Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Ashes of Creation entered Steam Early Access on December 11, 2025, as an unfinished alpha—not a completed release. In the weeks that followed, founder Steven Sharif said he resigned in protest and that much of the senior leadership team left. On February 10, 2026, Game Developer reported that a California WARN notice confirmed Intrepid Studios’ permanent closure and 123 job losses.
What launched in December 2025?
The game’s Steam Early Access began December 11, 2025, according to the official Early Access guide. The announcement described the release as an active testing phase in which progression, systems, and features could change.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Pathfinder Arena: Age of Ashes Board Game Expansion | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Chronos: Before the Ashes - PlayStation 4 (PS4) | $34.95 | Buy on Amazon |
Steam’s store page likewise described an alpha with unstable builds, incomplete content, and continued development as expected. The December launch was therefore an Early Access test, not the arrival of a finished MMO.
Why did the senior team leave?
Steven Sharif, Intrepid Studios co-founder and Ashes of Creation creative director, gave his account in a personal Discord statement reproduced by Game Developer. He said control of the company had shifted away from him and that the board began directing actions he could not ethically support. “Control of the company shifted away from me, and the Board began directing actions that I could not ethically agree with or carry out,” he said.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- EXPAND YOUR ADVENTURES: Bring the 'Age of Ashes' to your Pathfinder Arena with new challenges including a unique hero, Nketiah, and four new monsters like the Skeletal Hellcrown and Dragonshard Golem.
- IMMERSE IN DEPTH: Experience intricate gameplay with a cooperative campaign, enhancing your strategic options and expanding the core game’s narrative.
- DYNAMIC GAME ELEMENTS: Introduces complex engine-building mechanics and a solo gameplay option, perfect for deep tactical planning and solo challenges.
- HIGH-QUALITY COMPONENTS: Includes 1 unique iconic hero figure, 4 unique monster figures, 10 tokens, and 20 game-enhancing cards.
- PERFECT FOR PATHFINDER FANS: Ideal for fans of the Pathfinder universe, especially those familiar with the 'Age of Ashes' adventure path from Pathfinder 2nd edition.
Sharif said he resigned in protest and that much of the senior leadership team resigned after him. He also said the board decided to issue WARN Act notices and proceed with a mass layoff. These are Sharif’s statements about the internal dispute; the available reporting does not independently establish the board’s reasoning or verify his account of its conduct.
What is confirmed about Intrepid Studios’ closure?
On February 2, 2026, Game Informer reported employee departure posts and the developing shutdown reports, while noting that Intrepid had not officially announced a closure at that point. The report also said a planned February 13 development update was uncertain. That article was a snapshot of the situation then, not the final confirmation.
Game Developer’s February 10 update subsequently reported that a California WARN notice confirmed Intrepid Studios’ permanent closure and indicated that 123 people lost their jobs. That later notice is the strongest confirmation in the available reporting.
Rank #2
- Adventure RPG - refreshing combination of adventure game elements and RPG mechanics
- deep combat - A variety of weapons, abilities and powers are available to the player in the pursuit of their quest
- unique aging mechanic - every time the player dies they Age one year. Players must adapt to their advancing Age as they progress their character
- starting the game young, nimble and quick, and ending wise and more attuned to magic
Game Developer also reported that the game’s 2017 Kickstarter campaign raised more than $3.2 million from almost 20,000 backers. That figure describes the campaign only; it does not establish the project’s total funding or revenue.
Can players still buy or play Ashes of Creation?
The cited Steam listing documents the game’s Early Access status and its testing-phase caveats, but it does not establish whether the game is currently for sale or playable after the studio’s closure. The available reporting also does not verify who, if anyone, operates the servers, whether they remain online, or whether a post-closure development plan exists. Treat claims about present access or continued development as unconfirmed unless supported by newer information.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
