Dr Disrespect’s Midnight Society is shutting down, leaving many in the gaming community reflecting on what could have been. The announcement came just six months after a split from Dr Disrespect himself, highlighting the turbulent journey of this ambitious studio.
The studio, co-founded by Guy ‘Dr. Disrespect’ Beahm and Call of Duty veteran Robert Bowling and Halo designer Quinn Delhoyo shared their decision through social media. They called on other studios to assist remaining employees in finding new opportunities. In a heartfelt statement, they expressed gratitude to their community while lamenting their inability to meet goals set during development.
Midnight Society had been developing its debut game, Deadrop, described as a free-to-play first-person “vertical extraction shooter.” This project aimed to immerse players in a dark future scenario reminiscent of the 80s aesthetic. Unfortunately, plans for integrating NFTs into the gameplay and releasing multiple playable demos, termed ‘snapshots’, did not yield the desired success over three years of development.
This closure comes after a series of challenges for the studio, including significant layoffs reported earlier this year due to unforeseen hurdles. The fallout from allegations against Dr Disrespect last summer led to intensified scrutiny and ultimately affected team morale and stability.
A recent industry survey revealed that over 11% of developers were laid off in just one year, demonstrating an unsettling trend within game development communities. More than ever, studios face tough times, as indicated by GDC’s State of the Game Industry survey, which collected responses from over 3,000 developers across various sectors.
— Midnight Society (@12am) January 30, 2025
The news has left many wondering what could have been achieved if circumstances had played out differently. For those excited about Deadrop, it’s incredibly disheartening to witness such potential fade away. What are your thoughts on this development? How do you think it reflects on the current landscape of game development?
Let us know your feelings about these events or share your own experiences with canceled games below!
