'EVE Online' Development Studio Becomes Independent, Rebrands to 'Fenris Creations' and Begins Research Partnership with Google DeepMind
The development studio behind 'EVE Online', formerly CCP Games, has become independent and rebranded as 'Fenris Creations', initiating a research partnership with Google DeepMind. This move grants the studio independent governance and strategic freedom, allowing it to pursue new possibilities in AI research and game development.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 18:20
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 09:48 (16 min after Collected)
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – May 7, 2026 – Former CCP Games today announced its independence as a new entity, "Fenris Creations," under which it will now operate.
Fenris Creations will be governed by its own board of directors, returning to an operating model closer to its pre-2018 structure. This model is designed to support strategic decision-making in persistent live games and long-running virtual worlds. The shareholder structure consists of Fenris Creations' management team and investors who align with its long-term vision. According to Pearl Abyss's disclosures, the transaction value is 120 million USD, comprising both cash and in-kind consideration.
This change pertains to ownership structure and governance, with no alterations to business operations themselves. Fenris Creations will continue to be responsible for strategy, operations, and creative direction as an independent studio. Fenris Creations' management team, studio, products, and development plans all remain as before, with the members who have led the 'EVE Online' universe for many years continuing in leadership roles.
Coinciding with this transition, Fenris Creations has entered into a research partnership with Google DeepMind. This collaboration aims to deepen the understanding of intelligence in complex and dynamic systems. 'EVE Online' will be utilized as a unique and rich research environment to explore areas such as long-term planning, memory, and continuous learning. Google DeepMind will validate and evaluate AI models in a controlled environment using an offline version of 'EVE Online' running on local servers. Both parties will also jointly explore the potential for new gaming experiences leveraging these technologies.
As part of this transition, Google has invested in Fenris Creations, acquiring a minority stake in the company.
Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of Fenris Creations, stated:
"EVE is designed to exist for the long term. To achieve this, a continuous forward-looking approach is essential. This transition grants us the independence to enable direct ownership, clear accountability, and investment in a world that will continue to grow for decades. We are deeply grateful to Pearl Abyss for their support over the past seven and a half years. 'EVE Online' has endured to this day thanks to innovative thinking, perseverance, and the trust between developers and players. Under this new structure and partnership, we will carry on that legacy into the future, continuing its 'endless' evolution."
Demis Hassabis, Co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, commented:
"Games have been a huge part of my life since childhood, and my career began with designing and programming complex AI simulation games like 'Theme Park'. Games have also been central to many of Google DeepMind's breakthroughs, such as Atari DQN, AlphaGo, AlphaStar, and SIMA, because they provide the ideal environment for developing and testing AI algorithms. I have known Hilmar for many years and deeply respect his work. I am thrilled to work with the fantastic team at Fenris Creations to explore new gaming experiences and conduct safe AI research within an extremely complex, player-driven universe like 'EVE Online'."
Birgir Már Ragnarsson, Co-founder and Partner at Omega Ventures and Chairman of the Fenris Creations Board of Directors, stated:
"We have closely watched CCP's journey over the past few years and have great respect for their achievements. As Chairman, I have seen firsthand how well the company can perform under the right leadership. This new phase starts from a very strong position with an experienced management team and powerful partners. I am excited to be involved in this challenge and look forward to supporting Fenris Creations as it continues to make history."
Fenris Creations will also address the impact of this transition on its employees and the Icelandic community.
Fenris Creations will be governed by its own board of directors, returning to an operating model closer to its pre-2018 structure. This model is designed to support strategic decision-making in persistent live games and long-running virtual worlds. The shareholder structure consists of Fenris Creations' management team and investors who align with its long-term vision. According to Pearl Abyss's disclosures, the transaction value is 120 million USD, comprising both cash and in-kind consideration.
This change pertains to ownership structure and governance, with no alterations to business operations themselves. Fenris Creations will continue to be responsible for strategy, operations, and creative direction as an independent studio. Fenris Creations' management team, studio, products, and development plans all remain as before, with the members who have led the 'EVE Online' universe for many years continuing in leadership roles.
Coinciding with this transition, Fenris Creations has entered into a research partnership with Google DeepMind. This collaboration aims to deepen the understanding of intelligence in complex and dynamic systems. 'EVE Online' will be utilized as a unique and rich research environment to explore areas such as long-term planning, memory, and continuous learning. Google DeepMind will validate and evaluate AI models in a controlled environment using an offline version of 'EVE Online' running on local servers. Both parties will also jointly explore the potential for new gaming experiences leveraging these technologies.
As part of this transition, Google has invested in Fenris Creations, acquiring a minority stake in the company.
Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of Fenris Creations, stated:
"EVE is designed to exist for the long term. To achieve this, a continuous forward-looking approach is essential. This transition grants us the independence to enable direct ownership, clear accountability, and investment in a world that will continue to grow for decades. We are deeply grateful to Pearl Abyss for their support over the past seven and a half years. 'EVE Online' has endured to this day thanks to innovative thinking, perseverance, and the trust between developers and players. Under this new structure and partnership, we will carry on that legacy into the future, continuing its 'endless' evolution."
Demis Hassabis, Co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, commented:
"Games have been a huge part of my life since childhood, and my career began with designing and programming complex AI simulation games like 'Theme Park'. Games have also been central to many of Google DeepMind's breakthroughs, such as Atari DQN, AlphaGo, AlphaStar, and SIMA, because they provide the ideal environment for developing and testing AI algorithms. I have known Hilmar for many years and deeply respect his work. I am thrilled to work with the fantastic team at Fenris Creations to explore new gaming experiences and conduct safe AI research within an extremely complex, player-driven universe like 'EVE Online'."
Birgir Már Ragnarsson, Co-founder and Partner at Omega Ventures and Chairman of the Fenris Creations Board of Directors, stated:
"We have closely watched CCP's journey over the past few years and have great respect for their achievements. As Chairman, I have seen firsthand how well the company can perform under the right leadership. This new phase starts from a very strong position with an experienced management team and powerful partners. I am excited to be involved in this challenge and look forward to supporting Fenris Creations as it continues to make history."
Fenris Creations will also address the impact of this transition on its employees and the Icelandic community.