The gaming industry is undeniably going through some tough times, and the recent closure of Humanoid Origin, a studio founded by the director of Mass Effect, is a stark reminder of that.
Lately, it feels as though announcements of layoffs or studio closures have become a weekly occurrence. Just recently, Casey Hudson—the mind behind the original Mass Effect trilogy and also involved in Anthem’s early development stages—set up a new venture called Humanoid Origin back in 2021. This studio was geared towards developing a fresh new IP. Sadly, that dream has come to a halt. As of yesterday, Humanoid Origin’s official LinkedIn profile broke the unfortunate news that the studio is closing its doors due to financial difficulties. The post straightforwardly stated, “Earlier today, we informed our staff that Humanoid Origin will be shutting down. Despite efforts to shield the studio from broader challenges in the industry, an unexpected shortfall of funding left us unable to sustain operations.”
It continued, expressing regret over the incomplete status of their new sci-fi universe. However, their primary focus is currently on helping their talented team transition into new job opportunities. The post added, “In our time together, the team achieved incredible progress, showcasing the possibility of doing amazing work while maintaining a culture of fun and creativity. We thank them for their talent, courage, and friendship. Thank you to everyone who supported us throughout our journey.”
This development is indeed disappointing, but it’s hardly surprising in the present climate. Apart from facing massive layoffs—over 14,000 in 2024 alone—the challenge of securing funding is a growing concern. Here’s hoping that everyone at Humanoid Origin finds new opportunities soon.
