14 DAY TRIAL // The development team at CCP Games announces that it is officially canceling its World of Darkness vampire-themed MMO and that a number of developers from its Atlanta studio are being laid off as a direct result of the decision.
GamesIndustry.biz quotes an official statement from the Chief Executive Officer Veigar Petursson, who says that, "The decision to end the World of Darkness MMO project is one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make. I have always loved and valued the idea of a sandbox experience set in that universe, and over the years I’ve watched the team passionately strive to make that possible."
The leader of CCP thanks all those who were involved with the project and admits that the company was not ready to adapt the complex mechanics that it envisioned to fit into an actual game package.
The CEO adds, "We dreamed of a game that would transport you completely into the sweeping fantasy of World of Darkness, but had to admit that our efforts were falling regretfully short. One day I hope we will make it up to you."
All the resources that were originally allocated to the MMO are at the moment linked to the company's other big project, EVE Online.
In late 2013, CCP announced that it was eliminating 15 positions linked with World of Darkness, but then maintained that the MMO was still in full development and that the team would offer more details on it soon.
The game was announced in 2006 by the studio and was supposed to offer a contemporary vampire-based title that would allow players to choose between a number of clans, while exploring a world filled with secret societies, plots and rivals.
CCP said that it was aiming to capture the classic atmosphere of Vampire the Masquerade, while delivering a set of solid game mechanics and some complex social layers of interaction.
At one point, World of Darkness was supposed to be launched as early as 2010, but it has been repeatedly delayed since then.
CCP is also the creator of EVE Online, the space-based MMO that's famous for the complexity of its world and for the impressive battles and covert actions that various player groups launch.
At the moment, the company is also working on a spin-off called Valkyrie, which will focus on the combat element of the universe and is designed to serve as a showcase for the power of the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset.