Google DeepMind has acquired a minority stake in Fernris Creations, the developer of the MMORPG EVE Online. The partnership coincides with Fernris Creations’ announcement of its independence from Pearl Abyss, after repurchasing itself in a deal valued at $120 million.
EVE Online, originally launched in 2003, features an expansive universe where players can explore over 7,000 star systems and engage in activities such as mining, piracy, trading, and combat. Alongside the buyout, Fernris Creations unveiled a research partnership with Google DeepMind, focusing on intelligence in complex, player-driven systems.
“As part of this next chapter, we are beginning a research partnership with Google DeepMind, focused on intelligence in complex, dynamic, player-driven systems. This is something I am genuinely excited about,” said Fernris Creations CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson in a blog post.
The collaboration aims to enhance the understanding of intelligence in dynamic systems, including aspects like long-horizon planning, memory, and continual learning. Google DeepMind plans to evaluate AI models using an offline version of EVE Online operating on a local server. Both companies will also investigate opportunities for AI-powered gameplay experiences.
Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of Google DeepMind, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. “I’ve known Hilmar for many years and long admired his work, and I’m thrilled to partner with him and the fantastic team at Fernris Creations to explore new gaming experiences and advance AI research safely inside a player-driven universe as amazingly complex as EVE Online,” he stated.
Hassabis noted that video games serve as an ideal platform for developing and testing AI algorithms. He referenced past accomplishments, including AlphaGo’s victory over world champion Lee Sedol in 2016 and AlphaStar’s achievement of “Grandmaster” status in StarCraft II in 2019. Other AI organizations, such as OpenAI, have also seen success in gaming; their AI defeated champions in Dota 2 in 2019.
This Dota 2 success gained renewed attention amid Elon Musk’s legal issues with OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman. The New York Times reported that Musk responded to a notification from OpenAI President Greg Brockman about the Dota 2 victory, stating, “Time to make the next step for OpenAI. This is the triggering event.”
