Midnight Society, the game studio co-founded by popular streamer Dr Disrespect (Guy Beahm), has officially shut down after three years. The studio also announced the cancellation of its highly anticipated FPS game, Deadrop.
The announcement was made via X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“Today we are announcing Midnight Society will be closing its doors after three incredible years, with an amazing team of over 55 developers.”
This news comes amid a wave of layoffs and studio closures in the gaming industry, affecting companies like Ubisoft, BioWare, and Phoenix Labs.
The Rise and Fall of Midnight Society
Midnight Society was founded in 2022 by Dr Disrespect along with industry veterans Robert Bowling (Call of Duty) and Quinn Delhoyo (Halo). The goal was to create a new era of FPS games with direct community involvement.
Their debut game, Deadrop, was an ambitious free-to-play PvPvE extraction shooter, set in a dystopian world where “the 80s never ended.” Inspired by games like Escape from Tarkov and Call of Duty, Deadrop aimed to redefine competitive shooter gameplay.
Why Did Midnight Society Shut Down?
Several factors contributed to the studio’s downfall, including:
1. Departure of Dr Disrespect
In 2024, Midnight Society parted ways with Dr Disrespect following allegations of inappropriate online behavior. This damaged the studio’s reputation and likely affected funding and fan support.
2. Development Delays
Originally targeting a 2024 release, Deadrop missed key development milestones. The competitive FPS market is highly demanding, and delays can hurt community engagement and investor confidence.
3. Industry-Wide Layoffs and Closures
The gaming industry has seen major layoffs and studio closures over the past year. Economic downturns, rising development costs, and shifting business models have forced many studios to scale back or shut down entirely.
What Was Deadrop?
Deadrop was set in a cyberpunk-inspired world, featuring characters in Daft Punk-like helmets, wielding guns and swords in a vertical PvPvE extraction shooter. The game focused on tactical combat, player-driven stories, and high-stakes matches where players had to extract loot before being eliminated.
Despite the unique concept, Deadrop failed to reach full release, leaving many fans disappointed.
Impact on the Gaming Industry
The closure of Midnight Society reflects broader struggles in the gaming world. Even well-backed studios with experienced developers are facing challenges such as:
- Increased Development Costs: AAA games require larger budgets, and funding has become harder to secure.
- Live-Service Market Saturation: Many shooters now operate on live-service models, making it harder for new entries to stand out.
- Changing Consumer Trends: Players are shifting towards games that offer free-to-play experiences with long-term content updates.
What’s Next for Midnight Society’s Developers?
Following the shutdown, Midnight Society’s team of over 55 developers is looking for new job opportunities. Many gaming studios are hiring, and some developers may find positions in established companies or new indie projects.
Final Word on Midnight Society’s Closure
Midnight Society had a promising vision but ultimately couldn’t survive in today’s volatile gaming industry. While the Deadrop project is now canceled, its influence on FPS design and community-driven development may live on in future projects.
As the gaming world continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how studios will adapt to these challenges—and whether Dr Disrespect will attempt another venture in the industry.
Read more https://hetechme.com/indias-tiger-population-rises-a-global-conservation-success-story/