Google to Test AI Models in EVE Online

Icelandic studio CCP Games announced its renaming to Fenris Creations after completing its separation from former parent company Pearl Abyss. Simultaneously, the company announced the launch of a research partnership with Google DeepMind, aimed at studying intelligence in complex dynamic systems.

Fenris Creations CEO Hilmar Veigar noted that the transitional period independently gives the studio full control over development and the ability to invest in long-term projects. According to him, the company's key project — EVE Online — is initially created as a "living" universe, requiring constant development.

Demis Hassabis, co-founder and head of Google DeepMind, emphasized that games traditionally serve as an ideal environment for testing artificial intelligence algorithms. The partnership with Fenris Creations will allow exploring new approaches to AI training — including long-term planning, memory, and continuous learning — based on the complex EVE Online game ecosystem.

The deal to exit the Pearl Abyss structure is valued at $120 million and includes monetary and non-monetary components. However, the changes only concern ownership and management: the team, projects, and development strategy remain the same. The company stressed that the reorganization does not involve layoffs, and the headquarters in Iceland and studios in Reykjavik, London, and Shanghai will continue to operate as usual.

As part of the agreement, Google also acquired a minority stake in Fenris Creations. An offline version of EVE Online, deployed on local servers, will be used for research, allowing for safe testing of AI models.