Stevie "KillCreek" Case sent this .plan update from ION's Steve Ash (just added to the Blue Tracker) which should clarify the reasons for Ash's departure from the Daikatana team (story):

Not this rumor stuff again ;)

It's true, I am leaving ION, but only for boring personal reasons, I'm afraid. I've had a lot of fun working at ION for the past few months. I got to add a lot of cool tech to DK, and now that that's done, I'm heading back to Cali. It's been cool working with John and everyone else here, and I wish them all the best!

Now go away!