Cryptic Studios

Founded in 2000 and based in Los Gatos, CA, Cryptic Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary and developer of massively-multiplayer online games, one of which is Star Trek Online. Cryptic first developed the games City of Heroes and City of Villains, both run by Paragon Studios until November 30, 2012, as well as the superhero-themed Champions Online. Their current projects include Neverwinter Online and a development of Magic: The Gathering.

On May 18, 2011 Atari announced it intended to sell Cryptic Studios as Atari planned to focus on other markets. On May 31, Perfect World Entertainment announced they would buy Cryptic and the acquisition was completed August 9 for a total price of $49.8 million.

About Cryptic Studios
Cryptic Studios is a developer of massively multiplayer online role playing games, with a signature style being extreme versatility in player customization. It developed the innovative and successful City of Heroes, as well as its subsequent expansion, City of Villains. Their titles have received several major rewards:
 * City of Heroes: GameSpy's Game of the Year (2004), Games Magazine: Game of the Year (2004), Spike TV 2004 Video Game Awards: MMORPG Game of the Year (2004), Computer Gaming World: MMORPG Game of the Year (2004), Beckett Massive Online Gamer: Best Sci-Fi/Superhero Game (2009)
 * City of Villains: WarCry's Best Expansion E3 (2004)
 * Star Trek Online: Massive Online Gamer's Best New MMO (2010)

Cryptic associates

 * Chief Executive Officer - Stephen D'Angelo

Major project responsibilities
(Strikethrough indicates a developer no longer performing that role.)
 * Crafting: Borticus
 * Department Head system: CaptainGeko
 * Dilithium economy: JHeinig
 * Duty officer system: Heretic ; Archon ; Borticus
 * Fleet starbase: Heretic ; JHeinig
 * PvP: Gozer ; Chris Dods
 * STO Gateway: POZ

No longer on the Star Trek Online team

 * Former Cryptic associates:
 * Chief Executive Officer - Jack Emmert
 * Chief Operating Officer - Craig Zinkievich
 * Chief Financial Officer - Hindol Datta