Ashes of Creation, the long-anticipated fantasy MMORPG developed by Intrepid Studios, is in critical disaster lower than two months after its Steam Early Entry launch. What started with optimism for one of probably the most bold on-line video games in years has rapidly become turmoil that now places the venture’s future in doubt.
Early Entry Launch and Background
Ashes of Creation entered Steam Early Entry on December 11, 2025, following practically a decade of improvement and a profitable 2017 crowdfunding marketing campaign that raised over $3.2 million. The transfer to Early Entry was supposed to permit group playtesting and iterative improvement towards a full launch.
Regardless of the lengthy improvement interval and hype amongst MMO followers, the early entry construct acquired combined reactions, with some gamers criticizing its unfinished state relative to its $49.99 worth level.
Management Resignation and Mass Layoffs
On January 31, 2026, Ashes of Creation’s founder, Artistic Director, and CEO Steven Sharif abruptly resigned, stating he was stepping down “in protest” attributable to moral disagreements with the corporate’s board of administrators.
Following Sharif’s resignation, senior management figures additionally departed, and stories point out that Intrepid Studios issued WARN Act notices to its employees, a authorized sign that mass layoffs or closure was imminent.
Staff started updating skilled profiles, indicating they had been looking for new employment, and quite a few builders publicly confirmed they had been not with the corporate.
Studio Standing and Operational Collapse
A number of impartial stories and leaked inner notices strongly counsel that Intrepid Studios has successfully ceased regular operations:
- WARN Act notices acknowledged that layoffs might start as early as February 2, 2026, attributable to incapacity to satisfy payroll obligations.
- Business sources and group posts describe the majority of the crew being let go, with estimates of roughly 250+ positions affected.
- The official channels of Intrepid Studios have been largely silent on long-term plans or methods ahead for the venture.
On the time of writing, Ashes of Creation servers stay accessible in Early Entry, however there may be no confirmed ongoing improvement, updates, or upkeep schedule.
Group Response and Questions Forward
The sudden collapse has sparked important backlash amongst early entry gamers and backers. Many who bought entry or supported the sport years in the past at the moment are looking for refunds and questioning whether or not the venture will ever attain a full launch.
Steam customers have submitted refund requests to various success. Some have acquired the total refund quantity whereas others have been denied by Steam. There appears to be a trick that some persons are utilizing, as a substitute of choosing “I would love a refund”, they’re choosing “I’ve a query about this buy”.
One other unresolved concern is how lengthy the sport’s servers will stay operational. Whereas Ashes of Creation Early Entry servers are at the moment accessible, ongoing server upkeep requires lively staffing, infrastructure prices, and technical oversight.
With a lot of Intrepid Studios’ workforce reportedly laid off and no public roadmap for continued operations, it’s unclear whether or not servers can be maintained long-term, step by step shut down, or transferred to a different entity. Even when servers stay on-line in the quick time period, the absence of lively improvement raises issues about safety, bug fixes, and exploit prevention.
A 3rd main query is whether or not Ashes of Creation may very well be acquired or continued by one other studio or writer. The sport’s core ideas, together with its node-based world system and large-scale PvP mechanics, nonetheless maintain enchantment inside the MMO area.
Nevertheless, buying the Ashes of Creation mental property would contain authorized, monetary, and technical challenges. Any new proprietor would wish entry to the sport’s engine, backend methods, and remaining documentation, in addition to the assets to rebuild or substitute the unique improvement crew.
Hope for the Future
Ashes of Creation has not been formally canceled, and Intrepid Studios has but to concern an official announcement declaring the venture’s finish. Nevertheless, the resignation of its founder and inventive lead, mixed with widespread layoffs throughout the studio and the absence of a publicly communicated improvement roadmap, has left the MMORPG in a precarious place. Whereas Early Entry servers stay on-line, there may be at the moment no verified indication of lively long-term improvement, content material updates, or manufacturing timelines. With out new funding, a restructuring of the studio, or a switch of possession to a different writer or developer, the prospects of continued improvement or a full business launch seem more and more unlikely.
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