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DeepMind Invests in EVE Online Maker to Use the Game as an AI Testbed

DeepMind will run offline experiments in EVE’s complex world to push AI that can plan over long stretches.

Overview

  • The partnership, announced Thursday, gives Google DeepMind a minority stake in Fenris Creations, maker of the long-running MMO EVE Online.
  • Both companies said testing will occur on isolated game instances, so no AI systems will run on live servers or touch the player economy.
  • The research targets long-term planning, memory, and continual learning in a world that models markets, alliances, and large-scale battles, with any player-facing uses still undecided.
  • Bloomberg reported the price as several million dollars, though the firms have not disclosed exact terms.
  • Fenris, formerly CCP Games, was sold to Pearl Abyss in 2018 and returned to independence in a $120 million buyout, then reported profitability in 2025.