Cloud Imperium Games Confirms Mass Layoff Rumors Due To Relocation And Restructuring

Cloud Imperium Games has confirmed ongoing rumors of multiple rounds of layoffs at the Star Citizen studio over the past few weeks. The layoffs were reportedly tied to the studio’s back-to-office mandate and multiple employees’ reluctance to move from Austin, Texas to the new office complex in Manchester, UK.

“Now that we are back in office and seeing the progress and quality of work when our teams are in-person working together, we have decided to co-locate as much development as possible, which has resulted in some minor staffing changes as we move some development positions closer to their core teams,” CIG told GamesIndustry.biz. “As a result of this consolidation, a small number of positions were eliminated and we continue to recruit for key roles within the company.”

Among those who were let go or voluntarily resigned included lead producer Jake Ross, game director Todd Papy, assistant design director Dan Trufin, former Turbulent producer Annie Bouffard, and several other senior developers.

“As part of our normal processes, we regularly look for ways to make our operations more efficient, which can include restructuring in order to place a position closer to the team it s,” the studio said.

Bouffard, however, regards the move as mass layoffs disguised as staff relocation, very few of whom “could/wanted to move to other countries/continents with little or no notice.” She was one of several high-ranking employees, including Todd Papy, who opted to resign from the company rather than be whisked away to another country.