A petition submitted to the Canadian House of Commons, numbered e-7898, is calling for governmental action to save the acclaimed BioWare studio from closure. The petition argues that BioWare, as a significant Canadian cultural export, represents an immense loss to the nation's cultural legacy and that its potential closure by its American parent company, EA, could be viewed as a targeted attack on this legacy.
The petition highlights BioWare's games as champions of values like inclusivity, tolerance, democracy, justice, and civil rights, which it states are central to Canada's national identity. Since its opening on November 4, the petition has collected over 1,700 signatures. Under Canadian law, any petition exceeding 500 valid signatures from citizens or residents is eligible for inclusion on the House of Commons' agenda for presentation to parliament.
This initiative appears to have been spurred by a call from Canada's New Democratic Party leader, Avi Lewis, who urged the government to explore ways to support BioWare. The petition specifically suggests possibilities such as government funding to enable the studio to purchase its intellectual properties, including the Mass Effect franchise, and operate independently.
However, the petition's potential to enact change remains uncertain. While the Canadian government might agree with the petition's objectives, it cannot compel EA to sell BioWare or its associated IPs. EA has a history of closing studios rather than selling them, and has retained ownership of IPs from its previously shuttered developers.
The broader fan community has also expressed strong reactions to the news of BioWare's potential closure. A separate petition aimed at saving Mass Effect has garnered hundreds of thousands of signatures. Supporters of this movement have also purchased billboards in Times Square and are planning further public displays outside The Game Awards ceremony in December.
Former BioWare developers have also shared insights into the studio's final days and the development of its last project, Mass Effect Universe, prior to its shuttering.