Mass Effect Director Faces Industry Challenges as Studio and New Sci-Fi Game Close Down

These days, the gaming industry is experiencing some challenging times, and it just got tougher with the closure of Humanoid Origin, the new venture from the mind behind Mass Effect.

It seems like barely a week goes by without hearing bad news—be it layoffs, studio closures, or other setbacks—and unfortunately, this week’s news follows the same sorrowful trend. In 2021, Casey Hudson, the creative force behind the original Mass Effect trilogy and a key player during the initial phase of the less successful Anthem, announced the launch of his new studio, Humanoid Origin. The aim was to create an entirely new intellectual property. However, that dream has now been dashed. Just yesterday, a post on Humanoid Origin’s LinkedIn page revealed that the studio is closing its doors due to insufficient funding. The announcement stated, “Earlier today, we informed our staff that Humanoid Origin will be shutting down. Despite all our efforts to insulate the studio from the wider challenges facing the industry, an unanticipated funding gap left us unable to continue operations.”

They added, “It’s devastating that we won’t see our new sci-fi universe reach fruition. Right now, our priority is our team, and we’re dedicated to helping them find new roles. The team made tremendous strides, proving that remarkable work can be achieved in an environment that values fun and creativity. We are immensely grateful for their skills, determination, and camaraderie. Thank you to everyone who supported us on this journey.”

This development is undeniably disappointing, but, unfortunately, it’s also becoming rather commonplace. Funding hurdles have become increasingly significant over the past year, on top of the staggering 14,000-plus layoffs we’ve witnessed in 2024 alone. We sincerely hope that all those affected at Humanoid Origin find new opportunities soon.