Steven Sharif
@StevenJSharif • 14,878 subscribers
Founder of Intrepid Studios, Creative Director for @AshesofCreation
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Last week, we announced that Ashes of Creation will be entering Steam Early Access on December 11th. It’s a milestone years in the making, and an opportunity to bring a wider audience into the world we’ve been building and to carry that momentum with us as we push toward Beta next year. It comes at a time when the climate for western game studios has been anything but gentle. I’ve watched projects I was personally excited for, some built on beloved IPs with veteran leaders and large publishers, close their doors in the MMORPG space. And yet, despite the challenges, the demand for meaningful, ambitious online worlds remains as strong as ever. The landscape is shifting. The rise of AI-assisted development, globalized talent markets, and a funding environment increasingly geared toward leaner teams and tighter scopes has left many in our genre asking whether the golden age of MMOs is behind us. I don’t believe that for a moment. Not only do I think the best days for MMOs aren’t over, I believe the next era of the genre is just beginning, shaped by teams willing to take risks, innovate boldly, and resist the pressure to dilute vision in the name of convenience or market data. We’ve chosen a player-first approach since day one. Open development, real feedback, and a willingness to iterate in the open. It’s slower, harder, and far more vulnerable, but we believe it can create better games. I’m endlessly grateful, to our team, our community, and every person who’s believed in this vision. None of this happens without you. See you on the 11th 💪❤️
Steven Sharif130,238 views • 6 months ago
On the eve of our Steam Early Access launch tomorrow, there’s a certain quiet that settles over the team. Not silence exactly, but a calm before the storm. It’s a moment where everyone has done everything they can to prepare, and now we brace for impact. Developing an MMORPG like Ashes is filled with battles most never see, victories measured in lines of code, art passes, design revisions, late nights, and the stubborn belief that a world can be built from nothing but imagination and will. Alpha and Beta are skirmishes along the way. Campaigns where we’ve invited others into the fight, where our players become part of the team, helping shape the battlefield alongside us. Tonight feels like that moment before stepping onto the bridge… a quiet walk through the ship… taking stock of everyone who brought us this far, and everyone who’s about to join us tomorrow. It brings to mind a poignant scene, a captain facing overwhelming odds being asked why he bothers with this quiet ritual before battle. His answer was simple: “We may yet prevail.” As we approach tomorrow, I feel a steady confidence in what’s ahead. Not loud, not boastful, just the calm knowing that thousands of hands and hearts helped bring us here. Early Access will test us, teach us, and strengthen us. And I’m grateful to be taking that step with all of you. See you soon in Verra. 💪
Steven Sharif84,702 views • 5 months ago
Yesterday was a big day for Intrepid. We hit the end of a significant development milestone, and are kicking off the next big chapter of our internal roadmap. We’ve flown our remote teams out to the studio for a week of planning and review, and we got to enjoy a wonderful day of festivities together. None of this would be possible without the fantastic culture we've cultivated at our studio. Our team is more than just colleagues; we're a family of absolute nerds united by a shared vision and boundless passion for the MMORPG genre.💪🎉❤️
Steven Sharif60,547 views • 2 years ago
For many people, development updates on Ashes is an opportunity to checkin with the project’s progress. It can be exciting, and a fun experience to sit down and watch a dream take form and come together. Functionally, these touch points offer a way for players to provide constructive feedback and help validate direction. But there is another side to this process, that perhaps goes unnoticed… Each milestone, Intrepid comes together and celebrates our accomplishments. We reflect on the work we’ve done towards delivering on our goals. This culminates into a day long town hall where we review, as a company, our strengths and weaknesses. Introspectively we carry forward changes we need to make, in order to execute better and exemplify the things that worked well. Each town hall, opens with a sizzle video of our community and their thoughts on what they saw us deliver. Some may not know it, but at Intrepid, our livestream day is watching and reading what you all think of our work. That is what motivates us, and why I believe Intrepid will succeed. Congrats to the team, on a very successful Milestone 8 completion. Onward and forward to Milestone 9! 💪❤️🙏
Steven Sharif36,613 views • 2 years ago
My Glorious friends, As the sounds of love, laughter and joy (and jubilant political discussions) echo through our homes and the holiday spirit fills the air, I wanted to take a moment to share some good tidings from the Intrepid family! 🎄🎅☃️ I often reflect on the year in retrospect during the holidays, and this year in particular has seen some pretty incredible growth and progress. Our studio has expanded to over 170 passionate and incredibly talented MMO developers, who are working tirelessly to craft the immersive world of Ashes. I, more so than anyone, understand the anticipation that comes with waiting for Ashes, and our community’s patience along with the unwavering enthusiasm we continue to see, is a gift to us. That enthusiasm is the copium we puff that keeps our team committed to delivering an MMORPG experience that will make you proud, and the wait worthwhile. And I know with our monthly updates on development, you can see that community engagement has always been at the heart of our development journey, even since day one. It is a piece of what sets Intrepid apart from many of our peers. Your feedback and discussions have shaped Ashes into something magical, and will prove our greatest strength I am sure. I am thankful for the vibrant community that has come together, providing us with invaluable insights and making this journey a collaborative experience. I also acknowledge the challenges faced by our industry this year. It breaks my heart to see the many talented and passionate developers who have been affected by layoffs. Your creativity and dedication have left an indelible mark, and we stand with you during these trying times. Intrepid has tried our best to help where we can in offering a home to those eager for a new MMO. Looking forward to the new year, the Intrepid team will continue its historic growth, and we're thrilled to have announced the upcoming Alpha Two testing phase, a landmark milestone in our journey to launch. As the Christmas lights twinkle and New Year’s celebrations unfold, John and I want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May this season bring you happiness, fulfillment, and the magic of shared moments with your friends and family. I want to extend my thanks to you for being an integral part of the Ashes of Creation community. May you and yours have a festive season filled with warmth, wonder, and anticipation for the adventures that await us in 2024! ❤️💪🎉 Merry Christmas! Warm regards, Steven Sharif
Steven Sharif13,371 views • 2 years ago
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