According to a recent message posted on the game’s Discord server, Intrepid Studios, the developer behind the MMORPG Ashes of Creation, has been affected by staff layoffs and resignations. In a message on the game’s official Discord server, Sharif said he resigned “in protest” after control of the company was “shifted away from me” and the board of directors began making decisions he could not ethically support.
𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍
What some players thought would be the answer to all their MMO questions has come to an abrupt end with Game Director for Ashes of Creation (@StevenJSharif) stepping down.
The news comes after more… pic.twitter.com/q1q53dJX0x
— N_Tys (@N_Tys26) February 1, 2026
Sharif’s departure was soon followed by the resignations of much of the senior leadership team. After these exits, the board reportedly issued WARN Act notices and initiated mass layoffs affecting a large portion of the studio’s staff. A WARN Act notice is typically issued when a company anticipates large-scale layoffs and is required to give employees advance notice. While the exact number of affected employees has not been officially confirmed, multiple sources suggest the layoffs may involve more than 200 developers, raising concerns that active development of the game could be halted. Communications Director Margaret Krohn confirmed via LinkedIn that she is no longer with the company, supporting reports of widespread departures.
Additionally, an internal communication shared on social media also indicated that the company’s expected payroll scheduled for February 1 will not be processed due to Intrepid’s current financial position, meaning many employees were informed they would not receive that pay.
Some community members have publicly questioned the situation, including pointing to public business registration information showing Sharif listed as the sole board member and CEO with John Moore named as CFO, which has led to speculation and criticism from players. However, there has been no official confirmation from Intrepid Studios clarifying the current board composition beyond Sharif’s statement. This has fueled claims from some players that the situation may be a scam, leading to calls for refunds and suggestions of class action lawsuits to recover funds. This situation almost assuredly means the MMORPG will likely be shut down soon, but for now, the game is currently available on Steam.
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