Midnight Society, the game studio founded by the infamous streamer DrDisRespect (former Twitch streamer) and Robert Bowling in 2021, had big dreams of shaking up the gaming world. Their ambitious project? An extraction shooter called Deadrop with a groundbreaking twist: NFTs.
Fast forward to the present, and the studio has announced it’s shutting down, leaving fans in the middle of nowhere to figure out what happened to the game they were promised and the money they invested in it. It’s a major blow for many, who are seriously frustrated and ask for their money back.
Midnight Society was born from the vision of DrDisRespect, a well-known Twitch personality with a strong online following, and Robert Bowling, a former Infinity Ward employee in 2021. The duo came together aiming to create a new kind of gaming experience that would revolutionize the industry.
Fans were excited about the duo and the studio’s flagship project, Deadrop. It was meant to be an ambitious extraction shooter that promised to offer not only engaging gameplay but also a player-driven economy where in-game assets, including weapons and skins, would be tied to NFTs on the blockchain.
While the blockchain was the first red flag for many, the studio faced another unexpected challenge as DrDisRespect (Guy Beahm) found himself drowned in controversy on Twitch. He was accused of inappropriate behavior, leading to Midnight Society severing its ties with the streamer.
However, it seems like the damage was already done, and the studio’s reputation was compromised. Despite this, the studio continued development, with fans hoping the game would still deliver on its ambitious promises.
— Midnight Society (@12am) January 30, 2025
Despite concerns, the idea of owning and trading NFTs was a huge draw. Many players invested not only their time but also real money. However, with the shocking news that Midnight Society is closing its doors, many of these backers are left frustrated and confused.
I’d like my money back
— 3d3nFPS (@3d3nFPS) January 31, 2025
so do we get refunds or nah?
— UP2REP206 (@UP2REP206) January 30, 2025
I blame Dr Disrespect
— Semp (@semp_eth) January 31, 2025
Incredibly sorry to hear this, really did enjoy all of the snapshots and how open to the public the entire development process was.
Best of luck to everyone from MS moving forward.
— ModernWarzone (@ModernWarzone) January 30, 2025
What makes this situation even worse is that many who purchased NFTs tied to Deadrop are left hanging. They are now asking for their money, and wondering if their digital assets have any real value now that the studio has shut down.
Despite the excitement surrounding Midnight Society’s vision, the reality of NFTs in gaming has been far less promising. The idea of owning digital items at first seems revolutionary, but it has faced strong resistance from gamers and for good reasons.
Over the past few years, many gaming studios have experimented with NFTs, but the results have been the same: underwhelming, at best. All the blockchain-powered games have flopped quickly, with players rejecting the integration as either unnecessary or exploitative.
Midnight Society, despite its high-profile founders, was not immune to this trend. While the studio’s promise of a new economy for players was enticing, it became clear that the integration of NFTs into games was a gamble that didn’t pay off.
With the game’s future now in limbo and the studio shutting down, it appears that NFTs in gaming may still be a step too far for most players. While there are various reasons for its downfall, this is just the latest example of a game studio failing to make NFTs relevant in gaming.
In the end, the closure of the studio is a bitter blow to those who invested in the vision. However, one thing remains clear: NFTs may never be a valuable or sustainable part of the gaming experience.
What do you think was the reason behind the studio’s shutdown? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
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