Fans of BioWare have gathered enough signatures for a petition asking the Canadian government to help the studio become independent following its closure. The petition has passed the 500 validated-signature threshold required for it to be presented in the House of Commons, where it will receive an official response.
Sponsored by Member of Parliament Don Davies, the petition describes BioWare as one of Canada’s most important cultural exports. It asks the government to provide funding so the studio can separate from Electronic Arts and resume operating independently, protect Canadian businesses and cultural institutions from foreign corporate interests, and preserve BioWare’s contribution to the entertainment industry.
The petition follows calls from Canadian politician Avi Lewis for the government to help BioWare workers buy the studio and take it independent. Fans have also organized other campaigns, including efforts to revive the cancelled Mass Effect: Universe and calls for EA to transfer the franchise to another developer.
Any government action would depend on EA’s cooperation: the publisher still owns BioWare and its intellectual property. The report notes that EA has historically not sold its studios or franchises, so the petition’s success does not guarantee BioWare will return as an independent company.
Sources: Kotaku.