Eve Online dev CCP Games changes name to Fenris Creations, teams up with Google DeepMind AI

CCP Games just bought back its independence from Pearl Abyss for $120 million, and now the developer is changing its name and making an ambitious AI partnership.

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Eve Online developer CCP Games today announced big changes at the company. The group has rebranded to 'Fenris Creations' and has teamed up with Google's DeepMind AI to help build its EVE Forever initiative.

Specific details on the partnership and how exactly Google's AI will be used remain vague, however, the studio says that it's primarily research-based, and that all testing will be done in secured, offline versions of EVE. This isn't about funding, as Fenris Creations' CEO Hilmar Veigar explains that the game is still quite lucrative: "the company remains profitable, with strong reserves and the ability to keep investing in the long-term health of New Eden."

Veigar goes on to highlight how the DeepMind partnership will work, and how it can affect future content:

"As part of this next chapter, we are beginning a research partnership with Google DeepMind, focused on intelligence in complex, dynamic, player-driven systems. This is something I am genuinely excited about.

"I have spoken with the people at Google DeepMind about EVE many times over the years, and I will admit I never miss an opportunity to brag about what EVE players have built. And they let me gush because they share a love of games. Projects like AlphaGo and AlphaStar have been foundational in our understanding of intelligence, learning, and problem-solving.

"To be very clear: this initial research will take place in controlled, offline versions of EVE that are not connected to Tranquility. But it does open a door to work that feels very true to EVE: difficult problems, long timelines, strange possibilities, and people willing to explore what comes next."

"I want to be as upfront as possible in the days ahead. Questions will come up, and we will answer the ones we can."

South Korean publisher Pearl Abyss bought CCP Games back in 2018 for $225 million, and the company let go of the EVE Online developer because it was "beneficial for both companies."