Cryptic Studios
Overview
Cryptic Studios was founded in 2000 and is based in Los Gatos, California. It was founded by Michael Lewis, Rick Dakan, Bruce Rogers, and Jack Emmert. Cryptic launched City of Heroes on April 27th, 2004 and then City of Villains on October 31, 2005. The studio has produced two MMOs since City of Heroes. Champions Online launched on September 1, 2009 and Star Trek Online launched on February 2, 2010.
In 2008, Cryptic Studios was acquired by Infogrames/Atari.[1] In May 2011, Atari sold Cryptic Studios to Perfect World Co.[2]
Origin of the Name
Rick Dakan and Jack Emmert wanted to name the company Crypteia. The Crypteia were Spartan Warriors that preyed on the Helots, ancient Sparta's slave population. [3] Bruce Rogers thought it was too cryptic and suggested that their new company be called Cryptic Studios. [4]
Staff at City of Heroes Launch
Management Team
Michael Lewis, Bruce Rogers, Jack Emmert, Matt Harvey, Craig Zinkievich
Design Department
Jack Emmert, Al Rivera, Sean Michael Fish, Matthew Miller, Craig Zinkievich, Michael Lewis, Melissa Bianco, Brian Gilmore, E.J. Nelson, David Wood, Jane Kalmes, Thomas Foss, David Cook, Shane Lacy Hensley, Floyd Grubb, Josh Ferguson, Nelli Hughes, Randy William, Randy Mosiondz, Zeke Sparkes, John Yoo, Joe Morrissey
Programming Department
Bruce Rogers, Shannon Posniewski, Matt Woomer, Martin Simpson, C.W. Bennett, Mark Kalmes, Jimb Esser, Michael Parent, Jonathan Shieh, Jered Windshemier, Vince D'Amelio, Conor Dickinson, Raoul van Prooijen, Jonathan Wills, Aaron Brady, Lincoln Hamilton, Sam Thompson, Ben Zeigler, Brett Harris
Art Department
Matt Harvey, Steve Stacy, Jeremy Mattson, Chris Sutton, Chris Chamberlain, Nate Stephens, Jeff Jenkins, Ian Casteneda, Doug Gaston, Kirk Young, Ryan Roth, Ryan Butts, Mike Apolis, Ocala Bellows, Avery Wong, Mark Damico, Christopher Luckenbach, Jay Doherty, Ken Morse, Brian Wyser, Louise Bell, Duncan Kay, Davis Renshaw, Neil Melville, Nick Duguid, Shayne Herrera
Sound and Music Department
Michael Henry, Joe Lyford
Design Support Department
Geoff Tuffli, Rob Overmeyer, Ray Snyder
Production Department
Craig Zinkievich, Serdar Copur, Richard Higbee, Anthony Grandlich