View source for Cloud Imperium

[[Image: Org-CIG.jpg|thumb|right|The logo of CIG]]

'''Cloud Imperium''' (CI) or '''Cloud Imperium Group''' is the group of companies behind the development and publication of the video games [[Star Citizen|''Star Citizen'']] and [[Squadron 42|''Squadron 42'']]. For legal reasons, its corporate structure and ownership is complicated, with multiple versions of companies branded Cloud Imperium, [[Roberts Space Industries]], and formerly [[Foundry 42]] in different countries. It was co-founded by game developer [[Chris Roberts]], [[Sandi Gardiner]], and international media attorney [[Ortwin Freyermuth]] in April 2012,<ref name="Core-CI">[https://cloudimperiumgames.com/core Core - Cloud Imperium]</ref> with [[Erin Roberts]] joining the team in 2013.<ref name="Press-CI">[https://cloudimperiumgames.com/pages/press Press - Cloud Imperium]</ref> As of late 2023 the employee count was at around 1300.<ref>[[CitizenCon 2953]] [[Jared Huckaby]] closing talk on day 1</ref>

== Official description ==
{{quote|Cloud Imperium is a new kind of independent studio dedicated to delivering AAA games outside the established publisher system. Founded in 2012 by renowned visionary game developer Chris Roberts (Wing Commander series, Freelancer, Privateer), Sandi Gardiner, and international media lawyer and producer Ortwin Freyermuth (Carlito's Way, Shattered, Das Boot - Director's Cut), with industry veteran and studio director Erin Roberts (Lego videogame series, Starlancer, Privateer) joining the team in 2013. Cloud Imperium is creating Star Citizen, a record-shattering largely crowdfunded space sim, and Squadron 42, a Hollywood-caliber story-driven single-player game set in the same universe. Cloud Imperium operates in "open development" – sharing progress and updates with our backers in near real time. This paradigm-shifting development process (game development usually occurs behind closed doors) means players know the ins and outs of Star Citizen and Squadron 42's development, interact with and give feedback to our developers, and ensures that we are making the games they want to play.<ref name="Core-CI" />}}

== Structure ==
{{Editorial Note|'''Note''': The following list might not contain all of the subsidiaries under Cloud Imperium, nor all information as business records are behind paywall in countries other than UK.}}
Cloud Imperium has subsidiaries in both the United States and Europe.<ref name="Legal-CI">[https://cloudimperiumgames.com/pages/legal Legal - Cloud Imperium]</ref> Under the Cloud Imperium Group, companies under the name of Cloud Imperium Games act as the developer of Star Citizen, they are responsible for the development studio; companies under the name of Roberts Space Industries act as the publisher of Star Citizen, they are responsible for the sales and marketing of the game; companies under the name of Cloud Imperium Rights act as the legal agent for the group.<ref name="companyregister" group="Annotation">Information available in multiple legal documents from company registries. For companies in California, please refer to [https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/ California Secretary of State Business Search]. For companies in Delaware, please refer to [https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx Division of Corporations - State of Delaware]. For companies in Texas, please refer to [https://mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/Index.html Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts]. For companies in UK, please refer to [https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/ Companies House]. For companies in Germany, please refer to [https://www.unternehmensregister.de/ureg/?submitaction=language&language=en Company register in Germany].</ref> On 2019-03-06, Foundry 42 Limited rebranded to Cloud Imperium Games Limited for brand unification.<ref>[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>

=== Board of Directors ===
Cloud Imperium's [[:Category:Board members|Board of Directors]] consists of five members. Chris Roberts retains full control of the Cloud Imperium Board and Group.<ref>[https://cloudimperiumgames.com/blog/corporate/cloud-imperium-board-of-director-updates Cloud Imperium Board of Director Updates]</ref>

==== Current members ====
* [[Chris Roberts]] (also known as Christopher Roberts)
* [[Erin Roberts]] (also known as Erin David Roberts)
* [[Eli Klein]] (also known as [[Ezer Klein]])
* [[Sandi Gardiner]] (also known as Sandi Roberts)
* [[Marc Nitsche]]

