Cryptic Studios - Comic Writer Joins Marvel Universe Team

Cryptic Studios has announced that veteran comic writer John Layman has joined the Marvel Universe Online development team.

LOS GATOS, CA -- July 17, 2007 -- Cryptic Studios, Inc., a leading independent developer of massively-multiplayer online games, today announced that is has added to its growing talent pool with the hiring of design writer John Layman. Layman, a twelve-year veteran of the comic book industry and an accomplished game writer, joined the team in its Los Gatos headquarters on Monday, June 25. He will be lending his expertise to Marvel™ Universe Online, the highly-anticipated MMO currently in development for PC and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

"Having a creator like John on our side really demonstrates to our players -- present and future -- that we strive for authenticity when we bring a universe to life," said Michael Lewis, CEO of Cryptic Studios. "As a company, we are committed to hiring the most creative people in and out of the industry. It's all about delivering high-quality games that stay true to what both gamers and fans of the genre have come to expect from our studio.

Layman's comic credits include written work from several prominent Marvel Comics series, Including Gambit, House of M: Fantastic Four, and Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness. He is responsible for several creator-owned titles, including Puffed for Image Comics and Armageddon & Son for Oni Press. Layman also has several notable games to which he has contributed his writing, including Metroid: Hunters for the Nintendo DS™ and Marvel Trading Card Game for the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) handheld system.