"Ashes of Creation" early access gave MMORPG fans hope that there would be a unique game to grind. The title looks promising as players already see a glimpse of Verra. However, this might be sidelined now, and all plans will be affected.
Developer Intrepid Studios is currently facing a leadership crisis as multiple senior staff members resign and mass layoffs loom.
CEO Steven Sharif Cites Ethical Conflict
Margaret Krohn, the Director of Communications and Marketing, recently updated her LinkedIn status to "open for work," signaling internal upheaval. Founder and CEO Steven Sharif confirmed his resignation in the game's official Discord, citing ethical conflicts with Board decisions that led to the departure of senior staff and planned WARN Act layoffs.
Sharif explained that the Board directed actions he could not ethically support, prompting his departure in protest.
While legal reviews are ongoing, Sharif emphasized that developers "acted in good faith and deserved better." Notably, California public records list only Sharif and his husband, John Moore, on the Board, raising questions about governance and oversight.
Rocky Road for 'Ashes of Creation'
Announced in 2016 and funded via Kickstarter with over $3.2 million, "Ashes of Creation" promised ambitious MMORPG gameplay. Development moved slowly, including a major engine upgrade from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5 in 2021.
Last month, the game launched in Steam Early Access while still in Alpha, aiming for player feedback amid mixed reviews.
According to SteamDB, the game peaked at 31.8K concurrent players, with estimated sales between 220K–320K units, generating roughly $7.7–$11.2 million after Valve's cut.
Backers and Fans Face Uncertainty
According to Wccftech, the Kickstarter campaign promised full refunds if the game failed to launch. While Early Access technically fulfilled this requirement, some backers remain frustrated. Industry experts note that Western MMOs may benefit from smaller, gradual launches, akin to "Warframe " before attempting large-scale deployments.'
With the CEO and key leaders gone, and staff departures continuing, the future of "Ashes of Creation" is uncertain. It may be passed down to other studios or continue the development after many years.
In the meantime, check our recent report about "Pokémon TCG Pocket Fantastical Parade."
Originally published on Player One
