Studio of Former Mass Effect Director Closes, Cancels New Sci-Fi Game

The video game industry is taking another hit as we bid farewell to a promising studio that’s closing its doors before its debut game could even launch. Humanoid Origin, which was brought to life in 2021 by Casey Hudson—the mastermind behind the Mass Effect trilogy—has announced its shutdown. This unfortunate end also means that work on its anticipated triple-A sci-fi game is officially halted.

Casey Hudson, with an impressive two-decade career at BioWare, has been key to creating iconic space games like the Mass Effect series, along with titles such as Anthem and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Upon leaving BioWare for the second time, Hudson established Humanoid Origin, with ambitious plans to develop a “multiplatform AAA game” boasting a “character-driven narrative in a brand-new science-fiction universe.” From this description, many enthusiasts felt a spiritual successor to Mass Effect—or at least a game carrying that revered DNA—could have been on the horizon.

The revelation of the studio’s closure came today, November 25, via a LinkedIn announcement from Humanoid Origin.

The announcement did not shy away from the hard truth: “Earlier today, we informed our staff that Humanoid Origin will be shutting down,” it says. “Despite efforts to safeguard the studio from the industry’s broader challenges, an unexpected funding shortfall meant we couldn’t sustain operations.”

The message reflects on the disappointment: “We’re heartbroken that we will not be able to bring our new science-fiction universe to completion. Our main concern at this time, however, is for our team, and we are committed to supporting them in their transition to new employment.”

Although the studio made “incredible progress” after its inception three years ago, fans were left wanting more, never getting a glimpse beyond a few concept art pieces—no trailers or even a name for the debut game circulated.

With BioWare driving full speed ahead on the next Mass Effect sequel after Dragon Age The Veilguard, it’s disheartening for series fans to see a golden opportunity slip away. A fresh sci-fi universe with a character-driven narrative, helmed by one of Mass Effect’s original creators, would have been a dream come true. The tantalizing concept art makes it even more lamentable that this imaginative realm will remain unexplored.

Adding to the woes is the fact that many talented developers are now left in the lurch. Humanoid Origin now stands alongside Firewalk Studios (Concord), Arkane Austin (Redfall, Prey), and Ready at Dawn (The Order: 1886, various God of War titles) as developers shutting down in 2024. Other large studios, like Riot and Epic Games, have faced fierce headwinds, leading to workforce reductions but not full shutdowns. The Games Industry Layoffs tracker estimates that over 14,000 people have been laid off since the year began.

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