Commander Shepard Actors and Destiny Community Propel #SaveMassEffect Petition Past 200,000 Signatures

The #SaveMassEffect movement has gained significant momentum, with videos from both Commander Shepard actors and support from the Destiny community helping the petition surpass 200,000 signatures.

It's been a tumultuous week for Mass Effect fans and supporters of the legendary RPG developer BioWare, which recently closed its doors. After EA announced the studio's closure and the cancellation of Mass Effect 5, fans sprang into action, and the results are impressive.

In the first weekend of the #SaveMassEffect campaign and its petition, over 200,000 verified users signed in support. This surge is partly due to the massive social media attention it has received in just a few days, but two of its most prominent backers have been championing Mass Effect for decades.

"You know what I like to think about?" said Jennifer Hale, the actress who famously voiced the female Commander Shepard in the first three Mass Effect games, in a video over the weekend. "I like to imagine a world where fans come together to create a Kickstarter, then a few investors join in, and then a really cool game company gets involved. Together, they form a collective to bring Mass Effect back to life for the community, for the creatives—for all of us—and it's amazing. That's what I like to think about."

It's a scenario that fans have advocated for, and one Hale believes in. She had already expressed her sadness over BioWare's closure after a leaked trailer for the canceled Mass Effect: Universe project surfaced online. At the time, she felt "weirdly hopeful," and just days later, she used the #SaveMassEffect hashtag in a post.

When Hale first shared her feelings about EA's decision to lay off staff and halt the game side of the franchise, she wasn't alone. Joining her during an Instagram livestream was male Shepard actor Mark Meer. He echoed her sentiments, calling it "very sad news" for BioWare's home base in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and the industry as a whole. He later returned to social media to share a similar video, again with #SaveMassEffect.

"I just saw my friend Jennifer Hale post about an idea, and I think it's a pretty good one," Meer said. "Save Mass Effect. Hold the line. I should go, and you should go… sign that petition."

At the time of this writing, the #SaveMassEffect petition on Change.org, which aims to "prominently illustrate to EA the significance of this iconic series" and demand its continuation, has crossed the 200,000-signature mark. This is partly thanks to continued support from notable figures like Hale and Meer, who may not have been involved in future Mass Effect games but are not the only ones without a stake in the franchise's future to speak up.

Destiny players, who organized similarly when Sony moved to cease development of Destiny 2 content earlier this year, have been a vocal force following BioWare's closure. While it's hard to say whether this level of organization will impact decisions to give BioWare developers and their ideas a path forward, the effort is heartwarming to see.

Others from different gaming communities have also lent a hand. It's easy to find posts encouraging anyone who's experienced Shepard's fight against the Reapers to sign the petition. Another significant boost came from developer Owlcat Games, which used the official X/Twitter account for its upcoming game, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, to ask followers to consider signing the petition in a currently pinned post.

The Expanse show was saved by fans in the past, so the #SaveMassEffect movement has our full support. Please consider signing the petition (link in the quoted post).

Don't forget, Guardians. We share a bond with Mass Effect. Do your part. #SaveMassEffect

Last month, Destiny players were shocked to hear that Bungie was revisiting its plans for the franchise after its community spoke up. In general, revivals at this level are unlikely, and there's no telling if Mass Effect fans will be as lucky, but for now, fans show no sign of stopping. While we wait to see what's next for the legendary sci-fi RPG series, you can learn more about Mass Effect: Universe thanks to recently leaked gameplay details. You can also read about fans hoping to organize a boycott against EA.