The current situation of the MMO Ashes of Creation, funded through Kickstarter, has generated a climate of concern among its followers. The game, which was launched in early access in December after a successful fundraising campaign of nearly 3.3 million dollars in 2017, faces significant challenges following the resignation of its leadership and massive layoffs.
An administrative disaster
The departure of Intrepid Studios’ director, Steven Sharif, has sparked a wave of concern. Sharif left the company in protest against the takeover by the Board of Directors, which asked him to carry out orders deemed unethical. This event was followed by the resignation of much of the management team, leading the company to notify mass layoffs to the remaining employees. The former communications manager, Margaret Krohn, has expressed on social media her uncertainty about the future of the game and her team.
As the gaming community feels betrayed, many have begun to request refunds, especially those who purchased the game on Steam. Although Steam’s policy generally denies refunds for games played for more than two hours, there are exceptions. Some users have managed to receive refunds despite the restrictions by sharing accounts of their experience and using alternative strategies to communicate with technical support.
Intrepid Studios has announced an upcoming update stream to address player concerns and provide clarity on the future of Ashes of Creation development. However, the sentiment in the community is one of distrust, and the lack of communication has led many to question whether their investment has been worth it.
