EVE Online developer cancels vampire MMO World of Darkness

EVE Online developer CCP Games has announced it has cancelled development of fantasy MMO World of Darkness.

The studio says it was "falling regretfully short" in its goals of creating an vampire-themed MMO. Following the cancellation, 56 employees at the Atlanta, Georgia studio have been laid off. Some of the team are said to have been offered other roles within the company, with the remaining staff at the studio now working on games set in the EVE universe.

Employees who have lost their jobs were given severance packages and assistance in securing new work, the company says.

"The decision to end the World of Darkness MMO project is one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make," said CCP CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson in a statement. "I have always loved and valued the idea of a sandbox experience set in that universe, and over the years I’ve watched the team passionately strive to make that possible."

"I would like to give special thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make the World of Darkness MMO a reality, especially the team members affected by this decision. Their considerable contribution to CCP will not be forgotten, and we wish them well."

"To our current and former employees and fans of World of Darkness, I am truly sorry that we could not deliver the experience that we aspired to make. We dreamed of a game that would transport you completely into the sweeping fantasy of World of Darkness, but had to admit that our efforts were falling regretfully short. One day I hope we will make it up to you."

"Although this was a tough decision that affects our friends and family, uniting the company behind the EVE Universe will put us in a stronger position moving forward, and we are more committed than ever to solidify EVE as the biggest gaming universe in the world."

Last year CCP Games said that 70 developers were working on the title, although 15 staff were made redundant just before Christmas last year.

World of Darkness was first announced way back in 2006 and was based on White Wolf's supernatural role-playing game franchise.