Humanoid Origin, former Mass Effect studio closes before publishing a game

In 2022, BioWare veteran Casey Hudson had announced his first independent project, “a multiplatform AAA title focused on a character-driven narrative in an entirely new sci-fi universe”

Humanoid Origin, the video game development studio founded by Casey Hudson, former general manager of BioWare, has announced the closure of its activities. The news was shared via a post on the company’s LinkedIn page. “Despite efforts to protect the studio from broader industry challenges, an unexpected funding shortfall prevented us from sustaining operations,” the post read. Humanoid Origin was founded by Hudson in 2021, initially under the name Humanoid Studios. Hudson started the studio after leaving a 20-year career at BioWare, where he served as a producer and director on several hit titles, including Mass Effect and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

After leaving BioWare in 2014 for a brief stint at Microsoft Studios, Hudson returned to BioWare in 2017 before leaving for good in 2020, saying it was time to “make room for the next generation of leaders.” In 2022, Humanoid Studios had announced its first project, “a multiplatform AAA title focused on a character-driven narrative in an entirely new sci-fi universe.” Aside from some concept art on the studio’s website, little was known about the game. The closure of Humanoid Origin is just the latest in a second consecutive year of devastating layoffs and closures to hit the video game industry. By unofficial counts, over 23,000 jobs have been lost over the past two years, with 2024 seeing the closures of studios like Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Firewalk Studios.