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The Shutting Down of Humanoid Origin Studio

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Former Mass Effect director Casey Hudson's studio has faced a difficult fate. After showing great promise with their sci-fi narrative adventure in development, they were forced to close due to a shortfall of funding. This decision has left the team heartbroken and uncertain about their future.

The Unfortunate Closure of a Promising Studio

Background and Setup

In 2021, Casey Hudson established his own studio, Humanoid Origin. With a focus on creating a multi-platform AAA game centered around character-driven narrative in a brand new science-fiction universe, they were making significant progress. Using Unreal Engine 5, they were actively hiring for various roles just six months ago. However, unexpected challenges in the industry led to a sudden shortage of funds.

Despite their efforts to shield the studio from these broader issues, the lack of sufficient financial support left them with no choice but to shut down. This is not an isolated incident; in recent months, we have seen several other studios facing similar fates. Sony shut down Firewalk Studios, and Tequila Works filed for insolvency. These closures highlight the challenging times that the gaming industry is currently experiencing.

The Announcement and Impact

Yesterday, Humanoid Origin posted the announcement of their closure on LinkedIn. The post stated, "Earlier today, we informed our staff that Humanoid Origin will be shutting down. Despite efforts to shield the studio from broader challenges in the industry, an unexpected shortfall of funding left us unable to sustain operations."

This news has had a profound impact on the team. They are now faced with the difficult task of transitioning to new employment. The studio had shown only a few pieces of concept art so far, which can still be seen on their website. These artworks give a glimpse into the world they were creating but leave us longing for more.

Casey Hudson's Journey

For those with a good memory, it may be recalled that this is not the first time Casey Hudson has left BioWare. He previously had a stint away from the company from 2014 to 2017 before returning as general manager. Now, with Humanoid Origin closing down, his future plans remain unknown.

It is a challenging time for the gaming industry as a whole. Job losses are on the rise, with estimates suggesting that there have been 14,000 layoffs so far this year. Some layoffs may go unreported, and freelance workers may also not be included in these figures. These closures mark a difficult autumn for developers, following a year that was already harsh.