Summary
Adding to the seemingly relentless layoffs and terminations that have plagued the video game industry since 2023,Mass Effectcreator Casey Hudson’s development studio Humanoid Origin has shut down and canceled its upcoming sci-fi game. Hudson had firmly established an impressive legacy following the success of the originalMass Effecttrilogy, but it would seem that the wider industry issues have proven too much for the veteran’s new endeavors.
Considered to be one of the best science fiction roleplaying games of all time, the firstMass Effectquickly garnered a dedicated audience that continued to follow the series with its second and third entries. Headed by Casey Hudson, theMass Effectgame franchisesolidified itself as a classic franchise in video game history, though Hudson chose to move on from the series and focus on other opportunities. Unfortunately, for Hudson and others, that new journey has come to an abrupt end.
In a public post onLinkedIn, Casey Hudson’s Humanoid Origin made the announcement that the studio will be shutting down. The statement notes that “broader challenges in the industry” left the company facing a financial shortfall that has brought an end to operations. Humanoid Origin thanked its team members for their incredible work on its now-canceled sci-fi RPG and lamented that its science-fiction universe will no longer reach completion. In spite of the studio’s best efforts to “shield” itself from the broader issues impacting the video game industry, Humanoid Origin has joined the likes of othergame studios that shut downin recent months.
Humanoid Origin Studio Shuts Down, Cancels Sci-Fi Game
Dozens of AAA and indie game studios have announced canceled projects, workplace restructurings, and massivelayoffs in the gaming industry, with Humanoid Origin and its unreleased title to be the latest casualties. Audiences have remained skeptical over whether the unfortunate trend will ever reach an end, and many have worried about the long-term implications for studios and their teams and projects. At the time of writing, there has been no direct statement from Casey Hudson on the shutdown, but longtimeMass Effectfans and fellow gamers are keeping their fingers crossed that the creative will find his way to another studio and continue working on bringing a new sci-fi experience to life.
As workers and fans alike grapple with yet another studio closure, some remain optimistic that the years ahead will see greater stability. The demand for sci-figames likeMass Effectremains high, so there is likely an audience for Casey Hudson’s unreleased project. Whether the industry veteran and his fellow team members will be able to find a new home to fully develop the title remains to be seen, but fans ofMass Effectand the Humanoid Origin team are hoping for the best.
