John Needham, CEO of City Of Heroes and Star Trek Online developer Cryptic Studios, has left the firm to “pursue other opportunities within the game industry”, the studio has announced.
Needham was appointed as CEO in 2008, during which time he oversaw the launch of Star Trek Online (pictured) and the conversion of Champions Online to the free-to-play model.
“It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Cryptic these past several years,” he said. “It’s with a heavy heart that I now depart this company we’ve all worked so tirelessly to grow.
“We’ve done so very much together – two successful MMOG launches, The Foundry and a successful free-to-play transtition for Champions Online. I’m thankful for my time here and for all that we’ve accomplished.”
His successor will be Jack Emmert, Cryptic’s co-founder and former COO, who said: “As a colleague, I am sad to see John go. We will continue to set high goals for ourselves and under my leadership will continue to meet them.”
Emmert will report directly to Jim Wilson, CEO of Atari, who acquired Cryptic in December 2008.