Ashes of Creation

MMO Week in Review: Gorgon’s drama, TurtleWoW’s demise, Ashes’ docs

This week in the MMORPG genre saw significant drama and updates across various titles. Ashes of Creation's former boss released legal documents, Project Gorgon faced community backlash over bans, and TurtleWoW announced its closure following a lawsuit. Additionally, Book of Travels is transitioning to a solo offline game, while new content and updates arrived for games like Guild Wars 2, Final Fantasy XIV, and Elder Scrolls Online.

The Ashes of Creation debacle, explained

Ashes of Creation, an MMORPG developed by Intrepid Studios, has faced significant controversy and ultimately shut down shortly after its early access launch. Allegations of severe mismanagement of funds, including the alleged misuse of Kickstarter money for personal luxuries by co-founder Steven Sharif, have surfaced. Sharif has defended himself, claiming a hostile takeover attempt by the board of directors, though reports suggest he was the sole board member.

Project Gorgon’s Miraverre server has erupted in drama over player pop and moderation

Drama has erupted within the Project Gorgon MMORPG community, specifically concerning the Miraverre server's player population and moderation practices. A Reddit thread detailing a conflict between a player and moderator Jackencola, who allegedly told players to play Ashes of Creation if they were unhappy, has escalated. Elder Game developers Eric Heimburg and Lemons have addressed the situation, stating that only two players were banned for 180 days and several others temporarily gagged, disputing claims of mass bans.

Riot is "more committed to" the League of Legends MMO "than ever," co-founder says, but it did consider buying the now-dead Ashes of Creation

Riot Games co-founder Marc Merill confirmed the company considered acquiring Intrepid Studios, the developer of Ashes of Creation, but ultimately decided against it. Merill stated Riot remains committed to developing its own League of Legends MMO, despite past considerations of investing in or buying Intrepid Studios.

Ashes of Creation Director Responds

Ashes of Creation director Steven Sharif addressed recent claims about Intrepid Studios' finances, calling them "completely false" and "coordinated attacks." He described the ongoing situation as "one of the craziest stories gaming has ever seen."

Still struggling with its League of Legends MMO, Riot Games was reportedly willing to spend $250 million on acquiring…

Riot Games reportedly offered between $250 million and $500 million to acquire Intrepid Studios and its MMORPG, Ashes of Creation. The offer was revealed in court documents related to litigation involving Intrepid Studios CEO Steven Sharif. Ultimately, the acquisition did not go through, despite Riot's long-term plans for the game.

Morning Legal Briefs

Former Ashes of Creation boss Steven Sharif stated he was advised against a $250 million offer from Riot Games for the MMORPG. The article also briefly mentions unrelated news about a crypto kidnapping case in France.

Ex Ashes of Creation boss Steven Sharif claims he was advised against a $250 million proposal from Riot Games to buy the MMORPG

Former Intrepid Studios founder Steven Sharif has made new claims in the ongoing lawsuit surrounding Ashes of Creation, alleging he was advised against a $250 million acquisition offer from Riot Games. Sharif asserts he is the victim of a defamation campaign and has provided court filings with witness statements. The legal battle continues with multiple parties involved, including investors and other former employees.

Recent Ashes of Creation court filings reveal Riot tried to purchase Intrepid for $250 million

Recent court filings reveal that Riot Games explored acquiring Intrepid Studios, the developer of Ashes of Creation, for $250-500 million in 2022. At the time, Riot was heavily invested in its own MMORPG projects, including Hytale and a separate internal MMO, amidst a period of high player interest in the genre following the performance of games like New World and Lost Ark.

Ashes of Creation boss drops new evidence and allegations against Intrepid’s board, vows to finish the game

Intrepid Studios founder Steven Sharif has released extensive details and court filings addressing allegations of a board attempting to seize control of the company and defraud creditors. Sharif denies misappropriating funds, claims he and his husband invested millions, and vows to finish the game Ashes of Creation. The filings also include accusations against Robert Dawson and Jason Caramanis, and mention a past acquisition offer from Riot Games.

Founder of dead MMO Ashes of Creation denies blowing its Kickstarter fortune on trading cards, private chefs, and…

Steven Sharif, founder of Intrepid Studios, has denied accusations of misappropriating Kickstarter funds for the MMO Ashes of Creation. YouTuber NefasQS presented accounting details suggesting significant spending on personal luxuries, which Sharif claims are false and part of a smear campaign amidst ongoing legal disputes.

Ashes of Creation’s Steven Sharif says leaked ledger is an ‘effort to litigate this dispute in the public domain’

Steven Sharif of Intrepid Studios addressed a leaked ledger concerning Ashes of Creation, calling it an attempt to litigate a dispute publicly. He denied misappropriation of Kickstarter funds and personal misuse of company money, stating the project is funded through multiple sources including personal capital. Sharif claims the leaked information is false, defamatory, and selectively presented to create a false narrative, with active litigation already underway.

Intrepid CEO Disputes Fresh Ashes of Creation Allegations, Including Claims That Funds Were Spent on Everything From Magic: The Gathering Cards to a Personal Chef

Former Intrepid Studios CEO Steven Sharif has disputed allegations regarding the expenses of the ill-fated MMO Ashes of Creation. Claims suggest millions of dollars were spent on questionable purchases, including Magic: The Gathering cards and personal services, painting a picture of financial distress.

MMO Week in Review: EQ Legends’ beta, Ashes of Creation’s drama

This week's MMO news roundup covers the upcoming closed beta for EverQuest Legends and ongoing legal drama surrounding Ashes of Creation. Several other titles like AdventureQuest Worlds Infinity, Dune Awakening, and Temtem Pioneers also saw significant updates or funding news.

Defunct MMO studio founder allegedly spent Kickstarter funds on private chefs, antiques, and TCGs

Investor Jason Caramanis has accused Intrepid Studios founder Steven Sharif of misappropriating millions in Kickstarter funds intended for the defunct MMO Ashes of Creation. These funds were allegedly spent on personal items such as private chefs and antiques, following the studio's closure and the layoff of its entire team.

Rumor Mill

A report alleges that the failed MMO Ashes of Creation spent $3.2 million in Kickstarter funds on non-development expenses, including private chefs and trading cards. The game has been in development for an extended period without a full release.

Make My MMO: AQWI’s $2M Kickstarter haul, Camelot Unchained’s weird early access

Ashes of Creation’s alleged expense ledger has been leaked to ruin your weekend

An alleged expense ledger from Intrepid Studios, the developer of Ashes of Creation, has been leaked, purportedly detailing financial mismanagement by studio head Steven Sharif. The ledger, shared by YouTuber NefasQS, allegedly covers expenses from 2015 to 2025, including personal expenditures and low employee payroll relative to the cost of living. Sharif had previously denied financial wrongdoing in response to lawsuits.

Massively Overthinking: Should gamers shut up about MMOs they don’t play?

Former Blizzard developer Jeff Kaplan stated that gamers should refrain from commenting on games they have not played, a sentiment echoed by some and debated by others. While some agree that uninformed criticism is detrimental, others argue that feedback from non-players can still be valuable for game development and community discourse.

Make My MMO: AQW Infinity’s massive Kickstarter haul, Ashes of Creation in limbo

AdventureQuest Worlds Infinity's Kickstarter has surpassed $1.3 million, making it a significant crowdfunding success. The article also notes other crowdfunded MMOs, including the successful Darkhaven and the ongoing legal battles and player count issues surrounding Ashes of Creation.