Leadership Departures and Uncertainty for MMO’s Future
The development of the ambitious MMORPG Ashes of Creation has entered a period of turmoil as Steven Sharif, creative director and co-founder of Intrepid Studios, resigned from his role “in protest,” and a wave of layoffs has begun at the studio, raising questions about the future of the project and the company behind it.
Sharif’s departure stems from an internal dispute after control of the company shifted away from him and the studio’s board of directors began directing actions he said he “could not ethically agree with or carry out.” In a statement shared on the game’s official Discord server, Sharif said he chose to step down rather than lend his name and authority to decisions he opposed.
Senior Leadership Exit and Layoffs
Following Sharif’s resignation, much of Intrepid’s senior leadership team also resigned, according to his statement. This exodus of leadership has been followed by the board’s decision to issue WARN Act notices and initiate mass layoff proceedings, affecting employees across the studio.
WARN Act notices are legal requirements in the United States intended to provide employees and government agencies advance notice of significant layoffs or closures. Reports indicate these notices are set to take effect on February 2, 2026, suggesting widespread job losses.
The exact number of affected staff has not been officially confirmed by Intrepid Studios. Community sources and independent reporting suggest the layoffs could extend to a large portion of the development team, though earlier in January a smaller round of layoffs was acknowledged by Sharif affecting nine employees.
Discordant Messages and Community Reaction
Sharif’s announcement sparked confusion and concern within the Ashes of Creation player community, with many fans and observers uncertain about the project’s viability. In his message, Sharif said he could not speak further due to “ongoing legal and governance matters” but emphasized that the developers and staff had acted in good faith.
Social media and threads on platforms like Reddit reflect mixed reactions, with some community members interpreting the resignations and layoffs as signs that development is effectively halted, while others debate internal leadership dynamics and financial challenges facing the studio.
Historic Project Background
Ashes of Creation was announced in 2016 and gained early traction through crowdfunding, raising more than $3 million on Kickstarter to support development of a next-generation massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Over the years, the project garnered a devoted following and significant anticipation from the MMORPG community for its ambitious design goals and promised innovations in the genre.
The game entered Early Access on Steam in late 2025, allowing paying supporters and other players to explore initial phases of the world as development continued. Despite this milestone, Ashes of Creation received mixed reactions from players and critics alike, with some praising the early content and others noting persistent bugs and delays in delivering core systems.
Board Control and Internal Discord
Central to the current controversy are questions about governance and company control. Sharif’s statement suggests a shift in operational authority away from the studio’s founders and toward the board, prompting his resignation on ethical grounds. The specifics of the board’s decisions and internal disagreements have not been made public, and Intrepid Studios has not issued an official response or detailed explanation of the layoff strategy.
Observers in gaming circles note that the studio’s board structure and internal dynamics could play a critical role in how events unfold. Online discussions indicate a range of perspectives, from those questioning financial management to others debating the operational transparency of the development process.
Project Future in Question
At this stage, it remains unclear whether Ashes of Creation will continue development, undergo restructuring, or face potential shutdown. With key leadership departing and layoffs underway, players and industry watchers are awaiting further announcements from Intrepid Studios or affiliated parties.
The situation underscores the challenges faced by independent studios pursuing large-scale MMO projects, particularly when development spans many years and relies on community funding and Early Access revenue.
As the story develops, stakeholders—including backers who funded the game’s development—will be closely monitoring official updates on the project’s continuity, potential refunds, and the status of remaining development resources.
Broader Context
Industry analysts note that Ashes of Creation’s journey mirrors broader trends in game development, where ambitious titles often encounter extended timelines, management challenges, and financial pressures. The reported leadership upheaval and layoffs at Intrepid Studios represent a significant turning point for one of the most high-profile crowdfunded MMORPG projects of the past decade.
The situation continues to evolve, and the long-term outcome for both the game and Intrepid Studios remains uncertain.
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