Atari Trying to Sell Cryptic Studios

Atari acquired Cryptic Studios back in 2008, but their brief partnership is coming to an end. Atari has announced it is trying sell the studio.

In an earnings report, Atari said the move was part of a larger strategy to own fewer in-house developers as well as move to mobile and casual online titles. "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," it said in a statement.

Thankfully, Cryptic says that it'll be business as usual for Star Trek Online and Champions Online players, and that the company is also going forward with its other projects, including a Neverwinter game.

Last week, one of Atari's existing studios – Test Drive Unlimited 2's Eden Studios – went on a symbolic day-long strike to protest a recent round of layoffs and the company's "mismanagement."