Valve is refunding Ashes of Creation players on Steam, even after the standard two-hour/two-week refund period. This measure comes after an unprecedented crisis for the MMO, which raised $3.3 million on Kickstarter but now faces an uncertain future due to the resignation of its director and mass layoffs at Intrepid Studios.
What was considered the largest MMO crowdfunding campaign in Kickstarter history is now heading toward a troubled conclusion. Ashes of Creation launched in Steam Early Access in December 2025, but just a few weeks later, the studio's structure began to crumble when Stephen Sharif, its founder and creative director, resigned.
Although the studio announced a livestream to answer questions about the situation, many players chose not to wait and demanded refunds. Valve approves exceptional refund requests, even for users who have significantly exceeded the standard two-hour playtime limit or two-week game ownership limit.
To increase the chances of getting a refund on Steam, players report that it's more effective to submit a support request by selecting "I have a question about this purchase" instead of the standard refund option. This approach allows them to directly contact a support agent and explain the unusual situation with the game.
The Reddit community shared numerous stories of approved refunds, including cases of players who had played for dozens of hours. Several posts detailed the messages used in the requests and provided templates that other users could adapt.
Meanwhile, Kickstarter backers and buyers who purchased the game directly from Intrepid Studios face a more difficult situation in terms of recouping their investment, as they lack the policy flexibility that Steam offers in this case.
Intrepid Studios has yet to provide any clear information about the future of Ashes of Creation following its forced restructuring, leaving thousands of players uncertain about the fate of one of the most anticipated MMOs in recent years.
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