The closure of game studio Midnight Society has left Deadrop players seeking refunds for purchases made towards the unfinished game.
The studio, co-founded by streamer Dr. Disrespect, shut down in January 2025, ending development on its highly anticipated vertical extraction shooter. Many players had bought early access passes, including NFTs and other in-game items, expecting exclusive content upon release.
With the game no longer in development, these purchases have become effectively worthless, prompting players to request chargebacks from their financial institutions. Some have been successful in securing refunds, whilst others continue to face obstacles.
What happened to Midnight Society?
Midnight Society was founded in 2021 with the goal of developing a community-driven first-person shooter. Deadrop was positioned as a vertical extraction shooter, with the studio raising funds through early access passes, including NFTs and other digital assets priced between $20 and $30.
In 2024, the studio faced difficulties following the removal of co-founder Dr. Disrespect, also known as Guy Beahm, due to allegations of inappropriate conduct. Despite reassurances from management that the project would continue, the company laid off a significant number of staff later that year.
By early 2025, the studio shut down entirely, leaving Deadrop in an incomplete state and its future uncertain.
What has been the reaction of the community?
Many players who invested in Deadrop have turned to their banks and credit card providers to dispute charges, arguing that they paid for a game that was never completed. Discussions have taken place in Midnight Society’s inactive Discord server, where users share advice on navigating chargeback procedures.
A former Discord moderator known as Caramel, has reported assisting multiple players in successfully securing refunds. He has shared evidence of successful chargebacks and highlighted concerns over the financial impact on affected players.
Despite the shutdown, some Midnight Society assets remain online. The studio’s website still advertises community events, merchandise continues to be available for purchase, and Deadrop-related NFTs are still being traded on digital marketplaces. Former supporters argues that sales should be discontinued given the game’s cancellation.
Some players hope that Deadrop could be revived by a different developer, but many believe the project is definitively over. In the meantime, refund efforts continue, with affected players determined to recover their investments where possible.
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