Atari to sell Cryptic, Champions Online developer

Atari to sell Cryptic, Champions Online developer
Jamin Smith Updated on by

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Atari is looking to sell Cryptic Studios, the developer of Champions Online, it has announced in an earnings report today.

The publisher has called the studio a “discontinued operation”, as of March 31.

“In line with the previously stated strategy of fewer but more profitable releases and further expansion into casual online and mobile games, the Company has determined that external development creates more flexibility in the changing marketplace,” the publisher has said, justifying the move.

Last fiscal year, the studio reported losses of €5.3 million – which although an improvement on the previous year (€12.6 million) – is still a disheartening figure.

Atari has said it’ll support development of all projects up until the studio is sold. Work on the new Neverwinter game is also set to continue, at least for the time being.

Cryptic has offered little in the way of comment, but a post made on the Star Trek Online forums stressed that “support for Champions Online and Star Trek Online will be continuing as normal”.