A report from Insider Gaming points to more issues at Cloud Imperium Games, with the studio reportedly losing “integral” staff regarding server meshing and having been hit with more layoffs across all its departments.
According to Insider Gaming, after Roger Godfrey’s departure in December 2024, Ivan Corbett and Jordan Wood have left the studio, leaving no producers at Cloud Imperium Games working on server meshing. Sources Insider Gaming spoke to described all three leaving as a “huge loss” for Cloud Imperium Games.
It’s the latest news in what’s been a rocky time for Star Citizen and Cloud Imperium Games. Last year, the studio suffered layoffs in February and November 2024, and just ahead of the November layoff, a separate report from Insider Gaming described an internal environment where developers are overworked on anything but finishing Star Citizen to launch it out of the early access state it has remained in for its entire existence.
More recently, CIG has come under fire from players for its ‘pay-to-win’ Flight Blades. Players made their vitriol known to the point where CIG released a statement, admitting that it had “missed a step” with its implementation of Flight Blades, and that in an upcoming June update, players will be able to acquire them through in-game currency instead of just being able to buy them with real money.
“The choice has and should always be yours. If you want to support the project early, you can, but it’s not required. If you own a game package, you’ll be able to pick these up with in-game currency in our next monthly patch. And for future gameplay kit introductions, we’ll ensure these items are obtainable in-game on day one,” CIG wrote in its statement.
“Thanks to everyone who’s weighed in, especially those who brought the heat constructively. This game has always been shaped by the community. Star Citizen wouldn’t exist without your passion and support, or your scrutiny and feedback. We hear you, and we take it all to heart.“
Players were not appeased with this though, with many of the comments underneath still calling out the studio, claiming that it was always their plan to get players to buy into Flight Blades through “FOMO” and then offer them as an in-game item later.
It’s definitely been a difficult time for CIG, but just how much this will impact Star Citizen remains to be seen. Earlier this year, CIG passed $800 million in crowdfunding for the game, which has been in early access since 2012.
