**Midnight Society Shuts Down: Dr Disrespect’s Studio Closes Amid Controversy, While YouTube Monetization Resumes**
The gaming realm has encountered yet another notable studio shutdown as Midnight Society, the development company co-founded by the controversial streamer Guy “Dr Disrespect” Beahm, officially ceases operations. This announcement follows shortly after significant layoffs at the studio four months prior, closing a tumultuous chapter for the organization. Coincidentally, on the same day, Google reinstated Beahm’s YouTube monetization, enabling him to profit from his content once more. The simultaneous occurrence of these events has ignited extensive discussions within the gaming and streaming sectors.
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### **From Aspiration to Shutdown: The Rise and Fall of Midnight Society**
Established in 2021 by Dr Disrespect and former Call of Duty community manager Robert Bowling, Midnight Society set out to challenge the gaming sector with its flagship endeavor, *Deadrop*. The game was advertised as a free-to-play extraction shooter featuring innovative “vertical gameplay,” a concept that created substantial excitement among genre enthusiasts. With Beahm’s charismatic persona and Bowling’s industry expertise, the studio initially seemed destined for success.
However, the studio’s path took a dramatic downturn in 2024. The initial blow came when Beahm confessed to exchanging inappropriate messages with a minor back in 2017. Although he later tried to trivialize the incident as a “joke,” the harm to his image was irreparable. Bowling and the Midnight Society team swiftly distanced themselves from Beahm, issuing statements to dissociate the studio from the scandal.
In September 2024, the company disclosed “significant layoffs,” attributing them to “unexpected challenges” that impeded the development of *Deadrop*. The layoffs impacted a considerable segment of the studio’s workforce, raising red flags about the project’s viability. Despite the company’s reassurances, the situation seemed dire.
On January 30, 2025, Midnight Society officially declared its closure through social media. In a poignant statement, the studio expressed appreciation to its 55 developers and the gaming community while apologizing for not meeting its ambitious aspirations. The firm also pledged to assist its laid-off employees in finding new opportunities within the industry.
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### **Dr Disrespect’s YouTube Monetization Ban Rescinded**
While the closure of Midnight Society signals the end of one chapter, another opportunity has emerged for Dr Disrespect. On the same day as the studio’s announcement, Google reversed its ban on Beahm’s YouTube monetization. The ban, initially enacted in June 2023, followed the public disclosure of his inappropriate messages with a minor. Despite having an initial appeal turned down, Google has now restored Beahm’s eligibility for its YouTube Partner Program.
In a statement to *Kotaku*, Google clarified that the decision was made after “careful reconsideration” of the circumstances. However, the company cautioned that any future infractions could lead to further consequences for Beahm. The reasons for Google’s change of stance remain ambiguous, but the choice has reignited discussions about accountability and platform policies in the streaming arena.
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### **A Cautionary Saga in the Gaming Sector**
The closure of Midnight Society contributes to an increasing roster of studio closures and layoffs that have shaken the gaming landscape in recent months. Notable companies like Ubisoft and Bioware have also encountered significant hurdles, highlighting the unpredictable nature of game development.
For Dr Disrespect, the demise of Midnight Society signifies a thwarted attempt to rival industry titans such as Activision’s *Call of Duty*. Despite his restored YouTube monetization, his reputation lingers in a compromised state, and the shutdown of his studio stands as a stark reminder of the ramifications stemming from personal and professional controversies.
For the gaming community, the downfall of Midnight Society serves as a cautionary example regarding the perils of overreaching ambition and the essentiality of upholding trust and integrity within a fiercely competitive sector. While *Deadrop* might never come to fruition, its narrative will likely serve as a lesson in how even the most anticipated projects can stumble under the pressure of controversy and mismanagement.
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### **What’s Next for Dr Disrespect?**
With his YouTube monetization restored, Dr Disrespect is poised to concentrate on revitalizing his streaming career. However, the path ahead is fraught with obstacles. The gaming community remains split regarding his actions and the decisions by platforms like Google to reinstate him. Whether Beahm can recover the trust of his audience and industry associates is yet to be determined.
For the moment, Midnight Society joins the list of ambitious yet ultimately unfulfilled ventures in gaming lore. Its closure leaves lingering questions about possibilities that were not realized and serves as a sobering reminder of the difficulties new studios encounter in a constantly transforming industry.