==== Former members ====
* [[Dan Offner]] (also known as Daniel O'Connell)
* [[Ortwin Freyermuth]] (also known as Ortwin Sam Freyermuth)

=== Companies ===
[[File:Cloud Imperium Games Corp.jpg|thumb|Earliest known logo of Cloud Imperium Games before the game reveal]]
==== United States ====
{{Editorial Note|'''Note''': Company registry in the United States does not have a permalink, please refer to the reference section for the information on how to access records.<ref name="companyregister" group="Annotation" /> More information of business records are available behind paywall.}}

* {{ubl
   |'''Cloud Imperium US, LLC'''
   |'''Registration''': Registered in Delaware (and California), filing number 6607598 (DE), 201731210301 (CA)
   |'''Address''': 12322 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
   |'''Directors''': Chris Roberts, Ortwin Freyermuth
   |'''Incorporated''': 2017-11-07
   |'''Previously''': '''Cloud Imperium LLC''' (2017-11-07 - 2018-11-08)
  }}
** {{ubl
   |'''Cloud Imperium Games, LLC'''
   |'''Registration''': Registered in California, filing number 201210110434
   |'''Address''': 12322 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
   |'''Directors''': Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts
   |'''Incorporated''': 2012-04-10
   |'''Previously''': '''Cloud Imperium Services, LLC''' (2012-04-09 - 2013-03-21)
  }}
** {{ubl
    |'''Cloud Imperium Games Texas, LLC'''
    |'''Registration''': Registered in Texas, filing number 801860496
    |'''Address''': 13420 Galleria Cir. Ste A-250 Bee Cave, TX 78738 USA
    |'''Incorporated''': 2012-10-02
   }}
** {{ubl
   |'''Roberts Space Industries LLC'''
   |'''Registration''': Registered in Delaware (and California in 2018-03-14), filing number 5231421 (DE), 201808710439 (CA), formerly registered in Texas, filing number 802983264
   |'''Address''': 12322 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
   |'''Directors''': Christopher Roberts, Ortwin Freyermuth, Erin Roberts
   |'''Incorporated''': 2012-10-23
  }}
** {{ubl
   |'''Cloud Imperium Rights, LLC'''
   |'''Registration''': Registered in California, filing number 201723810140
   |'''Address''': 12322 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
   |'''Directors''': Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts
   |'''Incorporated''': 2017-08-22
  }}
* {{ubl
   |'''Cloud Imperium Games Corporation'''
   |'''Registration''': Registered in Delaware (and California), filing number 5143349 (DE), C3552809 (CA)
   |'''Address''': 12322 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
   |'''Directors''': Chris Roberts, Ortwin Freyermuth, Simon Elms
   |'''Incorporated''': 2012-04-20
  }}

==== Europe ====
{{Editorial Note|'''Note''': Company registry copies in Germany are behind paywall. Only limited information are available as of now.}}

