Eve Online developer CCP shuts down its MMORPG World of Darkness

Sad news arrived today from Eve Online developer CCP Games. The company unfortunately announced that they are abandoning their work on the World of Darkness project. The MMORPG was meant to take place in the Vampire: The Masquerade universe and was being developed with a supernatural theme in mind.

Development on World of Darkness started back in 2009 but due to problems in Eve Online and several layoffs progress had been slow. In 2013 CCP admitted that the game was probably “still years away from launch”. Today Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, the company’s CEO stated that the project has been shut down completely. Sadly 56 employees working at their studio in Atlanta have been laid off, though many on them have been offered other jobs within CCP.

Hilmar issued the following statement regarding the unfortunate cancellation:

“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.”

An MMORPG taking place inside Vampire: The Masquerade’s universe would have been refreshing to see given the fact that there are few MMO’s out there that can be considered vampire-themed. Here’s hoping CCP will work even harder now on their remaining projects and especially on Eve Online.