The investors behind Ashes of Creation have been embroiled in a legal battle following the game’s removal from Steam in February 2026. This turmoil has escalated with serious allegations against Steven Sharif, co-founder of Intrepid Studios, and his business partner, John Moore. Reports from NefasQS claim to have obtained the entire Intrepid Studios general ledger from 2015 to 2026, which they allege reveals significant financial misconduct.
According to NefasQS, Sharif and Moore allegedly misused company funds for personal expenses, including payments totaling over $80,000 to Gore Oil Company, which owned their mansion. The allegations suggest that funds raised during the game’s Kickstarter campaign, which totaled an impressive $3.2 million, may have been misappropriated. Sharif, however, vehemently disputes these claims, stating, “There was no misappropriation of Kickstarter funds whatsoever.”
Sharif has expressed that the allegations are part of a narrative aimed at litigating disputes in public, particularly as they relate to an ongoing lawsuit against Intrepid’s Board of Directors. He stated, “NefasQS has been fed false and defamatory information by individuals with an axe to grind, in an effort to litigate this dispute in the public domain alongside our lawsuit already pending in federal court.” His defense emphasizes that assertions regarding a ‘lavish lifestyle’ or personal misuse of company funds are categorically false.
In addition to the payments to Gore Oil Company, NefasQS reported other questionable expenditures, including over $12 million taken out from Intrepid Studios that remain unaccounted for based on their QuickBooks data. They also highlighted payments made to a personal chef and various auction sites, including a notable $41,717 spent at auction sites and $421.91 to a luxury cigar retailer. These revelations have raised eyebrows among investors and the gaming community alike.
Sharif and Moore’s mansion, which was sold for $4.9 million on April 11, 2020, has also come under scrutiny as part of the allegations. The financial dealings surrounding the property and the alleged payments to Gore Oil Company have led to questions about the integrity of the studio’s financial practices. As the situation unfolds, observers are left wondering about the implications for both Sharif and the future of Ashes of Creation.
As the community watches closely, the next steps remain uncertain. The full extent of the allegations and the veracity of the claims made by both sides are difficult to verify. Details remain unconfirmed, but the ongoing legal battles and public scrutiny are likely to impact the studio’s operations and reputation.
With the gaming world closely monitoring the developments, the outcome of this situation could have lasting effects on the trust and support of the community surrounding Ashes of Creation. As more information surfaces, both supporters and critics of Sharif will be eager to see how this narrative unfolds in the coming weeks.
