Wounds are still fresh coming into this year’s N7 Day, a day traditionally dedicated to celebrating Mass Effect’s history and announcing updates about its future. The festivities are now shrouded by the news of Bioware’s closure and the worst possible update for any franchise: the cancellation of Mass Effect 5.
Given how recently EA announced the studio shakeup, it stands to reason that Bioware had already prepared at least something for the N7 Day festivities. Some of these plans are still coming to fruition. Namely, a merch drop, including a new and improved version of the wearable N7 LED helmet.
The new helmet is a wearable replica of Shepard’s helmet from Mass Effect 3. It’s essentially an 'upgraded' version of the N7 replica helmet that launched alongside Mass Effect Legendary Edition back in 2020, adding a layer of padding as well as a weathered finish to reflect how the helmet appears in-game.
Two AAA batteries power LED lighting, which can be swapped between Paragon Blue and Renegade Red using an internal switch. No neutral options here.
The helmet is now up for preorder for $174.99, with no indiciation of a release date. Whenever it does ship, that price gets you the wearable helmet as well as a weighted stand, plaque, and challenge coin.
The official Bioware merch drop includes two more 'new' releases: a pair of Converse-like N7 sneakers, and a new T-shirt dedicated to a particularly beloved companion, Garrus Vakarian. Otherwise, the Official Bioware Store has dropped discounts on a range of existing N7 merch, including hats, sweaters, and statues.
The actual products come from DPI Merchandise, a company that has long partnered with Bioware alongside fellow RPG giants like Bethesda and CD Projekt Red.
As for what else fans can expect this weekend? A rumored Mass Effect 5 trailer began circulating around social media platforms soon after news hit of the studio's closure. It's possible Bioware was planning to debut said trailer on N7 Day, but that ship has now sailed.
While a "Save Mess Effect" petition has picked up over 300,000 signatures, for now, fans will have to make do with the merch.
Reports have continued to trickle out about what exactly led to the studio’s closure. Saudi Arabi's PIF, Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners completed their acquisition of EA this past August in a deal valued at $55 billion. The company was quick to announce a new strategy focused on "core titles" and increased investment in AI development.
One report suggests EA’s new strategy led the company to a choice between Star Wars: Battlefront 3 and Mass Effect 5, and the company went with the former. A newly announced documentary will hopefully answer questions about what exactly went down in Bioware’s final years, while paying tribute to a studio that defined the modern RPG.