EA cancelled Mass Effect 5 and closed BioWare, but the publisher is still selling Mass Effect merchandise through the BioWare Gear Store. The store's social media accounts went silent for a month, then resumed posting ahead of N7 Day on November 7 to promote mugs, tote bags, clothing, and shoes featuring the franchise.
The timing drew backlash online. Replies to the nine promotional posts called the merchandise push tone deaf and insensitive given the recent cancellations. EA made these changes as part of a wider organizational shift that also included layoffs and the cancellation of a new The Sims game.
The restructuring followed EA's acquisition by an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Reports indicated EA prioritized funding a new Star Wars Battlefront game over Mass Effect 5 and BioWare's continued operation.
A Change.org petition to "save Mass Effect" has gathered over 300,000 signatures. Canadians are petitioning their lawmakers to fund BioWare's future.