This MMO’s Collapse Should Be a Lesson for the Industry

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Honestly, things in gaming feel really up and down right now. You see some games blow up and become huge hits, but then you hear about studios struggling or even shutting down, and it’s a bit worrying. A lot of the big companies are making some tough choices – cancelling games we love or, even worse, laying people off. While there are still awesome games coming out, it’s hard to get excited when you keep seeing developers facing so many problems.

The recent failure of Ashes of Creation serves as a stark example of game development gone wrong. After years of development and a highly anticipated launch into Early Access in December 2025, the MMORPG was removed from Steam just two months later. The company developing the game is now facing significant issues, and players are understandably upset. Here’s a breakdown of what happened with Ashes of Creation and what the gaming industry can learn from its collapse.

The Collapse Of Ashes Of Creation, Explained

In 2017, the game Ashes of Creation was a Kickstarter sensation, raising over $3.2 million and initially appearing to be a success story. It promised a unique, player-driven fantasy world without the typical pay-to-win elements, attracting a huge number of backers – one of the largest MMORPG campaigns in Kickstarter history. After years of development and limited access for backers, the game launched on Steam in December 2025 as an Early Access title, costing $50. However, despite continued updates and promises of future improvements from the developer, Intrepid Studios, the company was secretly facing serious financial trouble.

Game Director Seven Sharif recently resigned, citing ethical concerns with decisions being made by the company’s board. He stated that control of the game shifted away from him and that he couldn’t support the direction the board was taking, leading to his resignation in protest. Several other senior staff members also left their positions, indicating serious issues were happening within the company.

Concerns were realized when Intrepid Studios unexpectedly laid off over 100 employees. On February 3rd, Karen L. Boreyko, formerly a co-founder of the wellness company Vemma (which was shut down in 2015 due to unethical practices, according to the FTC), announced on Discord that Intrepid Studios is refocusing its long-term plans for the game. This includes continuing development in China and shifting to a subscription model with optional daily battle passes, a new in-game shop where players can buy gold, and more ways to improve character skills.

There’s a real possibility that Ashes of Creation might not survive in its current state. The game has been removed from Steam, received overwhelmingly negative reviews, and many supporters are now requesting refunds. Intrepid Studios’ marketing lead, Margaret Krohn, has even acknowledged players’ frustration and encouraged them to seek refunds. While some Steam buyers have been successful in getting their $50 back, Kickstarter backers face a tougher path to reimbursement. The situation is so dire that even laid-off developers haven’t received their final paychecks or the required 60-day notice before termination.

What The Gaming Industry Needs To Learn From Ashes Of Creation

Currently, Ashes of Creation is still in Early Access, and a development update is planned for February 13th, even with the recent closure of Intrepid Studios. However, the game may already be beyond saving. In the gaming world, failed projects often become symbols of disappointment – like how players now use Sony’s canceled game Concord to immediately dismiss new titles. It appears Ashes of Creation could become a cautionary tale about the difficulties of game development, especially when investors focused on profits disagree with the developers’ ambitious vision.

The exact reasons for the game’s difficulties are unclear, but comments from the developer hinting at adding more ways to generate revenue highlight a common trend: many companies prioritize profits when releasing games. This focus on money often leads to tactics that frustrate players and even attract the attention of regulators, further upsetting the gaming community. It will be difficult for Ashes of Creation to regain player trust, which is essential for any large-scale MMO to succeed. Ultimately, treating entertainment solely as a business venture is unlikely to win over players.

While the project generated excitement back in 2017, it’s now 2026 and the game is only just entering a very early testing phase. Having good ideas isn’t enough; players need a finished product. This likely led the company’s leadership to step in and take control. Although their decisions haven’t been well-received, the long development time is understandable given the failure of similar games like New World. It’s incredibly difficult to justify such a long and expensive development process, and managing expectations is key, especially when making a profit becomes increasingly challenging.

The cancellation of the game is most disappointing for the developers who dedicated their time to it and the players who supported it. While enthusiasm and dedication are important, this situation highlights that turning a vision into a successful game requires more than just passion. A key takeaway is that developers need to be realistic about what they can deliver. Ashes of Creation was clearly a labor of love for its creator and Intrepid Games, but its ambitious scope proved too much to handle with the available funding. No matter how dedicated the team, a game can’t be built without the necessary resources. Furthermore, the quick decisions made by those in charge have upset both the development team and the player base, making it even harder to rebuild trust and connect with the audience if the game were to be reworked.

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2026-02-08 00:13