The games firm behind Eve Online CCP has announced a partnership with a London-based cloud tech start-up. No, not Improbable.
The Icelandic developer and publisher has teamed up with Hadean and its Aether Engine technology to investigate what the two companies can produce in the future.
As a proof of what is possible, CCP and Hadean have released a tech demo called Eve: Aether Wars which sees 10,000 players fighting in a deathmatch. This is going to be shown off at GDC.
In a blog post, CCP boss Hilmar Pétursson is careful to point out that this isn't a game or event a prototype yet; this is just the Aether engine with some Eve assets.
“We are thrilled to have the support of CCP Games with EVE: Aether Wars,” said Craig Beddis, Hadean’s CEO. “This move allows us to focus on our strength – building technology that unlocks new creative possibilities for games developers. We have a world-class team of engineers at Hadean creating EVE: Aether Wars and CCP’s expertise ensures that we have the perfect partner to match the pioneering ambition and robust quality of our technology.”
Pétursson added: “Hadean’s technology has the potential to unlock huge creative and design-orientated freedom within virtual worlds such as EVE. We are very happy as always to join up with intrepid pioneers setting out to push the boundaries of what is possible. Continuing to do that I believe will bring about the conditions where EVE will outlive us all. We therefore embrace the chance to inject New Eden into the Aether Engine and create the stunning sci-fi spectacle EVE: Aether Wars. I for one am excited to see our internet spaceships from EVE Online and EVE: Valkyrie playing together, enabled by this cutting-edge technology.”
