The future of Ashes of Creation took a dramatic turn this week, leaving fans and industry watchers stunned. Ashes of Creation saw its creative director and co-founder step down from leadership in a highly publicized departure that coincided with wide-ranging changes at developer Intrepid Studios. The developments have sparked intense discussion about what lies ahead for the ambitious MMORPG.
The upheaval began when Steven Sharif, long positioned as the public face and guiding creative force behind the project, announced his resignation from Intrepid’s leadership. According to his statement, the decision came after a significant shift in control at the studio that he could not support. Within hours of his departure, reports emerged that much of the senior leadership team had also left. Shortly thereafter, what were described as mass layoffs at the company followed, compounding uncertainty about the studio’s direction and capacity to deliver on its promises.
If you follow MMO development or have invested time and resources into Ashes of Creation, keep reading to understand what these changes mean for the game and its community.
Share your thoughts on what Intrepid should do next and how this affects your expectations for Ashes of Creation.
Leadership Shift Sparks Sudden Departure
Steven Sharif’s resignation announcement was stark and unambiguous. In a personal message, he explained that leadership control had shifted away from him and that he felt compelled to step down because he could not ethically align himself with decisions made by the board of directors. He framed his departure as a matter of principle, choosing not to lend his name or authority to actions he disagreed with.
According to Sharif, the board’s new direction was fundamentally at odds with his sense of responsibility to the team and the broader Ashes of Creation community. His words made clear that the decision was not made lightly, and that he deeply regretted the situation that had prompted it.
Within the same announcement, he noted that the departure of much of the senior leadership team followed his own exit. This chain reaction amplified the scale of the personnel changes and raised questions about Intrepid’s operational stability going forward.
Layoffs and Organizational Upheaval
Shortly after leadership changes were made public, the studio reportedly issued WARN Act notices and undertook what some described as “mass layoffs.” Details on the total number of employees affected have been murky, and Intrepid has not released a public breakdown of the latest staffing impact. The only on-record confirmation of team reductions came through community discussions and social media reactions.
Earlier this month, Sharif had acknowledged a much smaller round of layoffs affecting nine people, characterizing those as targeted team adjustments rather than indicative of the game’s overall health or future prospects. These earlier workforce changes were not portrayed as large-scale and were framed as part of regular development team evolution.
The sudden resignation and broader layoffs, however, appear to represent a more sweeping shift at the studio, extending beyond what had been previously disclosed. Reports on community forums indicate that many staff members have since updated their professional profiles stating they are open for new opportunities, a strong indicator that Intrepid may be operating with a considerably smaller workforce than before.
Community Reaction and Industry Impact
The Ashes of Creation community has reacted with intense emotion to recent developments. Players who supported the game through Kickstarter and those participating in early access expressed concern, confusion, and frustration across forums and social platforms.
Many longtime followers of the project are grappling with questions about the MMO’s development timeline, its ability to continue evolving in meaningful ways, and what the leadership departure means for community engagement and transparency. The once-tight-knit base of supporters was vocal about their disappointment, particularly because Ashes of Creation was positioned as a passion project that embraced community input and developmental openness.
Industry observers, meanwhile, highlight that leadership changes and layoffs are not unique to this case, pointing to broader pressures in the gaming sector. However, the timing in relation to Ashes of Creation’s ongoing early access phase adds a layer of complexity. Many games weather internal restructuring without public blips, but when leadership exits are so visible and coincide with workforce reductions, they inevitably prompt speculation about internal stability and long-term viability.
What This Means for Ashes of Creation
The ramifications of these changes for Ashes of Creation are still evolving. Without a clear roadmap from Intrepid’s board or remaining leadership, the community is left to interpret shifting signals. The project’s early access launch had been met with mixed critical and player feedback, and these recent upheavals only intensify questions about how the team will address ongoing development challenges.
For players invested in the MMO, the central fears revolve around delays, potential scaling back of promised content, or a complete halt to development if the studio’s resources are significantly depleted. Historically, project teams facing major internal turnover and layoffs can struggle to maintain momentum, especially for projects as ambitious as Ashes of Creation, which relies on collaborative design and extensive content pipelines.
At the same time, absent explicit statements from Intrepid on next steps, there remains a sliver of optimism that restructuring could lead to a more streamlined path forward. Some in the community stress patience and hope for clarifying communication from the studio.
Looking Ahead: What Fans Want and Need
The Ashes of Creation fanbase is vocal and deeply engaged, and many are demanding more transparency about future plans. Playtest schedules, content roadmaps, refund policies for backers, and leadership outlines are among the most frequently requested clarifications.
One core community concern is whether early access will continue under a revised team, or whether the project will shift into maintenance mode without further major updates. Others are watching for any indication of refund plans if the MMO ultimately cannot meet its launch goals.
What remains clear is this: the dedicated players of Ashes of Creation want reassurance that their support — whether through funding, playtime, or community engagement — still matters. How Intrepid Studios responds in the coming days and weeks could determine whether trust can be rebuilt or whether the MMO’s future becomes increasingly uncertain.
Tell us what you think about this turning point for Ashes of Creation and what steps you’d like to see next from the studio.