Midnight Society, the game studio co-founded by popular streamer Dr Disrespect, has shut down before releasing its debut title, Deadrop. The studio's closure comes after a tumultuous year, marked by controversy surrounding Dr Disrespect's behavior and significant layoffs in September.

In June, Dr Disrespect, whose real name is Herschel "Guy" Beahm, was terminated from his role at Midnight Society due to "inappropriate" messages he exchanged with a minor. The incident led to YouTube demonetizing his account, a move that has since been reversed. According to a statement provided to Kotaku, YouTube reinstated Dr Disrespect's ability to monetize his account after a "careful review of the channel's recent activity."

Midnight Society was founded in 2021 by Beahm, former Call of Duty creative strategist Robert Bowling, and former 343 Industries lead sandbox designer Quinn Delhoyo. The studio's flagship game, Deadrop, was a free-to-play vertical extraction shooter that was initially funded by selling NFTs at the height of the blockchain gaming frenzy. Deadrop was expected to release in 2024, but its development has now been halted.

In a statement on X, Midnight Society expressed gratitude to its community members and apologized for being unable to reach its "ultimate goal" of releasing Deadrop. The studio is currently seeking other game studios to offer employment opportunities to its talented team members.

The shutdown of Midnight Society raises questions about the future of game development studios founded by popular streamers and content creators. While Dr Disrespect's controversy likely contributed to the studio's demise, it also highlights the risks involved in investing in game development projects.

Dr Disrespect's reinstatement on YouTube, on the other hand, suggests that the platform is willing to give creators a second chance, provided they adhere to its community guidelines. The move is likely to be welcomed by Dr Disrespect's fans, who have been loyal to the streamer despite his controversial behavior.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the shutdown of Midnight Society serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks involved in game development. While the closure of the studio is a setback for its employees and fans, it also presents an opportunity for other game development studios to emerge and innovate.