Someone spray-painted “Save Mass Effect” graffiti outside EA’s Madrid office, days after EA closed BioWare. IGN reported the vandalism after a fan posted photos on Reddit.
Where the Save Mass Effect graffiti appeared
Reddit user Ok_Link9625 posted the images. They said they came across the office while leaving a cinema and saw the message on the ground at the entrance and on the wall in front of the offices.
Kotaku says the words were sprayed in front of the front gate and along one wall. It adds that the Madrid office largely works on EA Sports titles.
TheGamer notes that some fans have raised concerns that they may have painted the poster. That is unconfirmed.
Fans are split on the tactic
The campaign’s own organisers have distanced themselves. Organiser Kala Elizabeth said on social media:
We absolutely did not ask people to do this and obviously vandalism is bad, but it’s insane to me that #SaveMassEffect is so big that someone in Madrid is this angry. I get it.
Other fans worry it will backfire. One reply said they weren’t sure this was the way to convince EA the series is worth saving. Others shrugged it off as a message that can be hosed off a pavement.
Fans also crowdfunded a billboard push that hit its $5,274 goal in under 15 minutes. A fan petition has since grown to nearly 300,000 signatures, according to TheGamer.
What it means for Mass Effect
Nothing so far suggests EA will change course. The publisher closed BioWare, cut around 400 jobs, and cancelled Mass Effect 5.
Bloomberg reported that EA chose Star Wars Battlefront 3 over a new Mass Effect. Ex-BioWare producer Mark Darrah has said EA may sell Mass Effect and Dragon Age, or shelve them.
Amazon’s Mass Effect TV series reportedly lives on, though that is separate from the games.
FAQ
Where was the Save Mass Effect graffiti found?
It appeared outside EA’s office in Madrid, Spain. It was on the ground at the entrance and on a wall in front of the building.
Did the Save Mass Effect campaign organisers approve it?
No. Organiser Kala Elizabeth said they didn’t ask anyone to do this and that vandalism is bad.
Has EA responded to the Save Mass Effect campaign?
World Today Journal reports that EA has not altered its official stance on the franchise or the closure of BioWare.
