The studio behind EVE Valkyrie, CCP is stepping down from virtual reality, something that until now has been a significant focus for the Iceland-based studio. Unfortunately, CCP is also in the process of shutting down two of their branches, one in Atalanta and another in Newcastle as part of a wave of layoffs (leaving them with their London and Shanghai studios).
According to the Iceland Monitor report, the layoffs will affect around 100 employees worldwide. Thankfully, CCP has stated that they are putting their efforts in providing relocation opportunities or severance packages to those affected by the layoffs.
CCP’s CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson commented on the big changes, saying that they were “tough, but important.”
Fans of EVE Online will be able to continue enjoying the title, as it has not been affected by the layoffs. Furthermore, CCP’s two previously announced titles, a PC shooter known as Project Nova and a free-to-play mobile title known as Project Aurora (which is being developed externally by PlayRaven) is also scheduled for release with no changes due to the layoffs or the shift away from VR.
Pétursson went on to talk about VR, he stated:
“Despite the success of the VR games we have released we will be shifting our focus to our PC and mobile initiatives, we will continue to support our VR games but will not be making material VR investments until we see market conditions that justify further investments beyond what we have already made.”
Pétursson mentioned to the Iceland Monitor that CCP plans on waiting at least another 2-3 years before they consider developing another VR title.
Hopefully, the climate for VR keeps on improving, allowing developers like CCP to continue to venture into the world of virtual reality, without the worry of weak sales and the various other risks associated with the still-budding technology.
Liked this article and want to read more like it? Check out Jesse Carbal’s coverage of EVE Valkyire’s latest expansion and Oculus’s latest breakthrough in VR hardware.
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