Midnight Society closes: Dr Disrespect’s former studio has failed, while the streamer gets the green light for his YouTube revenue.
The studio Midnight Society, co-founded by scandal-plagued streamer Guy “Dr Disrespect” Beahm, is finally closing its doors – just four months after massive layoffs.
The news comes on the same day that Google lifts Beahm’s monetization ban on YouTube. Bad timing for an already turbulent story.
From hype to bitter end
Midnight Society was founded in 2021 by Beahm and former Call of Duty community manager Robert Bowling. Since then, the studio has been working on their big project Deadrop, a Free2Play extraction shooter with
vertical gameplay.
At first, the studio seemed to be on the right track, but 2024 was a fateful year.
Last year, Beahm publicly admitted that he had exchanged “inappropriate” messages with a minor in 2017. Although he later tried to dismiss his statements as “jokes,” the damage was done.
Bowling and Midnight Society distanced themselves from Beahm that same day.
In September 2024, the first noticeable setback followed: The studio announced “significant” layoffs and spoke of “several unexpected challenges”.
In a statement on social media, the studio has now announced its final closure:
— Midnight Society (@12am) January 30, 2025
Today we announce that Midnight Society will be closing its doors after three incredible years. An amazing team of 55 developers have contributed to our new IP Deaddrop. […]
It was also announced that the studio is actively seeking opportunities to help the laid-off developers find new jobs at other studios. Finally, Midnight Society thanked the community and apologized for not achieving the original goal.
Google lifts Dr Disrespect’s YouTube ban
Coinciding with the end of Midnight Society, there is a surprising turn of events for Dr Disrespect: Google lifts the ban that previously prevented him from monetizing his YouTube channel.
Google had suspended Beahm’s YouTube partnership in June 2023 after his messages with a minor became public. His first appeal was rejected, but now, months later, the company has apparently changed its mind.
In a statement to Kotaku , it is said that Beahm is allowed to participate in the partner program again after “careful examination” – but with the warning that further action could be taken in the event of further violations.
Why Google changed its decision remains unclear. But while Beahm can now profit financially again, Midnight Society will remain just another failed studio in the history of the gaming industry.
The closure is part of an ongoing wave of layoffs and studio closures that has recently also hit Ubisoft and Bioware.
