Ashes of Creation future uncertain following mass layoffs and resignation

The future of Ashes of Creation appears uncertain after its founder resigned and the studio began mass layoffs.

The massively multiplayer online role-playing game was first announced in 2016 and raised more than $3.25 million through crowdfunding in 2017.

A closed alpha launched in 2021, followed by a switch from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5 and a second alpha release on Steam in 2025.

This week, founder and chief executive officer Steven Sharif announced his resignation in a message posted on the game’s official Discord server.

Sharif said he stepped down after the board of directors took control of the company and made decisions he could not support.

“I can make a limited statement in my personal capacity and not on behalf of the company, regarding the situation,” Sharif wrote on Discord.

“Control of the company shifted away from me, and the Board began directing actions that I could not ethically agree with or carry out.”

Sharif said he resigned in protest followed by the departure of much of the senior leadership team.

“Following my resignation, much of the senior leadership team resigned,” he wrote.

“Following those departures, the Board made the decision to issue WARN Act notices and proceed with a mass layoff.”

A WARN Act notice typically signals large-scale layoffs. Reports suggest more than 200 developers may have been affected, effectively halting development of the game.

“I cannot responsibly speak to further details at this time due to ongoing legal and governance matters,” Sharif added.

“What I can say is that the developers and staff acted in good faith and deserved better than the uncertainty they are now facing.”