Pearl Abyss, better known as the developer of action MMO Black Desert Online, has acquired CCP Games. You might best know the latter for its insane MMO/spreadsheet manager EVE Online.
A press release stated, “The deal outlines that CCP Games will continue to operate independently as a developer with studios in Reykjavik, London and Shanghai while integrating the company’s extensive development and publishing expertise into Pearl Abyss’ operations for all current and future projects.”
Though CCP Games has had mixed success with off-shoots like EVE: Valkyrie, the developer’s main MMO continues to be as popular as ever. It’s been consistently receiving quality of life updates and expansions, the most recent being Into The Abyss, which launched in May 2018.
For its part, Pearl Abyss’ Black Desert Online has been a strong success for the company since launching in 2015 for Korea. It subsequently made its way to North America and Europe in 2016 for PC, and is currently in development for Xbox One.
Regarding the deal, CCP CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson stated, “I have been seriously impressed with what Pearl Abyss has achieved ever since I first visited their website for Black Desert Online and subsequently became an avid player of the game.
“Pearl Abyss is a fast-growing company with lots to offer in terms of technology, capability and vision. I believe our two companies have a lot to learn from each other. We are very excited to join forces with them and achieve great new heights for our companies, our games and – above all – our players.”
Given the expertise that both companies have with MMOs (and despite their respective controversies), it should be interesting to see what they could achieve together. Furthermore, it remains to be seen if Black Desert Online could expand further into other territories as a result.