Mass Effect voices rally fans to save the series after BioWare closure

The annual N7 Day celebration for Mass Effect was a quiet one this year, following the recent shutdown of developer BioWare. In response, a large group of the original trilogy's voice actors and developers assembled for a video message urging fans to help save the franchise, IGN reports.

The video, organized by the fan group We are Mass Effect, features Jennifer Hale, Mark Meer, Brandon Keener, and many other key cast members calling for action. They each deliver a plea to 'Save Mass Effect' in the wake of EA canceling the planned Mass Effect 5 and putting the series on hold.

A representative for the group told IGN that gathering participants felt akin to assembling a team for a suicide mission, with Mark Meer being instrumental in recruitment. The fan-led campaign has also included petitions with over 310,000 signatures and mobile billboards driven around EA's headquarters and former BioWare offices.

In a separate report from IGN, a dedicated modding team has rebuilt the missing multiplayer component from Mass Effect 3 and brought it to the Mass Effect Legendary Edition. The free mod, releasing on N7 Day, ports the cooperative mode with upgraded graphics and lighting.

The mod's lead, known as Mgamerz, stated the three-year project involved recreating assets and solving complex technical hurdles, like adapting the audio engine. This release arrives as fans also have new official art prints for sale, per GameSpot, and composer Sam Hulick shared a personal 're-scored' trailer, which PC Gamer notes was his way of saying goodbye.