Cloud Imperium



Cloud Imperium (CI) or Cloud Imperium Group is a group of companies behind the development and publication of Star Citizen and Squadron 42. The actual corporate structure and ownership is complicated due to legal reasons, 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, with Erin Roberts joining the team in 2013. The most recent information puts the employee count at around 800 in total.

Official description
"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."

Structure
Cloud Imperium has subsidiaries in both the United States and Europe. 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. On 2019-03-06, Foundry 42 Limited rebranded to Cloud Imperium Games Limited for brand unification.

Board of Directors
Cloud Imperium's Board of Directors consists of six members. Chris Roberts retains full control of the Cloud Imperium Board and Group.

Current members

 * Chris Roberts (also known as Christopher Roberts)
 * Ortwin Freyermuth (also known as Ortwin Sam Freyermuth)
 * 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)

United States

 * 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)
 * 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)
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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

 * Cloud Imperium UK Limited

Registration: Registered in England and Wales, Companies House registration 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)
 * Cloud Imperium Games Limited

Registration: Registered in England and Wales, Companies House registration 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)
 * Roberts Space Industries Germany GmbH

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
 * Roberts Space Industries International Limited

Registration: Registered in England and Wales, Companies House registration 8882924

Address: Freedom House, Church Street, Wilmslow, SK9 1AX United Kingdom

Directors: Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts

Incorporated: 2014-02-07
 * Cloud Imperium Rights Limited

Registration: Registered in England and Wales, Companies House registration 10934694

Address: Freedom House, Church Street, Wilmslow, SK9 1AX United Kingdom

Directors: Ortwin Freyermuth, Christopher Roberts, Erin Roberts

Incorporated: 2017-08-29

Defunct entities

 * 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
 * Cloud Imperium Games, LLC

Registration: Registered in Texas, filing number 801701457

Incorporated: 2012-12-17

Defunct: 2016-05-10


 * 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
 * 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.


 * Animation
 * Artificial Intelligence
 * Character combat
 * Ship AI
 * Social AI
 * Audio
 * Dialogue
 * Backend services
 * Character
 * Character Art
 * Cinematics
 * 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
 * Tools
 * Usable
 * User interface
 * UI art
 * UI tech
 * Vehicle feature
 * VFX
 * Weapon art

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. . Cloud Imperium Games acquired Turbulent in July 2023. CIG merger with Turbulent brings the headcount to 1110 at the time.

Official Links

 * Cloud Imperium Games website
 * Roberts Space Industries website
 * Official RSI Facebook group
 * Official RSI Youtube channel
 * Official RSI Twitter account
 * Official RSI Instagram account
 * Official Facebook Page for Squadron 42
 * Official Twitter Page for Squadron 42
 * Official Star Citizen Kickstarter Campaign

Trivia

 * Several items in the game Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues are named after Cloud Imperium due to a cross promotion.