Cloud Imperium Games

Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) is an independent video game developer and publisher founded in 2012 by Chris Roberts, Sandi Roberts (Gardiner), and Ortwin Freyermuth. The company develops large-scale science-fiction games outside the traditional publisher system, with a community-backed development model delivered through Roberts Space Industries.

CIG’s work centers on two connected flagship projects:

• Star Citizen, a persistent massively multiplayer space simulation built around seamless travel between space and planets, distributed server meshing, and ongoing live-service development.
• Squadron 42, a cinematic single-player adventure set in the same science-fiction universe.

Technology and production

The studio develops its games using StarEngine, its proprietary high-precision engine architecture evolved from CryEngine. Its supported technical specialties include distributed networking, server meshing, procedural planetary generation, photorealistic rendering, cinematic narrative design, and performance capture.

CIG combines full-lifecycle game development with direct-to-consumer digital publishing, live-operations infrastructure, server management, and community-driven crowdfunding platform services. Its work spans the technical systems required for a persistent online universe as well as narrative, content, and performance-driven game production.

Global development organization

The company’s production footprint includes development and publishing operations in the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and Canada. Manchester serves as CIG’s principal European development hub, while Austin supports US publishing, marketing, and community operations. Frankfurt focuses on engine technology and backend systems, and Cloud Imperium Games Montréal contributes game development and online-platform work.

CIG acquired longtime collaborator Turbulent Inc. in 2023. Turbulent’s gaming division was integrated into Cloud Imperium Games Montréal, adding development capacity for the company’s games and online ecosystem, while the Turbulent web-development agency continues under its own brand.

With more than 1,000 employees reported globally, CIG remains focused on the ongoing development of Star Citizen, Squadron 42, and the technology supporting their shared universe.