Even Mass Effect’s Director Struggles in Today’s Gaming Industry as His Studio and New Sci-Fi Game Shut Down

The gaming industry is proving to be an exceptionally challenging arena lately, with many facing tough times, including Humanoid Origin, the new studio helmed by the Mass Effect director, now facing closure.

It seems like hardly a week has gone by in the past year without news of layoffs or studio shutdowns, and unfortunately, this is another one of those weeks. Back in 2021, Casey Hudson, known for spearheading the original Mass Effect trilogy (and having a pivotal role in the early stages of Anthem, which faced mixed reviews), announced the creation of his new venture, Humanoid Origin. The studio was supposed to work on a fresh and exciting IP. But now, as of yesterday, Humanoid Origin’s official LinkedIn page confirmed the studio’s impending closure, revealing that an unexpected shortage of funds has made it impossible to continue operations.

Their statement began with, “Earlier today, we informed our staff that Humanoid Origin will be shutting down.” The post continued to explain, “Despite efforts to shield the studio from broader challenges in the industry, an unexpected shortfall of funding left us unable to sustain operations.”

Their message carried a somber tone, emphasizing the disappointment of not being able to see their new sci-fi universe reach completion. Still, their primary focus is on assisting their team in finding new employment opportunities. They expressed immense gratitude for their team’s hard work, stating, “Our team achieved incredible progress, and demonstrated that it’s possible to do amazing work while fostering a culture of fun and creativity. We thank them for their talent, courage, and friendship. Thank you to everyone who supported us throughout our journey.”

This situation is truly disheartening, made even more so by how common it seems to have become. Beyond the 14,000+ layoffs reported in just 2024, funding woes have been a pressing concern. Here’s hoping each member of the Humanoid Origin team finds new opportunities swiftly.