* {{ubl
   |'''Cloud Imperium UK Limited'''<ref name="CI-LTD">[https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08815227 Cloud Imperium UK Limited - Companies House UK]</ref>
   |'''Registration''': Registered in England and Wales, Companies House registration [https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08815227 8815227]
   |'''Address''': Freedom House, Church Street, Wilmslow, SK9 1AX United Kingdom
   |'''Directors''': Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts, Ezer Klein, Marc Nitsche, Sandi Roberts
   |'''Incorporated''': 2013-12-13
   |'''Previously''': '''Cloud Imperium Games UK Limited''' (2013-12-13 - 2018-12-21)
  }}
** {{ubl
   |'''Cloud Imperium Games Limited'''<ref name="CIG-LTD" />
   |'''Registration''': Registered in England and Wales, Companies House registration [https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08703814 8703814]
   |'''Address''': Freedom House, Church Street, Wilmslow, SK9 1AX United Kingdom
   |'''Directors''': Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts
   |'''Incorporated''': 2013-09-24
   |'''Previously''': '''Foundry 42 Limited''' (2013-09-24 - 2019-03-07)
  }}
** {{ubl
   |'''Roberts Space Industries Germany GmbH'''<ref name="RSI-GMBH">[https://www.unternehmensregister.de/ureg/registerPortal.html;jsessionid=A842FCF928B65D526A201023C64EA6B7.web04-1 Roberts Space Industries Germany GmbH - Company Register Germany]</ref>
   |'''Registration''': Registered in District court of Frankfurt am Main, registration HRB 110627
   |'''Address''': Europa-Allee 52, D-60327 Frankfurt a. Main
   |'''Directors''': Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts
   |'''Incorporated''': 2017
  }}
** {{ubl
   |'''Roberts Space Industries International Limited'''<ref name="RSI-LTD">[https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08882924 Roberts Space Industries International Limited - Companies House UK]</ref>
   |'''Registration''': Registered in England and Wales, Companies House registration [https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08882924 8882924]
   |'''Address''': Freedom House, Church Street, Wilmslow, SK9 1AX United Kingdom
   |'''Directors''': Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts
   |'''Incorporated''': 2014-02-07
  }}
** {{ubl
   |'''Cloud Imperium Rights Limited'''<ref name="CIR-LTD">[https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10934694 Cloud Imperium Rights Limited - Companies House UK]</ref>
   |'''Registration''': Registered in England and Wales, Companies House registration [https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10934694 10934694]
   |'''Address''': Freedom House, Church Street, Wilmslow, SK9 1AX United Kingdom
   |'''Directors''': Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts
   |'''Incorporated''': 2017-08-29
  }}

==== Defunct entities ====
{{Editorial Note|'''Note''': Roberts Space Industries Corp. is converted to Roberts Space Industries LLC listed above. The incorporation date and surrender date match the record above.}}

* {{ubl
   |'''Roberts Space Industries Corp.'''
   |'''Registration''': Registered in Delaware (also California in 2013-04-16 and Texas in 2016-11-18), filing number 5231421 (DE), C3552808 (CA), 802586715 (TX)
   |'''Address''': 12322 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
   |'''Directors''': Chris Roberts, Ortwin Freyermuth, Simon Elms
   |'''Incorporated''': 2012-10-23
   |'''Defunct''': 2018-03-14
  }}
* {{ubl
   |'''Cloud Imperium Games, LLC'''
   |'''Registration''': Registered in Texas, filing number 801701457
   |'''Incorporated''': 2012-12-17
   |'''Defunct''': 2016-05-10
  }}
{{Editorial Note|'''Note''': Gemini 42 companies are related to CI based on the type of company and shareholder in the Statement of Information (SI) filing.}}
* {{ubl
   |'''Gemini 42 Entertainment, LLC'''
   |'''Registration''': Registered in California, filing number 201336510097
   |'''Address''': 12322 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
   |'''Directors''': Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts
   |'''Incorporated''': 2013-12-26
   |'''Defunct''': 2019-01-09
  }}
* {{ubl
   |'''Gemini 42 Productions, LLC'''
   |'''Registration''': Registered in California, filing number 201406310360
   |'''Address''': 12322 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
   |'''Directors''': Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts
   |'''Incorporated''': 2014-02-28
   |'''Defunct''': 2019-01-09
  }}

=== Teams ===
The development studios under Cloud Imperium Games are divided into different disciplines and teams.<ref>[https://youtu.be/sehdYoXORzw?t=196 CitizenCon 2949 - microTechnicalities]</ref><ref>{{Cite RSI|url=comm-link/transmission/17341-Star-Citizen-Monthly-Report-October-2019|text=Star Citizen Monthly Report: October 2019}}</ref>

{{Note|The team names are compiled from monthly reports, though the hierarchy might not be accurate.}}

