StarCitizen:Cloud Imperium Games Manchester
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Template:InfoboxNeue The Cloud Imperium Games Manchester studio in the United Kingdom serves as the headquaters of the StarCitizen:Cloud Imperium group since 2022.
History
Initial plans
Due to the UK price structure and the government support, in 2016 StarCitizen:Foundry 42 in Wilmslow had grown to become CIG biggest global hub, with CIG making a 10 year plan to expand its presence even further in the UK and house its growing team.<ref name=":0">Los Angeles firm pulls out of UK office deal amid Brexit jitters, egi.co.uk, 27/09/2019</ref>
In 2018-2019 CIG was investigating an office move from the existing studio in Wilmslow to a larger space within the nearby area. CIG went into talks that lasted several months to buy the UK headquarters of the chemical company BASF for around £6m in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester.<ref name=":0" />
In september 2019 CIG decided that the space was not an ideal fit given the circumstances, including the continuing uncertainties introduced by Brexit, such as the impact on property and business values, as well as currency fluctuations and effect on CIG's ability to employ and maintain EU nationals, which are a substantial part of CIG workforce.<ref>Gaming company pulls out of UK office deal over Brexit fears, propertyweek.com, 27 September 2019</ref><ref name=":0" />
Manchester
Two years later in november 2021 CIG announced the opening of a new studio in Manchester planned for May 2022.<ref>Cloud Imperium Games to Open New Videogame Development Studio in Manchester, UK, in 2022, cloudimperiumgames.com, Nov 9, 2021</ref>
In 2022 Cloud Imperium Games opened a new lead studio in Manchester, moving from the offices in StarCitizen:Wilmslow. The new office can accommodate up to 1000 employees.<ref>[1]. CIG, 2024-01-01 </ref> It was the first studio where it became possible to start working anew together in person during the COVID pandemic.<ref name=":3" />
In early 2024, a relocation of staff to the Manchester studio took place.<ref>Some Star Citizen devs reportedly laid off as Cloud Imperium restructures, videogameschronicle.com, 28th Feb 2024</ref> The building is shared by companies such as Booking.com.<ref>Booking.com moves into £80m Manchester office, uktech.news, Fri 16 Dec 2022</ref>
CIG UK numbered 693 employees as of December 2024,<ref name=":1">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 of employees of the Cloud Imperium Group, with a further unknown number being relocated to it in early 2025 from abroad, most of that number at the Manchester HQ.
Points of interest
In 2023 JRDF built the StarCitizen:New Babbage inspired entrance, based on the concept art from StarCitizen:Ian Leyland.<ref>Manchester Goods Yard Reception, John Raine, Youtube, 22 April 2025</ref><ref>Manchester Goods Yard Reception, jrdf.co.uk</ref>
Voyager bar
There's an actual Voyager Bar at the Cloud Imperium Games Manchester studio, based on [[StarCitizen::Category:Concept Art|concept art]] by StarCitizen:Chris Doretz for the in-game one.<ref>Star Citizen | CitizenCon Direct: October 11, 2025, Star Citizen, Youtube, 11 October 2025</ref><ref>"[...] theres even a lot more thats based on my concepts, the bar and a couple of other props for example :)", @cdoretz, Twitter, Apr 22, 2025</ref>
Screening Room
There has been a StarCitizen:screening room at the Manchester studio since September 2025, following three years of construction. It allows teams to demonstrate content for upcoming patches or any video production, for marketing purposes, for example, under the best possible conditions.
The Only Constant
The set on StarCitizen:The Only Constant is located there.
Scale models
The HQ features a number of [[StarCitizen::Category:Scale model|scale models]] and [[StarCitizen::Category:Mannequin|mannequins]], mostly made by StarCitizen:Mangostone.
Gallery
Template:For <tabber> |-|Offices = Template:Gallery |-|Under construction = Template:Gallery |-|Concept = Template:Gallery |-|Scale models = Template:Gallery </tabber>
Other studios
See also
Trivia
- It has solar panels to supplement electricity.<ref name=":2" />