Fourteen years ago, BioWare designated November 7th as N7 Day. Originally a commemoration for the original Mass Effect’s fifth anniversary, this year’s festivities have become something of a funeral, with fans, developers, performers and even policy makers in attendance. Following the sudden closure of BioWare last month, and the subsequent materials about Mass Effect Universe that have surfaced, players are intensifying their push to do the series justice.

“The hardworking people who made Mass Effect deserve to see their vision through,” says Mass Effect composer Sam Hulick, joined by much of the game’s cast in a video statement. “I’m not ready to see the story end either.”

After years of quiet and conflict with the parent company, EA announced the unceremonious closure of BioWare, creators of Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and more. It comes amid a controversial acquisition of EA from a consortium of private equity holders, including the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. Adding insult to injury, the shuttering dropped just a few weeks before N7 day, which in the past had fans awaiting for any news regarding the Mass Effect series. Obviously, no one was on standby for such a party this year, even though evidence suggests EA had already brought decorations. Instead, incensed stalwarts took the opportunity to intensify their campaign to save the series.

After purchasing ad space in Times Square, more billboards and trucks for the “Save Mass Effect” movement have emerged in Wales, Texas, California and Edmonton, the latter being BioWare’s stomping grounds. On top of the series’ own alumni, various other developers and voice performers have joined in. Five Nights At Freddy’s Kellen Goff shared his thoughts on the importance of the series and the movement’s efforts thus far. Owlcat Games released their own video reminiscing on the series, having just hired Dragon Age writer David Gaider to work on Osiris Reborn, their own RPG based on the sci-fi series The Expanse.

One of the more unexpected fronts of support come from Canada’s New Democratic Party. Newly elected party leader Avi Lewis expressed his frustrations with EA and private equity when the closure was first announced, suggesting stronger policy to protect Canadian businesses and even suggesting the federal government intervene in BioWare’s future. While there already is plenty of Canadian funding wrapped up in the gaming industry (see: Ubisoft), NDP member of parliament Don Davies boosted support for the petition, as well as photoshopping his head on Commander Sheppard.

The major front for N7 day appears to be Mass Effect itself. If the petition signatures aren’t convincing, they’re hoping for a high count of simultaneous players on the original game will make a stronger case. Regardless of what course correction is even possible at this point, fans are making themselves unignorable, as billboard trucks roam outside of EA’s Redwood headquarters, Madrid offices are tagged and the announcement of massive back catalogue restoration, which would have been really cool if not for everything else, is drowned out by commenters.

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