At CCP we have been working hard to expand the gaming landscape by applying the knowledge and expertise we've built up with EVE Online to create a new experience within the EVE Universe in DUST 514, as well as a new video game franchise in World of Darkness.
During the last few months, as evidenced by our interaction with the community, we made some missteps on that journey.
As we reexamine our outward relations, we are also taking time to reevaluate our internal goals. In doing so, we have come to the conclusion that we are attempting too many things for a company our size. Developing EVE expansions, DUST 514 and World of Darkness has stretched our resources too thin.
Rather than allowing this to persist, we have made the decision to sharpen our focus. Sadly, this means reducing our staff. We estimate that around twenty percent of global positions will be affected by this process.
- For the immediate future, our mission is to enrich the vast EVE Universe by strengthening the continuous development of EVE Online.
- World of Darkness will continue development with a significantly reduced team.
- EVE Online is in good health. Our subscriber numbers are higher today than they were a year ago. Unlike many other MMO's on the market, we have continued to grow year-on-year since launch in 2003. However, over the past two months, our subscribers have gone down from their peak this summer. We attribute this to our own mistakes and poor communications with our players. We are correcting that now.
While our decision to refocus is a solemn one, it will benefit our players through a renewed commitment to the EVE Universe and its fans.