Steam has started offering refunds for pre-orders of Ashes of Creation, an unusual step that deviates from its usual refund policy and reflects mounting concerns about the stability of Intrepid Studios. Typically, Valve only allows returns within 14 days of purchase or two hours of gameplay, but the recent exodus of key personnel from the studio seems to have triggered an exception for backers of the high-profile MMORPG.
The situation came to light as multiple senior team members updated their LinkedIn profiles to indicate they had left the company. Particularly notable was the departure of Margaret Krohn, former Head of Marketing, who later shared additional context on social media. Her exit, along with others listing themselves as job-seeking, points to a substantial internal breakdown—one that Intrepid has not yet addressed through official statements.
This abrupt loss of core staff has left the Ashes of Creation community deeply unsettled. The game, which has drawn millions in funding through crowdfunding and pre-orders based on its vision of a dynamic, player-driven world, now faces growing uncertainty. With leadership remaining silent, early supporters—often crucial to the financial sustainability of large indie projects—are left questioning the future of development and the likelihood of a timely release.
Steam’s decision to intervene and process refunds manually is uncommon and generally reserved for cases where a project’s survival appears at risk. By overriding standard protocols to assist dissatisfied customers, the platform is effectively recognizing the recent turmoil as a valid cause for concern. As attention turns to Intrepid’s next steps, the broader industry is watching closely to see whether the remaining team can regain footing—or if this signals the decline of one of the most eagerly awaited independent MMOs in years.
Source: Steam, Kickstarter
