Longtime Supporter Halts Coverage After Seven Years
A prominent content creator for Ashes Of Creation has announced stepping away after seven years of support. The decision stems from concerns over unaddressed racism within the game, ongoing development challenges, and a perceived lack of community moderation.
Key Issues Leading to the Decision
The creator cited multiple factors influencing this move. Evidence of racist behavior directed at players, including members of the Nova Order guild, was presented as a primary concern. Reports indicate that these incidents were brought to the attention of Intrepid Studios moderators but resulted in no apparent disciplinary actions against the offenders.
Development progress in Alpha 2 has also been a point of contention. Despite running for over a year, the current phase is described as being in a poor state, with persistent exploits, bugs, and performance issues. While visual upgrades and a transition to Unreal Engine 5.6 have occurred, core content remains limited, featuring only one new archetype and expansive but empty world areas.
Community and Moderation Concerns
The community environment has reportedly deteriorated. Discord and Reddit platforms, once strongholds of support, now host significant criticism and guild-related conflicts. Moderation efforts are seen as insufficient, contributing to a toxic atmosphere that has driven some longtime followers away.
Plans for a marketing push in November were mentioned as a potential misstep. The creator expressed worry that exposing the game's current state to a broader audience could lead to negative publicity and further damage its reputation.
Future Outlook
While not permanently closing the door on future coverage, the creator plans to observe developments over the coming months without producing new content. This pause reflects a desire to avoid perpetuating negative narratives and acknowledges respect for the development team's efforts, despite disagreements with leadership decisions.
The situation highlights ongoing challenges for Ashes Of Creation as it navigates alpha testing phases and community management.
