Right now, it feels like the gaming industry is facing one challenge after another, and Humanoid Origin, founded by the director behind Mass Effect, is the latest casualty.
It seems like every week brings a fresh wave of unfortunate news in the gaming world—whether it’s layoffs, studio closures, or other setbacks—and sadly, this week is no exception. Back in 2021, Casey Hudson, who led the original Mass Effect trilogy and was involved in the less successful Anthem, announced his new venture, Humanoid Origin. The studio aimed to develop an exciting “all-new IP.” However, that dream has been cut short as Humanoid Origin just shared through its LinkedIn page that it’s closing due to insufficient funding. “Earlier today, we informed our staff that Humanoid Origin will be shutting down,” the announcement stated. “Despite our efforts to protect our studio from industry-wide difficulties, an unexpected funding gap has made it impossible to continue operations.”
As much as it breaks our hearts to see this sci-fi universe remain unfinished, the main focus now is on the team members. The statement continued, “We are committed to helping our team transition to new opportunities. During our time together, we made incredible strides, proving that we could create outstanding work while maintaining a culture of fun and creativity. We are deeply grateful for their talent, bravery, and camaraderie. Thank you to everyone who supported us along our journey.”
It’s undeniably disheartening to hear this news, especially since it’s becoming an all-too-familiar occurrence. Funding difficulties have increasingly plagued the industry alongside the staggering 14,000-plus layoffs that have already happened this year alone. Here’s hoping everyone at Humanoid Origin finds new paths and lands on their feet swiftly.
