imported>Karinoir at 09:25, 29 March 2026

2026-03-29T09:25:34Z

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{{InfoboxNeue
|title = Cloud Imperium Games Ltd
|image = Cloud Imperium logo.svg
|label1 = Company type
|content1 = Subsidiary
|label2 = Industry
|content2 = [[StarCitizen::Category:Video game companies|Video games]]
|label3 = Formerly
|content3 = Foundry 42 Ltd (2013-2019)
|label4 = Founded
|content4 = 2013-09-24 as Foundry 42 Ltd
|label5 = Founders
|content5 = [[StarCitizen:Chris Roberts]], [[StarCitizen:Sandi Gardiner]], [[StarCitizen:Ortwin Freyermuth]]
|label6 = Headquarters
|content6 = 6 Goods Yard St, Manchester M3 3BG, United Kingdom, [[StarCitizen:Earth]], [[StarCitizen:Sol system|Sol]]
|label7 = Products
|content7 = [[StarCitizen:Star Citizen]], [[StarCitizen:Squadron 42]]
|label8 = Parent
|content8 = [[StarCitizen:Cloud Imperium]]
|label9 = Number of locations
|content9 = 5
|label10 = Number of employees
|content10 = 1100 (2023)
|label11 = Website
|content11 = [https://cloudimperiumgames.com/ cloudimperiumgames.com]
|label12 = |content12 = }}
'''Cloud Imperium Games''' is an independent [[StarCitizen::Category:Video game development companies|video game development company]] and a subsidiary of [[StarCitizen:Cloud Imperium]]. It develops both [[StarCitizen:Squadron 42|''Squadron 42'']] and [[StarCitizen:Star Citizen|''Star Citizen'']], while also working on the [[StarCitizen:Star Engine|game engine]], the [[StarCitizen:Facial Pipeline|facial pipeline]] and the cinematic experience in ''Squadron 42'' amongst other things.

== History==

=== Foundry 42 ===
What later became the current Cloud IMperium Games Ltd was initially founded on 2013-09-24 as Foundry 42 due to focusing on the development of ''Squadron 42'' and because Cloud Imperium Games UK already existed at the time.<ref>[https://youtu.be/y2OVeUxfjuM?t=1791 Around the Verse: Episode 2.24]</ref> It opened its first office in Wilmslow, Cheshire, UK around January 2014. Additional studios were opened in Frankfurt, Germany in July 2015 and Derby, UK in March 2017.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-mifFQpeiw&t=562s Around the Verse: Episode 2.05]. YouTube, 29 Oct 2015</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yisaDxvBH9s&t=12s Inside CIG: Foundry 42 Germany], YouTube, 10 Apr 2015</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/50-6vwYUNLY?t=1105 ATV Interview: Brian Chambers], YouTube, 3 May 2016</ref>

=== Cloud Imperium Games Ltd rebranding ===
Foundry 42 later rebranded to 'Cloud Imperium Games Ltd.' on 2019-03-06 for better brand unification.<ref name=":0">[https://cloudimperiumgames.com/blog/corporate/foundry-42-ltd-rebrands-to-cloud-imperium-games-ltd Foundry 42 Ltd Rebrands to Cloud Imperium Games Ltd]</ref><ref name="CIG-LTD">[https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08703814 Cloud Imperium Games Limited - Companies House UK]</ref>

In 2022 Cloud Imperium Games opened a new lead studio in Manchester, moving from the offices in Wilmslow. The new office will accommodate up to 1000 employees.<ref>[https://cloudimperiumgames.com/blog/latest-announcements/cloud-imperium-games-to-open-new-videogame-development-studio-in-manchester]. CIG, 2024-01-01 </ref> In early 2024, a relocation of staff to the Manchester studio takes place.<ref>[https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/some-star-citizen-devs-reportedly-laid-off-as-cloud-imperium-restructures/ Some Star Citizen devs reportedly laid off as Cloud Imperium restructures], videogameschronicle.com, 28th Feb 2024</ref>

Following the staff relocation, the closure of the Los Angeles studio was announced in March 2025.<ref>"[https://mailchi.mp/cloudimperiumgames/chairmans-club-special-gift-3212025?e=69cac5426b <nowiki>[...]That also means we’re saying a bittersweet goodbye to our Los Angeles studio.[...],</nowiki>]" Chairman's Club email, 21st March 2025</ref> A small group of community members who have made a lasting impact on the ''Star Citizen'' scene in California were invited, from [[StarCitizen:Bar Citizen]] organizers to [[StarCitizen:CitizenCon]] volunteers and local content creators, to pick up a piece of the wall art.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/comm-link/transmission/20526-This-Week-In-Star-Citizen|text=This Week in Star Citizen|accessdate=2025-03-31}}</ref>

== Studios==
Cloud Imperium Games has 5 offices worldwide: Manchester and Derby in the UK, Montreal in Canada, Austin in the US, and Frankfurt in Germany, each with a rough list of specialist teams provided here if possible.
[[File:CIG_Manchester_Offices.png|alt=|thumb|The CIG Manchester Studio]]

