Ashes of Creation pulled from Steam after Intrepid layoffs and creative director exit

This caught my attention because Ashes of Creation was one of the few crowd‑funded MMOs that still felt like it could deliver the big, player-driven sandbox many of us keep hoping for. Seeing it quietly removed from sale while the studio collapses is the kind of industry drama that signals real trouble – and it’s something anyone who’s shelled out money should track closely.

Ashes of Creation removed from Steam following Intrepid Studios layoffs and creative director resignation

Key takeaways

• Ashes of Creation is no longer purchasable on Steam as of Feb. 3; the store page remains visible but buyers cannot complete a purchase.
• Removal follows mass layoffs, a studio closure and the resignation of creative director Steven Sharif, who publicly blamed the board for directing actions he “could not ethically agree with.”
• Kickstarter backers and early-access purchasers face uncertainty about refunds – the original Kickstarter promised refunds if the game never launched, but the project existed in alpha/early-access territory.
• Valve has begun responding to some refund inquiries, but outcomes remain unresolved; players should act quickly if they want refunds.

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Publisher|Intrepid Studios
Release Date|Early access / persistent alpha (early access launch prior to 2024)
Category|MMORPG
Platform|PC (Steam)
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What happened – the facts as they stand

Over the past week Intrepid Studios announced mass layoffs and a studio closure, and creative director Steven Sharif resigned, claiming the company’s board “began directing actions that [he] could not ethically agree with or carry out.” In the immediate fallout, the Ashes of Creation Steam store page stayed live, but as of Tuesday, February 3 the game can no longer be purchased. The page still displays a final letter and advertises a proposed developer stream on Friday, February 13.

Why the Steam removal matters

Taking a product off the storefront is a clear signal. It can be a temporary, precautionary measure while legal or financial issues are sorted, or it can be an early step toward winding down sales as a studio collapses. For customers, the immediate consequence is the inability to buy the game and the risk that funds tied to community promises (Kickstarter refunds, preorders, and one‑time purchase income) could become harder to recover.

The timing — a removal after public resignations and layoffs — leans toward the more severe interpretation. If Intrepid has closed parts of the business or lost key leadership, the resources required to sustain an online MMO are likely compromised.

Refunds and backer concerns — what to do

Kickstarter backers point to a promise: “in the case that Ashes of Creation does NOT launch, we promise to refund all backers in full.” That pledge becomes complicated when a project has existed as a playable alpha/early-access product. Kickstarter refunds hinge on the campaign’s specific language and whether the project is considered to have delivered on its core promise.

For players who bought on Steam, start with Valve support immediately. While Valve’s automated refund policy centers on a two-hour playtime rule, support tickets that explain extraordinary circumstances (studio collapse, inability to access services) have sometimes prompted manual reviews. Several players report responses from Valve stating the issue is being investigated — that’s promising but not a guaranteed refund.

Other routes: keep an eye on Kickstarter and Intrepid’s official channels for refund guidance; document receipts and communications; and be cautious about chargebacks (they carry risks and may complicate later restitution). Avoid buying keys from third parties while the situation is unresolved.

Context — why this fits a worrying pattern for MMOs

MMOs are expensive to build and maintain; we’ve seen high-profile collapses, long delays and murky accounting in the space before. Ashes of Creation raised roughly $3.2 million on Kickstarter and carried a lot of community goodwill — not to mention comparisons to other aspirational projects like Star Citizen. That funding is meaningful but not always sufficient for a full MMO lifecycle. The combination of management disputes, layoffs and storefront removal looks like another cautionary tale: passion and crowdfunding can get a game started, but scale and sustained operation require tight governance and steady capital.

What this means for players and the genre

If you purchased Ashes of Creation recently, open a Steam support ticket now and keep records. If you’re a Kickstarter backer, watch the campaign updates and community channels for formal refund procedures. For the broader MMO community, this is another reminder to be cautious with preorders and crowdfunding pledges: enthusiasm is vital, but so is healthy skepticism about timelines, leadership stability and ongoing funding.

TL;DR

Ashes of Creation was removed from Steam purchases after Intrepid Studios suffered mass layoffs, a studio closure and the resignation of creative director Steven Sharif. The removal raises immediate refund and Kickstarter‑backer concerns. If you spent money on the game, contact Steam support, save receipts and watch official channels — the situation is unresolved and could indicate serious trouble for the project.