Indie MMO Ashes of Creation launched on Steam Early Access this past December, and I’m not sure that it’s gone over especially well overall. The game has a “Mixed” reception among English-language players, and recent reviews are “Mostly Negative.”
That’s never fun, but it’s less of an issue than losing most of its dev team in a hostile bid to make something which sounds comparatively soulless. In fact, there’s really nothing more serious in this industry—in most industries—than job losses. Thus, it gives me no pleasure to report that key individuals have departed Intrepid Studios. And, yep, layoffs are happening. Because of course.
Ashes To Ashes, Bleh
Let’s get straight into Steven Sharif’s message. It was posted in Ashes of Creation’s official Discord server, and it’s been independently verified through several sources, including WCCFTech. It’s a hell of a sobering read:
“I can make a limited statement in my personal capacity and not on behalf of the company, regarding the situation. 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. Following my resignation, much of the senior leadership team resigned. Following those departures, the Board made the decision to issue WARN Act notices and proceed with a mass layoff.” -Intrepid Studios founder, and former Ashes of Creation director, Steven Sharif
Well, damn. Control was wrested from Sherif. Actions he could not ethically agree with sounded remarkably rough; perhaps downright suspicious. We, of course, only have Sharif’s word on that. And, as he explains, he has to be nebulous about all of this. I’m half-inclined to benefit-of-the-doubt all of this, but there’s a caveat—which I’ll get into in a bit.
“I cannot responsibly speak to further details at this time due to ongoing legal and governance matters. 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 can be said, really? My heart goes out to all of those affected. Except that there’s something a bit peculiar about “the Board,” as Sharif describes the business entity which made this decision. I’m happy to update this article if this is explained satisfactorily, by the way, but…
…That’s odd. Per the State of California’s records, the only members of this “Board” would be Sharif and his husband. Look, I’m no legal expert, nor do I pretend to be one. That’s why I couch this stuff in clarifiers; when it comes to this particular brand of reporting, I want everybody to keep an open mind. Maybe there is, indeed, an explanation. At first blush, though? Odd, indeed. Whatever’s going on, whether it matches Sharif’s notes to a tee or otherwise, it’s obvious that Ashes of Creation is crumbling. A shame.
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Understandable.
