Despite uncertainty surrounding the identity of its leader, the video game industry has just taken a significant blow, as Humanoid Origin, the latest studio founded by the creative force behind Mass Effect, is forced to shut down operations.
This week, the relentless drumbeat of layoff announcements continues, with yet another devastating report of closures and downsizings piling up year after year, leaving a trail of uncertainty and concern in its wake. In 2021, Casey Hudson, director of the groundbreaking Mass Effect trilogy and earlier leader at BioWare during the early days of Anthem, announced the formation of his new studio, Humanoid Origins, which is developing an all-new intellectual property. According to reports, the official LinkedIn webpage for Humanoid Origin sparked concern when it posted an update stating that it may shut down due to a lack of financial support, contradicting its initial success. “Earlier today, the company informed its employees that Humanoid Origin will be shutting down,” Despite our best attempts to shield the studio from industry-wide struggles, a sudden and unexpected dearth of financing ultimately left us with no choice but to cease operations.
“We’re devastated by the heartbreaking reality that we won’t be able to bring our ambitious science-fiction project to fruition.” As a top priority, our focus remains squarely on the well-being of our team members, with a steadfast commitment to empowering them through their transition into new professional opportunities. Throughout their tenure, the collective made remarkable strides, showcasing that exceptional achievements are possible when cultivating an environment of joy and innovation. We gratefully acknowledge their exceptional expertise, unwavering bravery, and enduring friendship. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been with us every step of the way.
This kind of disconcerting shift in circumstances is actually alarmingly common, making matters far more distressing. Funding has emerged as a significant challenge over the past year, compounded by the staggering 14,000+ job losses that have occurred just this year alone? Wishing everyone in the studio a successful and stable performance.
