Cloud Imperium Games has closed its Los Angeles office. The company announced the closure in a newsletter to users who have donated significant funds for the development of Star Citizen.
Star Citizen
In a letter, Cloud Imperium Games stated that the development of the space action game Squadron 42 and the release version of the MMO Star Citizen are in their final stages. Therefore, it is more important than ever for the studio that employees work in environments that suit them and closely collaborate with colleagues from different offices. To improve efficiency, the company has shuffled several key specialists, which ultimately led to the closure of the Los Angeles branch.
It is unknown whether Cloud Imperium Games transferred all Los Angeles employees to other branches or just a portion. The letter from the studio does not mention layoffs, although they may not have been publicized.
At the beginning of 2024, Cloud Imperium Games had already reduced the role of the Los Angeles office within the overall structure of the studio. At that time, they transferred the development team from there to Manchester, stating that the remaining staff would primarily focus on marketing, finance, and human resources. Later, rumors emerged indicating that Cloud Imperium Games, in general, is facing serious financial difficulties and needs to cut costs across different areas of its operations.
Meanwhile, the amount of money raised through crowdfunding for the development of Star Citizen has reached $795.5 million.