Intrepid Studios Shuts Down Weeks After Ashes of Creation Launch
Intrepid Studios, the developer behind the MMORPG Ashes of Creation, has faced significant turmoil following the game’s launch. The studio, known for its return to classic MMORPG elements, had raised over $3.27 million through Kickstarter in 2017. After an extended Alpha phase, Ashes of Creation entered Early Access in December 2022.
Intrepid Studios’ Closure
Unfortunately, reports indicate that in early February 2023, Intrepid Studios announced a near-total shutdown. This came just weeks after the game’s Early Access release, leaving fans and players with many unanswered questions.
PCGamesN highlighted a recent update on the Ashes of Creation website, featuring a letter from the development team. Notably absent from the letter was Steven Sharif, the game director, who had resigned shortly before the announcement. In his resignation message via Discord, Sharif stated, “Control of the company shifted away from me,” expressing concerns over ethical decisions being made by the Board.
Impact on Staff
Shortly after Sharif’s departure, other key personnel, including the director of communications, Margaret Krohn, also confirmed their exit from Intrepid Studios. Reports surfaced on LinkedIn from former employees, indicating widespread layoffs as part of a “studio-wide shut-down.”
- Alyvia Plummer, a former environment artist, labeled the situation as a complete studio closure.
- Sound designer Kevin Stiles announced his job search in light of the closure via LinkedIn.
Future of Ashes of Creation
Despite the turmoil, Intrepid Studios has not yet issued an official statement directly addressing the closure. Their last communication involved a promise for a development update through a Twitch livestream, scheduled for February 13. Given the circumstances, it remains uncertain if this event will proceed as planned.
As the situation evolves, fans of Ashes of Creation remain hopeful, yet apprehensive about the future of the game and its development team. El-Balad will continue to monitor this situation closely for further updates.
