Ashes of Creation Struggles After Leadership Exodus and Layoffs

The long-awaited MMORPG Ashes of Creation is facing a major crisis as its creator and several top executives resign, while Intrepid Studios, the game's developer, moves forward with mass layoffs. The events have cast serious doubt on whether the game will continue development or see a full release.

Back to ashes: Was it the story of the biggest scam ever?

Steven Sharif, the co-founder and creative director of Ashes of Creation, publicly announced his resignation on January 31, 2026. In a statement shared with the game's community via discord, Sharif cited irreconcilable differences with the company's board of directors, claiming that he could no longer support the strategic decisions being imposed. "Control of the company has shifted away from me," he stated, expressing frustration over decisions that he described as unethical or misaligned with the project's original vision.

Following Sharif's departure, several other senior staff members, including key figures in leadership and communications, also stepped down. Reports indicate that the resignations triggered a broader leadership vacuum, leaving the studio without the experienced team that had guided development from the beginning.

In parallel, Intrepid Studios reportedly issued WARN Act notices to its employees, signaling imminent mass layoffs. These notices, required under U.S. law, suggest that a large portion of the studio's workforce could be terminated within 60 days. Sources indicate that the majority of Intrepid’s approximately 250 staff members have already been laid off, effectively halting the studio’s day-to-day operations.

Ashes of Creation had a long and highly anticipated development cycle, raising over $3 million through crowdfunding in 2017. The game entered Steam Early Access in December 2025, but the launch was met with mixed reviews and some community criticism regarding performance and gameplay features. Despite the initial excitement, recent developments have left players and backers shocked by the speed and scale of the organizational collapse.

The combination of the creator's resignation, the loss of top executives, and mass layoffs has led industry analysts and community members to speculate that Ashes of Creation may be effectively canceled. While Intrepid Studios has not officially confirmed the end of the project, the lack of leadership and depleted staff raises serious questions about the game's viability and future updates.

For backers and players, the immediate concerns involve server support, refund policies, and the fate of in-game content. The uncertainty has left the community in a state of confusion and frustration, with many turning to social media to express their disappointment and discuss possible outcomes. Also, there are quite a few players and analysts that consider that this all has been orchestrated as a ruse, which would make Ashes of Creation one of the biggest scam in the world of video games if proven true. In any case, as of early February 2026, the game servers remain operational, but the long-term prospects for Ashes of Creation remain unclear.

Possible alternatives

Until there is more information on this matter, it's safer to stay away from the game. However, this does not mean that the MMORPG genre is dead. The upcoming release of the World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion will revitalize the game with a surge of returning players, new mechanics, and a plethora of content. Also, Final Fantasy XIV maintains a sizeable player base and has plenty of content to explore, as well as Guild Wars 2. If you are looking for a classic experience Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen follows the steps of Everquest and it has advanced a lot since it entered Early Access via Steam. If you love MMORPGs, our comparator offers you quite a few to choose from at the best price.