The future of Ashes of Creation has been thrown into doubt following a dramatic leadership exit and confirmed staff layoffs at the studio behind the long running MMORPG, a development that has unsettled players across the UK and Europe.
Steven Sharif, the game’s creative director and co-founder, announced this week that he had resigned “in protest” after control of the company shifted to its board. In a message shared with the community, Sharif said he could not ethically support the direction being taken and confirmed that several members of the senior leadership team stepped down alongside him.
Shortly afterwards, the studio issued formal redundancy notices under US employment law, signalling large-scale layoffs. While the company has not publicly detailed the full impact, the move represents the most serious disruption in Ashes of Creation’s decade-long development.
Why this matters for UK players
For UK gamers, the timing is especially significant. Ashes of Creation entered Steam Early Access in late 2025, attracting a sizeable British audience drawn by its promise of a player-driven sandbox world. Many paid for early access with the expectation of long-term development and regular updates.
The leadership exit introduces uncertainty at a critical stage. Early Access projects rely heavily on consistent direction and developer communication, and UK players traditionally cautious but loyal when trust is established are now questioning whether the roadmap presented only weeks ago can realistically be delivered.
At present, the game remains online, and there has been no announcement of server closures. However, the absence of clarity around staffing levels and leadership raises concerns about how much active development can continue in the short term.
What has been confirmed so far
What is known is limited but serious. Sharif has confirmed his resignation and cited disagreements with the board. He has also stated that multiple senior leaders followed him out of the company. The studio has acknowledged layoffs through legally required notices, but has not specified numbers or timelines.
Crucially, there has been no official statement confirming a shutdown of Ashes of Creation or the end of development. As things stand, the project exists in a state of uncertainty rather than confirmed collapse.
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A project already under pressure
Ashes of Creation has faced scrutiny before. Announced in 2016, the game’s extended development cycle, engine transition, and shifting timelines have tested community patience. While recent updates focused on stabilisation and technical fixes rather than major new features, many players accepted this as part of a typical Early Access phase.
This week’s events, however, suggest deeper internal strain than previously acknowledged. For UK MMO players accustomed to long-running titles like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV, the situation highlights the risks involved when ambitious independent projects attempt to compete at the same scale.
Community reaction across Britain and Europe
Reaction from the player base has been mixed but measured. Some see the resignation as a warning sign that the project may struggle to recover. Others argue that it is too early to draw conclusions and are waiting for a formal update from whoever assumes leadership going forward.
What stands out from a UK perspective is the absence of panic. Instead, there is a sense of disappointment and caution, with many players emphasising the need for transparency before deciding whether to continue investing time in the game.
What happens next
The studio’s next official communication will be critical. Players will be looking for clear answers on who is now leading development, how many staff remain, and whether the existing roadmap for Ashes of Creation is still achievable.
Until then, the MMORPG remains playable but directionless. For a game built around the idea that player actions shape the world, the most important decisions now sit firmly behind the scenes.
For UK players, the coming weeks will determine whether Ashes of Creation can stabilise and rebuild confidence or whether this moment marks the beginning of a much quieter future for one of the genre’s most ambitious projects.
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