Eve Online maker CCP Games is being acquired by Pearl Abyss, the studio behind Black Desert Online. CCP will continue to operate independently, but will also contribute to Black Pearl’s endeavors going forward.
CCP Games, creators of the famously complex spacefaring game Eve Online, will soon be acquired by Pearl Abyss. The South Korean developer and publisher is best known for its hit open-world action role-playing MMO Black Desert Online.
According to a press release issued today, CCP games “will continue to operate independently as a developer […] while integrating the company’s extensive development and publishing expertise into Pearl Abyss’ operations for all current and future projects.”
Reykjavik, Iceland-based CCP has been undergoing major transitions over the last few years. In late 2016, its flagship game Eve Online went free-to-play. Less than one year later, CCP announced a reorganization and a reduction in its efforts to make games for virtual reality. In April, 2018, long-time executive producer Andie “CCP Seagull” Nordgren announced that she would be departing the studio for other opportunities. Then, just last month, CCP announced that it would transition its Chinese servers to internet giant NetEase, who will be responsible for publishing duties going forward.
Related
Throughout it all, the Eve community has had its own ups and downs. Regardless, the game’s major player-led factions are still able to turn out players in great numbers for massive online battles. Pearl Abyss CEO Robin Jung said that’s one of the reasons his company is interested in taking on the more than 15-year-old MMO.
“We are thrilled to have CCP Games join our team as Black Desert Online continues to branch out globally,” Jung said in today’s press release . “CCP is a seasoned publisher with over 15 years of digital distribution experience and know-how. They have done an incredible job of engaging and maintaining their player base, which we aim to learn from and hope to integrate natively into Pearl Abyss’ general practices across all our games. I am confident CCP’s reputable IP and expertise in global publishing will help reaffirm our company’s dedication to developing and servicing the world’s best MMORPGs.”
CCP issued a separate statement to its community, saying that it remains committed to Eve going forward.
“Partnering up with another MMO developer means that we have an even greater shared depth of experience to pull from and can tackle even more (and bigger) long-term mutual goals,” wrote CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson. “If there is anything I have learned from Eve Online it’s that good things take time and great things take even longer.”
Black Desert Online launched in South Korea in 2014 and has since become a popular pastime in both Eastern and Western markets. Black Desert Mobile, a mobile version of the game, is expected to launch globally next year.
