Google DeepMind has announced a partnership with Fenris Creations, the studio behind the popular game Eve Online, by acquiring a minority stake in the company to explore AI behavior in complex gaming environments. This investment follows Fenris’s recent independence from publisher Pearl Abyss, allowing the studio to innovate within its game ecosystem. The initial research will take place in offline, controlled versions of Eve Online, separate from the game’s live Tranquility server, to ensure a safe testing environment for AI developments. Further details on this collaboration are expected to be shared at the upcoming Eve Fanfest in Reykjavik.
Pearl Abyss: Pearl Abyss is a South Korean game company specializing in MMOs such as the Black Desert series and acting as a publisher for other titles. It supported CCP Games for over seven years before facilitating the studio’s spin-out to Fenris Creations as an independent entity. The transition preserves the operational continuity of Eve Online development.
Demis Hassabis: Demis Hassabis is the co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, leading efforts toward artificial general intelligence with a background in game AI and neuroscience. He expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Fenris Creations, citing long-term admiration for the team’s creation of Eve Online’s complex universe. Hassabis highlighted the opportunity to explore AI safely within such environments.
Google DeepMind: Google DeepMind is a prominent AI research organization under Alphabet focused on developing advanced artificial intelligence systems for complex problem-solving in areas like scientific discovery and gaming. It has acquired a minority stake in Fenris Creations to leverage offline versions of Eve Online as a unique sandbox for safely testing AI behaviors in intricate player-driven environments. The partnership aims to advance general-purpose AI research through collaborations with innovative game studios.
Fenris Creations: Fenris Creations, formerly CCP Games, is an Icelandic studio that develops and maintains Eve Online, a persistent massively multiplayer online game featuring emergent player economies and conflicts. The studio recently transitioned to independence by spinning out from Pearl Abyss and rebranded to focus on the long-term sustainability of its virtual universe. It partnered with Google DeepMind to provide controlled game simulations for AI experimentation.
Alexandre Moufarek: Alexandre Moufarek is the Director of Inception at Google DeepMind, overseeing product development for AI foundation models and agent research with a focus on gaming applications. Recently promoted, he leads initiatives blending AI and interactive experiences. Moufarek described Eve Online as an unparalleled simulation for advancing general-purpose AI in controlled settings.
Hilmar Veigar Pétursson: Hilmar Veigar Pétursson serves as the founder and CEO of Fenris Creations, guiding the studio’s vision for expansive virtual worlds like Eve Online and its spin-offs. He spearheaded the recent rebranding and independence from Pearl Abyss while announcing the strategic alliance with Google DeepMind. Pétursson emphasized ongoing player support as key to the studio’s evolution.
`json
{
“Research Sandbox”: “AI testing occurs in offline, controlled Eve Online environments disconnected from the live Tranquility server to ensure safety.”,
“Event Announcement”: “Further partnership details will be unveiled at the annual Eve Fanfest event in Reykjavik.”,
“Studio Independence”: “Fenris Creations regained full independence after parting ways with Pearl Abyss, enabling focused evolution of its game ecosystem.”
}
`