the House of Commons website, petitions that meet the signature threshold will be officially presented, prompting a governmental response. However, the article notes that EA retains ownership of BioWare and its intellectual property. Historically, EA has not sold its IPs or studios, which may present a significant hurdle to any potential independence or revival efforts.
Reports following BioWare's closure suggest that EA opted to shutter the studio and cancel projects like Mass Effect: Universe to prioritize Star Wars: Battlefront 3, a game that had reportedly not yet entered full development. The fate of BioWare and its properties ultimately rests on EA's willingness to cooperate with any proposed solutions.