Another one bites the dust… this time before it’s even live. CCP announced this morning that it is halting all development on the World of Darkness MMO, and focusing its studio entirely upon the EVE franchise. The 56 employees at the Atlanta studio that had been working on the MMO have lost their jobs due to the decision to cease development. Some have been offered positions elsewhere in the company, but for most, it’s time to put on the job-hunting hat.
CEO Hilmar Veigar Petursson stated that it was a hard decision, but one that had to be made as they were falling regrettably short of their goal of making an engaging sandbox experience that transported the player fully into the World of Darkness.
CCP CEO Hilmar Veigar Petursson said in a public letter:
The decision to end the World of Darkness MMO project is one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make. I have always loved and valued the idea of a sandbox experience set in that universe, and over the years I’ve watched the team passionately strive to make that possible.
I would like to give special thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make the World of Darkness MMO a reality, especially the team members affected by this decision. Their considerable contribution to CCP will not be forgotten, and we wish them well.
To our current and former employees and fans of World of Darkness, I am truly sorry that we could not deliver the experience that we aspired to make. We dreamed of a game that would transport you completely into the sweeping fantasy of World of Darkness, but had to admit that our efforts were falling regretfully short. One day I hope we will make it up to you.
Although this was a tough decision that affects our friends and family, uniting the company behind the EVE Universe will put us in a stronger position moving forward, and we are more committed than ever to solidify EVE as the biggest gaming universe in the world.
