#SaveMassEffect petition passes 200,000 signatures with help from both Shepards

The #SaveMassEffect petition has passed 200,000 signatures, with videos from both Commander Shepard actors and posts from the Destiny community helping push it over the line, IGN reports.

The movement kicked off after EA announced it would close BioWare and cancel development of Mass Effect 5. It's been a rough stretch for anyone who grew up on the series, and fans moved quickly.

In the movement's first weekend, more than 200,000 verified users signed the petition, according to IGN. The outlet credits a lot of that to the huge wave of social media attention the campaign picked up in just a few days.

Two of the most visible supporters have been tied to the series for a long time. Jennifer Hale, who voiced the female Commander Shepard across the first three Mass Effect games, shared a video over the weekend laying out what she'd like to see happen.

"I like to think about a world where the fans come together to create a Kickstarter, and then a couple of investors join them, and then a really cool game company joins them," Hale said.

She continued: "Then a collective is formed to bring Mass Effect back to life for the community, for the creatives – for all of us – and it's amazing."

That's a hope, not a plan. Hale framed it as something she likes to think about, and nobody has announced a Kickstarter, investors or a studio willing to take the series on.

Hale also posted on social media on October 24, 2026, writing "I like this thought… ❤️💙" alongside Mass Effect, FemShep and BroShep hashtags. The male Shepard actor also backed the campaign with a video, per IGN, though the report didn't quote it here.

EA hasn't publicly responded to the petition.