The second phase of Ashes of Creation Alpha Two is underway, as developer Intrepid Studios continues to build the ambitious new MMORPG it first announced back in 2016. It steps the testing process up to five days per week, and introduces a further two playable races and a new dungeon to explore. While there’s certainly a lot to see, Ashes of Creation is a project that’s far from finished, something creative director Steven Sharif re-emphasizes in the wake of comments from a popular YouTuber and Twitch streamer who has decided to step away from covering it.
The original Ashes of Creation Kickstarter raised over $3.2 million, but Sharif is funding the vast majority of the project himself, something he discussed with PCGamesN in a 2018 interview. He told Jeremy then that “one of the luxuries of your own development is you don’t have a publisher to answer to – you’re capable of trying the things that interest you.” The result is one of the most longstanding in-development MMORPGs around, but it’s still far from done, and the pace of that progress is driving some members of the community away.
In a video titled ‘This will be my last Ashes of Creation video,’ YouTube creator ‘Narc’ says he’s stepping away from covering the game, citing disappointment with the current state of the project and pointing to numerous aspects that he feels make it “an unsuitable testing environment.” While he says he’s fully aware the game is in alpha and is okay with that, he states that he’s unhappy with the communication between developers and testers, as well as promises he feels are unfulfilled. As such, he has decided to leave the game behind, at least until development is much further along.
Sharif shares a lengthy response via the game’s Reddit page, noting that “Narc is his own person, not beholden to me, you, or anyone in the community,” but saying, “I am sad to see Narc’s take on Ashes, [and] the claims he makes against myself and the team. It is unfounded, false and defamatory.” Despite this, Sharif says he is happy to see Narc taking time away and explains, “I think that your choice can help a lot of other people who share the same discontent you do about the process.
“As I have said time and time again, this journey will not be for everyone,” Sharif continues. “I think the biggest takeaway that people can have with our process so far is [that] Ashes is not complete yet. We still have a journey ahead of us. It is going to be a long road, and the testing environment in Alpha Two right now can sometimes feel like a game, but it isn’t yet. We are quite literally in the middle of cooking it still.” He notes that Intrepid has still not spent money on marketing or advertising the game.
“It is a totally healthy and acceptable thing to step away and come back when the ‘game’ is more complete,” Sharif says. “Most people who play games don’t care how the sausage is made. We get that, and we aren’t trying to force anyone to come watch us make Ashes, or to support us in doing so. We don’t say things like, ‘Ashes will not get finished without your support.’ Our development path is clear and unwavering.”
Taking part in the ongoing Alpha Two tests, which are set to run throughout the year with a third phase scheduled to start in May, requires a purchase of a key priced between $100 – $120. These purchases do not get you access to future beta tests or the final game, a fact Sharif has been quick to state on multiple occasions, explaining that it should not be considered akin to buying a finished game.
“I am not blind to constructive criticism,” he concludes in his response to Narc. “I want constructive criticism. This is why I have chosen the open development path.” He says those who have been banned from the Reddit page were “violating the subreddit’s conduct rules,” and adds, “creating an atmosphere of toxicity is not constructive criticism or feedback, and it is not the type of community we are trying to cultivate around Ashes. There is plenty of room for well thought-out criticism and feedback, so long as it remains respectful to other community members and the team.”
If taking part in ongoing development isn’t to your liking, there are always the best new MMOs in 2025 to keep you busy. Or if you’re content to just play with a few friends, the best co-op games on PC are a great option instead.
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