Summary
- Cryptic Studios faced new layoffs, impacting more staff.
- The layoffs follow a round in November 2023 as part of a restructuring effort by Embracer Group.
- As Cryptic transitions operations of its MMOs to DECA Games, it remains uncertain if new projects are in development.
Staff at veteran game developer Cryptic Studios are experiencing another round of layoffs, almost a year after the last round. Cryptic Studios develops and operates the massively multiplayer online games Neverwinter and Star Trek Online.
Cryptic Studios is a veteran of the persistent online multiplayer space. Originally founded in 2000, developers at the studio created City of Heroes, one of the best MMORPGs of all time and a seminal influence for superhero online games. The company also went on to create more MMORPGs, including Champions Online, based on the Champions tabletop game, the Star Trek-based MMO Star Trek Online, and Neverwinter. The latter two continue to operate under Cryptic's direction.
Interview: Neverwinter Executive Producer Talks Revamping Mount Hotenow for New Module
The Best War Games chats with Neverwinter executive producer Brett Norton about revitalizing the classic adventure zone for the Mountain of Flame module.
That said, the fate of Cryptic Studios is once again in question, following a report on Game Developer of new layoffs affecting staff. According to the report, multiple Cryptic Studios staffers have posted on social networks like LinkedIn and platforms like Twitter stating that they'd been laid off and would be departing the studio by October 31, 2024. The exact number of people let go is unclear, but the layoffs included people like Character Artist Amelia March and Senior Artist Mauricio Tejerina. Star Trek Online Art Director Thomas Marrone, who also modeled several Star Trek Online ships that were made canonical by the Star Trek: Picard show, confirmed the layoffs on Twitter, saying that many people were being let go "through no fault of their own" and that their loss would be "deeply felt."
Cryptic Studios Layoffs Affect Multiple Staff
The layoffs come almost one full year after jobs were cut in November 2023. That wave was part of a "restructuring" effort that saw Embracer Group fire thousands of developers at its owned studios.
The new layoffs come during an uncertain time for Cryptic Studios as a whole. While both Star Trek Online and Neverwinter are still operating and have solid player populations, the company is in the process of transitioning operations and development of both titles to DECA Games, another part of Embracer group focused on free-to-play and live service titles. When that process is complete, it's not clear if Cryptic Studios has any other projects in the works.
The turmoil that rocked Embracer Group after the collapse of its financial deal continues to have effects on developers and people years later. Even now, Embracer Group itself is splitting up, dividing up the huge stable of IPs and development studios it bought up during its rush of acquisitions in previous years.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 68 /100 Critics Rec: 29%
- Released
- February 2, 2010
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Cryptic Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Gearbox Publishing, Perfect World Entertainment, Atari
- Engine
- Cryptic
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Star Trek
WHERE TO PLAY
Star Trek Online puts you in the captain’s chair of your own adventure in the Star Trek universe. You’ll be able to lead your ship and crew on adventures in space and on the ground in this ever expanding, completely Free-to-Play online universe.
Intrigue in the Final Frontier: We have a rich story line that unfolds over 125 episodes that feature friends and foes from every part of the Star Trek universe.
Celebrity Involvement: Star Trek Online features over 15 actors spanning every series of Star Trek. You’ll have the opportunity to party up with Worf, Seven of Nine, Tuvok, Harry Kim, and many many more.
Choose your Faction: Explore with the Federation, Fight for Honor with the Klingon Empire, or rebuild your species with the Romulan Republic, the choice is up to you!
