Ashes of Creation Shuts Down: Steven Sharif Resigns in Protest, Intrepid Studios Lays Off Entire Team

Ashes of Creation is officially shutting down. In several posts from this weekend, it was made official that the game is shutting down and all employees from Intrepid Studios have been laid off. Founder Steven Sharif is also resigning, according to a post from the games discord.

Announced back in 2016, Ashes of Creation became one of the most highly anticipated MMOs in recent memory after the game met its Kickstarter goal of $750,000 within 12 hours of being started, and eventually hit 3.2 million on the website. Recently released to Steam in December of last year before the shutdown was announced yesterday.

In his Discord post, Steven Sharif stated that he resigned in protest after “the Board began directing actions that I could not ethically agree with or carry out.” Sharif later stated that, due to legal and governance matters, they could not speak further on the topic.

Margaret Kohn, the head of communications for Ashes of Creation, later confirmed on X, that their time at Intrepid Studios had officially come to an end.

To the AshesofCreation community - you are some of the most passionate, dedicated players I’ve ever seen in this industry. I genuinely wish I could have done more for you. I gave everything I had, and did my very best with what was within my power. And I ask one last favor of you, please be kind to the developers, we are people who have families who have just lost our jobs after pouring our hearts and souls into Ashes of Creation. 

To my incredible Game Services team - you are an absolute AAA team. Talented, kind, collaborative, and just genuinely good people. I’d take each of you with me on any project, any day. I care so deeply for all of you, and I know our bond is one I’ll carry forever. I’ll never forget our time together and you know where to find me if you need anything. Always.

A recent Reddit post on the Ashes of Creation subreddit, posted that Steam is investigating the situation about potential refunds for the game for those who purchased the title on Steam. 

Did you buy into the Ashes of Creation hype? Are you shocked that the game lasted only a month before being shut down? Leave a comment down below and make sure to join our official TheGamerzTheory Discord!