Google DeepMind Takes Part in Developing ‘Eve Online’, Will Use Games to Test Behavioral AI

Google DeepMind said Wednesday that it is partnering with CCP Games, acquiring a small stake in the Icelandic studio behind the massively multiplayer online game Eve Online, with plans to study how artificial intelligence works within complex, player-driven environments.

This amount, which DeepMind told Bloomberg is valued in the millions of dollars, it comes as a CCP he announced that it has become an independent studio, spun off from publisher Pearl Abyss and reorganized into Fenris Creations. According to founder and CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, this new format and partners help the company to continuously evolve “a living environment and explore (examine) what it can be, with endless ideas.”

“We are grateful to Pearl Abyss for their cooperation and the constant support they have shown us over the past seven and a half years,” Pétursson said in a statement. “Eve Online exists today thanks to pioneering thinking, patience, and trust between developers and players.”

Fenris Creations he announced The team and Google on Wednesday added that the two companies plan to share information at the annual Eve Fanfest event in Reykjavik next week.

“I’ve known Hilmar for many years and admire his work, and I’m excited to partner with him and the fantastic team at Fenris Creations to explore new games and advance AI research safely within an amazing player-driven environment like Eve Online,” Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said in a statement.

According to Fenris, the research tests will be conducted in an online, controlled version of the Eve Online world that is not connected to Tranquility, the live server.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind simulation to test artificial intelligence in a safe sandbox environment,” said Alexandre Moufarek, director of inception at Google DeepMind. “I’m excited to partner with the Fenris Creations team to push the boundaries of creative intelligence and explore the player experience.”

Eve Online was launched in 2003 and runs an entire player world that includes markets, political alliances, and massive battles triggered by player behavior. In 2024, the studio to be revealed Eve Frontier, the survival mode on the chain MMO that continued Redstoneand Ethereum layer-2 network, in 2024.

The game has been around ever since moved to layer-1 network Sui in its mainnet setup. It is unclear whether DeepMind’s research will extend to the Eve Frontier social network or whether it will focus more on AI interactions.

Fenris is said to have closed 2025 with its strongest financial results in the history of the game, including a November record with one of its best positions on record.

“New Eden is alive because you continue to be alive. We were able to change so much because of you,” the company said. Because you continue to believe in Eva, because you continue to support us. Because you keep opposing us. Because, after all these years, you’re still creating the most amazing gaming world by our side.