The games industry is having a super-rough time right now, which is a light way of putting it. Sadly, Star Trek Online Developer Cryptic Studios is about to suffer another round of staff layoffs. Last year, in November 2023, the Embracer-owned studio was hit by a round of layoffs. Additionally, Cryptic Studios now also operates under free-to-play publisher/developer DECA Games.
LinkedIn posts from Star Trek Online’s development team members have revealed more layoffs. Unfortunately, these include members of STO’s art team and Senior Community Manager Mike Fatum, aka “Ambassador Kael”. Posting on his personal account, Fatum said, “Like many folks posting today, I now officially know my last date with Cryptic Studios.”.
He’s joined by Mauricio Tejerina, a senior artist, and Gianna Rockwell, an environment artist, from the Star Trek: Online Developer team. Character artist Amelia March has also revealed their departure.
The Future of Star Trek: Online
Layoffs generally suggest bad news for video games. It’s very unfortunate when game development studios lose talented and passionate people. What does today’s news mean for the future of Star Trek: Online? Even the CEO of Cryptic Studios, Phil Frazier, departed the development studio in July 2024. He now works at Wargaming. DECA Games, who now looks after STO, is confident about the future of MMO video games.
In a previous community update, the former CEO informed players of Star Trek: Online and Cryptic’s other popular MMO video games that DECA was being brought up to speed on handling the products. It was previously stated that no games would be closing. DECA plans to support these games “for many years to come”. Star Trek Online remains one of the best performers in Embracer’s back catalogue. Embracer is the owner of DECA Games.
It’s a sad day for the Star Trek: Online development team. We wish those receiving news that they are being laid off from Cryptic Studios all the best in their future adventures. They’ve been a fantastic asset to the STO development team and the wider Star Trek and gaming communities. Live Long and Prosper!
Like many games at the moment, Star Trek: Online’s future looks nervous. Players have the right to feel anxious about it.
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