The big bang of Ashes of Creation came very suddenly for many players despite long warnings. But what happened behind the scenes has been unclear until now. A YouTuber claims to know what really happened.
Who is it about? YouTuber Kira focuses on the backgrounds and news related to MMORPGs and other online games on his channel. He has published a lot of content about Ashes of Creation and has repeatedly warned about problems.
His credibility is based on an internal source that had correctly predicted the surprising Steam release back in November. In his latest video, he talks about the background of Ashes of Creation and the recent developments surrounding the MMORPG.
The MMORPG is currently still playable:
New owners for Ashes of Creation
What does the YouTuber explain? Citing the source that had already predicted the Steam release for him, Kira explains that the development studio “Intrepid Studios”, which is behind Ashes of Creation, has been sold to a “private equity” firm.
“Private equity” firms are investors who buy companies to make profits. According to the YouTuber, these new owners are believed to have different plans for the future of Ashes of Creation than the former CEO.
According to Kira, there was actually an internal plan on January 29 to continue development with around 70 employees and outsource it to a more cost-effective location. However, this plan reportedly did not last 24 hours.
The YouTuber reports that events escalated: Founder Steven Sharif stepped down, and the remaining board then decided against the “small team” and for the “nuclear option”.
According to a document that Kira cites in the video, the current status is no longer outsourcing, but a “complete and permanent closure of operations”. The idea of cheaply continuing development abroad is currently off the table, and total closure is on the horizon, according to Kira.
Steven Sharif himself is largely silent for “legal reasons” at the moment, but he recently wrote on Discord:
“Please wait until more facts are available before drawing such conclusions. The internet is not exactly patient, but unfortunately, the legal process requires patience. You cannot imagine how hard it is for me to stay silent. But I must do so. When the documents are published, there will be clearer facts to refer to.”
Steven Sharif on Discord
Here you can watch the full video:
The employees before the wreckage
What happens to the employees? The employees are likely to be the biggest victims of the conflict. According to the termination letter that has been made available to the YouTuber, employment for all positions and titles will end at the close of business on February 2, 2026.
The allegations Kira raises here are serious: According to his information, employees are said to receive neither their last regular monthly salary nor bonuses for achieved alpha goals, severance payments, or payout of vacation entitlements. They are said to reportedly find themselves without pay from one day to the next.
Whether Ashes of Creation has any future at all remains questionable. The YouTuber’s information is based on leaks and internal documents. However, if these turn out to be true, the dream of the MMORPG in its original form is likely history. During the first layoffs, the boss tried to calm down: The studio behind Ashes of Creation had layoffs, the studio head reassures fans of the MMORPG
