CCP has handed over Eve Online's reigns to NetEase in China.
In a blog post on the game's website, the Icelandic developer said that the Serenity server - the single shard used by Chinese gamers - would be managed by tech and games giant NetEase in the region.
The two firms have collaborated before, having worked on mobile MMO Eve: Project Galaxy in the past. That title was announced in June.
Prior to this, CCP was working with local firm Tiancity. It's not clear why this relationship is no more.
"With a track record of releasing games of high quality in the Chinese market and abundant operating experience in this territory which remains super close to CCP’s heart, NetEase will no doubt prove to be a suitable publisher for EVE Online in China," wrote senior community manager CCP Falcon.
"Building on the already established relationship between NetEase and CCP as we work together on EVE: Project Galaxy, we will collaborate to bring EVE Online to more players in China than ever before.
"With new events, updated content and the incredible care and attention to detail that NetEase shows its titles, we are incredibly confident that this partnership is the start of a new era for internet spaceships in China.
"As we work to hand over the Serenity cluster from our current publisher to NetEase in the coming months, we would like to re-assure our pilots in China that our core priority is to preserve and protect the history and legacy of their gameplay, and the achievements they’ve worked so hard for in New Eden.
"Right now, we estimate that NetEase will assume the publishing of EVE Online in the Chinese market starting in October 2018, and we are working closely with our current publisher to migrate player data to their services.
"With all three parties collaborating closely, we aim to minimise the window when EVE Online will need to suspend service in China and have a transition that is as smooth as possible.
"We’re incredibly excited to be working with NetEase to publish EVE Online in China, so be sure to stay tuned for more specific launch information in the coming months."
We caught up with CCP CEO Hilmar Veigar last year as the firm celebrated its 20th birthday.
In addition to Eve Online, NetEase also publishes Minecraft in addition to Blizzard's roster of games - despite rival Chinese firm Tencent owning a substantial stake in the Overwatch and Hearthstone firm.
