Star Citizen is shutting down its LA office

[Montoya]

Esteemed Chairman's Club Member,

As we push full steam ahead on Squadron 42 and Star Citizen 1.0, we’re making some moves—literally!

As shared in a previous Letter from the Chairman, we’re taking steps to make sure our developers are right where they need to be for the final stretch, which means moving key staff to be closer to their teams and counterparts in other studios. That also means we’re saying a bittersweet goodbye to our Los Angeles studio.

Looks like Chris Roberts kept our schnapps bottles on his side table!

 

[Lorddarthvik]

Can't wait for the game urinalists making headlines about this:
"Billion dollar scam in trouble, shutters it's main studio!"

 

[Sky Captain]

I thought they transferred most staff to Austin and Manchester earlier anyway, at least those that would move. That's probably been a good thing for backers' pledge dollars. Having lived in Austin for 13 years, I'd say its a tech heavy town with a talent pool CIG can recruit from at lower cost than LA. Though its growing and that is changing.

 

[Ayeteeone]

I think it's pretty much been just the legal offices for a while now, although could easily be wrong.

Does this mean no more CitizenCon's in LA?? I went to the 2023 CitCon there and hung out with a bunch of other Testie's, was a fantastic experience but I won't miss it if we don't go back there.

Putting in a STRONG vote for Austin (damn fine BBQ) and Frankfurt (for it's own reasons!) for the next two, don't care which first :)

 

[LurchLord]

Doom I say, Doom forever and a million days. Dooooooooooooom.
All of the Doom, so much that it needs to be capitalized, dooming Doom looming behind the doomed horizon of Doom.

Also, Doom.

 

[Devil Dog Hog]

I think a CitCon in Austin would be alot easier for folks to drive to instead of flying. I know I would go now. Maybe those damn ticket prices can come down a bit as well.

 

[Ayeteeone]

Doom I say, Doom forever and a million days. Dooooooooooooom.
All of the Doom, so much that it needs to be capitalized, dooming Doom looming behind the doomed horizon of Doom.

Also, Doom.

Can you play Doom on that?

 

[stockish]

Also noted in an email, concierge get that Constellation painting in game in 4.1!

 

[Aramsolari]

Can’t say we didn’t see this coming. There’s always gonna be some scaling back with the game entering its end phase (lol maybe). What’s left then? Manchester, Austin, Frankfurt, and Montreal?

 

[Montoya]

Can’t say we didn’t see this coming. There’s always gonna be some scaling back with the game entering its end phase (lol maybe). What’s left then? Manchester, Austin, Frankfurt, and Montreal?

Austin has a fair amount of the QA guys and is needed to be the American office. Manchester, Frankfurt and Montreal are essential.

 

[Aramsolari]

Austin has a fair amount of the QA guys and is needed to be the American office. Manchester, Frankfurt and Montreal are essential.

Not to get into politics but do you reckon the current American distaste for globalization will affect Star Citizen’s development?

 

[maynard]

I'll start to worry when CGI opens offices in a country without an extradition treaty with the U.S.

 

[Montoya]

Not to get into politics but do you reckon the current American distaste for globalization will affect Star Citizen’s development?

Nah, no connection because there are no eggs involved.

 

[Raven_King]

And eggs are one of the most expensive commodities in the PU, whereas in the USA.... oh.

 

[Aramsolari]

Nah, no connection because there are no eggs involved.

Yeah. Us film guys are kind of in the same boat I guess. We’re providing a service and not really manufacturing anything.

Still, nobody has Star Citizen canceled due to WW3 on the bingo card!

 

[Mudhawk]

I am shocked!

Looks like Chris Roberts kept our schnapps bottles on his side table!

He got TWO bottles?
And he didn't even touch them?!
Small wonder they got to close bar over there.
Still, I wonder if he'll miss them if they get "lost" during the move...
(It's thirsty work after all)

 

[Radegast74]

I was wondering when they would shut it down. It just seemed like more people were getting moved out, or jobs were getting changed. Plus, it is so expensive to be in California.

Does this mean that Chris & family are also moving?

 

[Montoya]

I was wondering when they would shut it down. It just seemed like more people were getting moved out, or jobs were getting changed. Plus, it is so expensive to be in California.

Does this mean that Chris & family are also moving?

Chris has been working out of Manchester for a few years already. Im pretty sure the family is probably there.

 

[Radegast74]

Chris has been working out of Manchester for a few years already. Im pretty sure the family is probably there.

My completely uninformed belief was that he wanted some presence in LA, to eventually pivot towards filming a Star Citizen movie or series/TV streaming show. Maybe he has given up on that, or, it never really was what he wanted to do.

 

[Aramsolari]

My completely uninformed belief was that he wanted some presence in LA, to eventually pivot towards filming a Star Citizen movie or series/TV streaming show. Maybe he has given up on that, or, it never really was what he wanted to do.

Oh god no. His Wing Commander movie sucked bad....besides not exactly a good time to make TV shows at the moment.