The makers of the sci-fi spacefaring MMO EVE Online, CCP Games, revealed today that $40 million in funding had been obtained from outside sources. With the funding, the company will focus on the game’s research and development team. This will enable the development of a brand-new AAA game in the EVE Universe powered by blockchain technology.
CCP Games has Raised $40M Led by Andreessen Horowitz
“Since its inception, CCP Games’ vision has been to create virtual worlds more meaningful than real life. Now, with advancements made within blockchain, we can forge a new universe deeply imbued with our expertise in player agency and autonomy, empowering players to engage in new ways. This financing has marked an exciting frontier in our studio history as we begin our third decade of virtual world operations. We are humbled by the confidence from our partners in the development of this new title,”
Hilmar V. Pétursson, CCP Games CEO
This new project will use smart-contract blockchain technology, focused on persistence, composability, and completely open third-party development to build a new interaction between virtual worlds and gamers. Key game features have already been constructed on-chain.
On the other hand, with participation from Makers Fund, BITKRAFT, Kingsway Capital, HASHED, Nexon, and other investors, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) led this financing round. The funding was announced in a tweet on CCP’s official Twitter account.
The construction of this new game is independent of any ongoing or previously publicized projects, including EVE Online, which is currently celebrating its historic 20th anniversary. It also has independent financing.
About CCP Games
“CCP Games is a pioneer in virtual worlds and digital economies with 25 years of experience creating living sandboxes with unparalleled depth. They’re a veteran team and we believe in their ambitious vision to deliver incredible player experiences at the intersection of best-in-class game design and blockchain technology,”
Jonathan Lai, a16z General Partner
Leading independent game developer CCP has won recognition for its artistic talent, technological innovation, and game design that encourages emergent behavior and gives players engaging tools for self-expression. CCP is on a quest to make virtual worlds more significant than the real world. The company was founded in 1997 on the tenet of pushing the envelope and pioneering new territory on all levels.
CCP made a name for itself as a pioneer of cutting-edge massively multiplayer games with the release of EVE Online in May 2003, collecting multiple accolades and winning praise from critics all over the world. CCP has additional studios in London and Shanghai in addition to its Reykjavik, Iceland, headquarters.
“The depth and nuances of EVE have become a frequent point of reference in blockchain gaming and we are therefore thrilled to support the team’s impressive vision of expanding the EVE Universe utilizing this technology. As a former employee, it’s a great personal joy to be reunited with CCP and to witness their continued passion for creating truly meaningful virtual worlds,”
Alli Óttarsson, Makers Fund Principal
About Andreesen Horowitz
Andreessen Horowitz supports brave businesspeople that act quickly, think enormously, and are dedicated to creating the next great technology brands. Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz founded the company, which gives business owners access to knowledge and perceptions in the fields of innovation, executive and technical talent, market intelligence, business development, marketing, and brand creation.
“We’ve long marveled at stories of interstellar war, spaceships forever lost, and the constant challenges of staying ahead of emergent, sovereign play patterns. Hilmar and the team’s experience is unmatched, and we’re excited to see how they use blockchain to let players dream further,”
Carlos Pereira, BITKRAFT Ventures Partner
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