Humanoid Origin, the Edmonton-based studio led by Mass Effect co-creator Casey Hudson, has announced its sudden closure, citing a financial shortfall as the reason behind the decision. The studio’s shutdown was revealed in a heartfelt LinkedIn post earlier today.

The statement acknowledged, “Despite our efforts to shield the studio from industry-wide challenges, an unexpected funding shortfall has left us unable to continue operations. We’re heartbroken that our new science-fiction universe won’t come to fruition. Right now, our priority is supporting our talented team as they transition to new opportunities.”

A Brief but Bold Journey

Founded in June 2021, Humanoid Origin—originally named Humanoid Studios—was envisioned as a space where developers could unleash their creativity without constraints. After Hudson departed BioWare in December 2020, he launched the studio with the ambitious goal of creating a multi-platform, AAA sci-fi game.

In 2023, the studio rebranded to Humanoid Origin, reflecting Hudson’s ethos that, in an AI-dominated era, the heart of creativity still lies with human talent. The studio was actively hiring as recently as May 2024, making today’s announcement all the more surprising.

A Harsh Industry Reality

Humanoid Origin’s closure is part of a troubling trend in the gaming industry. Over 14,000 developers have been laid off in 2024 alone, following the loss of 10,000 jobs the previous year. Studio closures, project cancellations, and mass layoffs have become painfully common, raising questions about the sustainability of game development at its current pace.

The loss of Humanoid Origin marks yet another creative vision cut short, leaving fans wondering what could have been.