* Animation
* Artificial Intelligence
** Character combat
** Ship AI
** Social AI
* Audio
** Dialogue
* Backend services
* Character
** Character Art
* Cinematics
* [[:Category:Concept art images|Concept art]]
* Design
** Economy
** FPS mining
* DevOps
** Build
** Publishing
* Engineering
** Actor feature
** Engine
** Physics
* Environment art
** Landing zone (locations)
** Modular
** Organics
** Space scaping
* FPS
* Gameplay feature
** Gameplay story
** Persistent Universe gameplay
* Graphics
* Mission feature
* Level design
** Social
** Spaceflight
** Dogfight
* Lighting
* Live design (Design)
* Narrative
* Player relations
* Props
* QA
** SQ42 test
* Ship art
* System design
* Tech animation
* Tech art
* Technical design
* Tools
* Usable
* User interface
** UI art
** UI tech
* Vehicle feature
* VFX
* Weapon art

== Partnerships ==
=== Turbulent ===
On 2019-12-04, Cloud Imperium UK Limited (CI UK Ltd.) and [[Turbulent]] extended their partnership through mutual investment. CI UK Ltd. purchased 22,250 shares of Turbulent stock directly from  Turbulent co-founders [[Marc Beaudet]] and [[Benoit Beausejour]], making Cloud Imperium UK a 25% shareholder, and acquired two seats on the Turbulent board. Meanwhile, Marc Beaudet and Benoit Beauséjour each acquired 1,170 shares in CI UK Ltd..<ref>[https://cloudimperiumgames.com/blog/corporate/cloud-imperium-and-turbulent-extend-their-long-running-partnership-through-mutual-investment Cloud Imperium & Turbulent Extend Their Long-Running Partnership Through Mutual Investment]</ref> Cloud Imperium Games acquired Turbulent in July 2023.<ref name=":0">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/19378-Turbulent-Joins-Cloud-Imperium-Games|text=Turbulent Joins Cloud Imperium Games.|accessdate=2023-07-13}}</ref><ref>[https://medium.com/turbulent-fr/turbulent-rejoint-cloud-imperium-games-a14bac3ecba8 Turbulent rejoint Cloud Imperium Games, Benoit et Marc], Medium.com, 2023-07-13</ref> CIG merger with Turbulent brings the headcount to 1110 at the time<ref name=":0" />.

== Official Links ==
*[https://cloudimperiumgames.com/ Cloud Imperium Games website]
*[http://www.robertsspaceindustries.com/ Roberts Space Industries website]
*[https://www.facebook.com/RobertsSpaceIndustries Official RSI Facebook group]
*[https://www.youtube.com/RobertsSpaceInd Official RSI YouTube channel]
*[https://twitter.com/RobertsSpaceInd Official RSI Twitter account]
*[https://www.instagram.com/robertsspaceind Official RSI Instagram account]
*[https://www.facebook.com/Squad42 Official Facebook Page for Squadron 42]
*[https://twitter.com/squadron_42 Official Twitter Page for Squadron 42]
*[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cig/star-citizen?ref=category Official Star Citizen Kickstarter Campaign]

== See also ==
*[[Development Team]]
*[[Crytek v Cloud Imperium Games]]

== Trivia ==

* Several items in the game ''Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues'' are named after Cloud Imperium due to a cross promotion.
* The first offices of CIG in Austin were in in the basement of a historic home which housed the archeology department of an environmental firm. CIG remained there for about a year until it became overcrowded with almost 40 people, with PCs having to be carried over one's head rather than in front due to the lack of space and stern looks when one would bump into someone's chair, with CIG moving to a new office in Austin in January 2014 where they remain as of 2024.<ref name=":1">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_70W7tda_Uc Star Citizen Live: Meet the Devs - Publishing and Corporate Technology], Star Citizen, YouTube, 9 February 2024</ref>
* The first infrastucture were two tower servers in a Harry Potter style under the staircase closet that also served as office, with a black contractor tarp over the top of the servers to protect them from any leaks from the above sewer pipes.<ref name=":1" />

== Annotation ==
{{Reflist|group=Annotation}}

== References ==
<references />
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