Ashes of Creation, the newly-launched MMO from Intrepid Studios, has been withdrawn from sale on Steam, following reports of a significant dispute within studio management, and the reported closure of operations.
After a significant US$3.3 million Kickstarter campaign was held in 2017, the MMO was eventually launched in December 2025, with much anticipation backing its release. Even with this lengthy development timeline, it appears Ashes of Creation launched in a rough state – to the point where players began requesting refunds and accusing the company of wasting the money raised.
Months on from this feedback, Intrepid Studios has reportedly now been shut down entirely, although the situation is more complex than a simple early access fumble.
Ashes of Creation’s Steam withdrawal – quick links
Ashes of Creation director resigns ‘in protest’ of studio board
As first reported by PCGamesN, the drama around Ashes of Creation entered the mainstream when Intrepid Studios’ Director Steven Sharif issued a sudden Discord update for players in late January, alleging he had resigned from his position ‘in protest’ against decisions made by the studio’s board.
‘I can make a limited statement in my personal capacity and not on behalf of the company, regarding the situation,’ Sharif said. ‘Control of the company shifted away from me, and the Board began directing actions that I could not ethically agree with or carry out.’
‘As a result, I chose to resign in protest rather than lend my name or authority to decisions I could not ethically support.’
As further shared by Sharif, after his resignation, ‘much of the senior leadership team resigned’. Following these departures, the board of the studio allegedly made the decision to issue WARN Act notices to staff, initiating a mass layoff.
Several staff have recently taken to LinkedIn to confirm they’ve been laid off, with some stating Intrepid Studios had been shut down entirely.
‘I cannot responsibly speak to further details at this time due to ongoing legal and governance matters,’ Sharif claimed on Discord. ‘What I can say is that the developers and staff acted in good faith and deserved better than the uncertainty they are now facing. I am incredibly dismayed by the situation.’
What’s next for Ashes of Creation, and are refunds possible?
At this stage, the future of Intrepid Studios appears very uncertain. Based on Sharif’s statement and subsequent LinkedIn posts, it appears all staff have now been laid off and it’s possible there’s nobody left working on Ashes of Creation at all.
While Sharif makes reference to a company board, which likely now controls the game, it’s unclear whether they plan to continue development, or whether it will simply be abandoned.
Given Steam has taken the unusual step of removing the option to purchase the game, it does appear faith in the project and its longevity is low, and with Sharif mentioning possible legal action, the situation may be even more complex.
Those seeking a refund for Ashes of Creation will need to keep an eye on developments. While it does appear Steam is granting some refunds for players who purchased the game directly, those who gained a key from the initial Kickstarter may not have recourse.
For now, it’s a waiting game. There may be more to come on the status of Ashes of Creation, but as with most disputes, following legal processes will mean a slow, drawn-out journey to a solution.