===United Kingdom ===
CIG UK numbered 693 employees as of December 2024,<ref>[https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/document-api-images-live.ch.gov.uk/docs/P-8K4kviHH18u4CWdKky3pdln4ll74pf6rXwLPXzBig/application-pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAWRGBDBV3LXQHUMOA%2F20250824%2Feu-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250824T071059Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEOb%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCWV1LXdlc3QtMiJHMEUCIGIrHdSXYVneKdpqEgtHh0hCx0oa9dTZ803Jx1WIzKZiAiEAkQgL3Ye5ABZdN8tpzpR898RYV%2F73qaDv1mockfbipWEquwUIPxAFGgw0NDkyMjkwMzI4MjIiDCyWBtRh3bvfXx0WwyqYBY45n%2FU2oMlPPeKCW%2BYpK3dt8Xp1V1Ny8s%2BO%2FVGhvdAKF7LoPv4wVBoC7mmxVS0UwHsZX38tgGf8q%2BHoIb54OPLTs3tdnm1Xag%2FLayPfz8TTyqc9xdoG3PGdQfFUiB1GO1p2NrAPE5Qhsw%2FbIEKXOzPMslMoaxyDbOXkAdsEyqIRtQ3N99dwJm9UwawRby%2FhRiyRelsQ82rHXiaimIaeogAP4F6AO%2BffCpBDm%2BkFS6BWYyfxbSRc2B85RSq8QWK9t6Ln6cAgH4GIn%2FClDVBxlNlQC6iYA6%2Fx1Ri4NKh1SHwnENpKDJojj3Fl3wflBOprdPZcyQchbpXJMP7q1OnW6Xz3kG9FiaIz1gBNkKzroYxiM3SX1vHjDaE6fBVAnxreA%2B3EA9i77FxKMiDTWUi2mzSrbC84V9vHMDel%2F6jHqN2qzP2RRJSg3%2Br%2F87Ctfr75u2u9L8dz8wxnBW2s1EQUXUeq%2FAFQQhlybAZj8jGuQUb%2Fw%2F3%2FGdICNGBSoN067IWxLT0CUvJrCRaynMQU7y2LVsGhA7EDueYhCJdJkeap9K90KQszNXQHdsAB%2FoKOLwaz9ZMXC4Vf%2FSbGVprMXL8adCvQ5l8PNUU0oZhzDQ9NUzRwWgM1mRT%2BZESzEQLYQH0F4agojmNc3j5uI%2BI1OkmDURrrKyOKwVAcCPYB8nnYJYxZ33IaS00s0rh9tIjjtBV6SDFoV4BuiSgWH%2BiyC5OauEoEhuZvsC3AG%2FabkosN2KZZjMA8E9j7q92ufLG0jyUgIyW9%2BB6xfOIe6eiXvw4Z2iEKZwrSurTZ%2FE7mNBRNoXHU4Q%2BbbeFjB7uUtBrQPRM9UuJVqQsNAkd3Wvto7vVeFs0f7EzS0uvTuZcHeKkYHRHo3q4rjk06Qegw%2B8OqxQY6sQH9c0Jrwkyx0dyXEhfsSsBdWuh%2BiLez3XEytIg3F6XYayiYnx8qy0gyhnnszUwnJqC%2FI2lQXOyitsAwzBEU%2B2rWtjSkORX3IDA3njidITgyNTExvuLa8edWDunjGlwOC8O93MtGbQwe7LdALJmFGg3hULH7%2FBic6Nd7Q2f4ZxLaEgkSuLHBbf3FMb4lGxOU8HHJe5R%2BDKx05WXF6EdMEUc4a1qmsaqapqzRWWyZN65Vx4E%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%3D%22companies_house_document.pdf%22&X-Amz-Signature=8c3e3898d0f6b00dc7dd11a9f363f21745fa6d30a75c45ecea8fbd2209a7070b Cloud Imperium Games Limited, Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024], UK companies house, 20 Aug 2025</ref> more than half the total number, with a further unknown number being relocated to it in early 2025 from abroad.
*'''Manchester''':<ref>[https://youtu.be/5aKLh18TPpE?t=888 Hub Crawl Hero - Fireside Chat with Carl Jones - Cloud Imperium Games]: "Why Manchester?", YouTube, 23 May 2023</ref> Graphics (low-level), UI, Audio, Ships (especially those needed for Squadron 42), Environment (Level Design), Props, Marketing, Support
*'''Derby''': [[StarCitizen:Facial Pipeline]]

=== Canada ===

* [[StarCitizen:Cloud Imperium Games Montréal|Cloud Imperium Games Montreal]] opened in 2025, as part of the already existing [[StarCitizen:Turbulent]].<ref>[https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/entreprises/2025-08-22/jeu-video/le-studio-web-turbulent-devient-cloud-imperium-games-montreal.php Le studio web Turbulent devient Cloud Imperium Games Montréal], lapresse.ca, 22 août 2025</ref>

===Germany ===
* '''Frankfurt'''<ref>[https://youtu.be/g3rPBbVBrcI STAR CITIZEN: Around the Verse - Episode 100 Celebration, Part IV], YouTube, 21 Jul 2016</ref>: Engine ([[StarCitizen:Star Engine]]), Tools, AI ([[StarCitizen:Subsumption]]), Cinematics, FPS weapons, Environment ([[StarCitizen:Prodecural Planets]] and [[StarCitizen:Space Station]]s), Lighting<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/live/cYyGW9ePnNk?feature=share Happy Hour Interview w/ Brian Chambers], YouTube, 5 May 2017</ref>

=== United States ===

* Austin, Texas

== Trivia ==
*CIG has won the Massively OP’s Best of 2015 Awards: [[StarCitizen:MMO]] Studio of the Year.<ref>[https://massivelyop.com/2015/12/10/massively-ops-best-of-2015-awards-studio-of-the-year/ Massively OP’s Best of 2015 Awards: MMO Studio of the Year], massivelyop.com, December 10, 2015 </ref>
*Several items in the game ''[[StarCitizen:Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues]]'' are named after Cloud Imperium due to a cross promotion.
==References==
<references />

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[[Category:Development]]
[[Category:Video_game_development_companies]]
[[Category:Video_game_companies]]
[[Category:IRL_companies_%26_organizations]]

StarCitizen:Cloud Imperium Games Ltd. - Revision history

imported>Karinoir at 09:25, 29 March 2026