Yes, folks: White Wolf is merging with CCP, the Iceland-based publishers of the "space MMO" the world knows as EVE Online (who made a small splash at Gen Con this year with a self-licensed CCG). That sound you hear underneath the wailing and tooth-gnashing of the Camarilla people may indeed be the nineties calling to ask for their synergy back. But maybe not; things like this haven't always spelled certain disaster in the recent past, and while CCP may look like a bit of an also-ran, the truth is that EVE Online has hung on for a good long time, affording them luxuries like a doomed CCG. So hey. I am not pessimistic yet, but let's just hope that as much wisdom is allowed to flow from WW to CCP as the other way around. Press release beneath the cut.

Below is press release copy from CCP

Gaming Industry Innovators CCP and White Wolf to Merge
Combined company to deliver next-generation gaming products online and offline

Reykjavik, Iceland and Atlanta, GA, USA - November 11, 2006 - CCP hf. and White Wolf Publishing, Inc. today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement to merge. The creators of the single largest persistent online role-playing world and the world's second-largest developer of offline role-playing, strategy and collectable card games will create the industry's largest independent Virtual World developer. CCP is the publisher and developer of EVE Online, the world's largest virtual gaming universe. White Wolf is the creator of some of the world's most recognized role-playing titles including: World of Darkness (Vampire, Werewolf, Mage) and Exalted. The combined company will introduce new online and offline gaming products across the science-fiction, horror, and fantasy genres.

The merged company will enable CCP to integrate White Wolf's leading expertise in offline gaming development to enhance and create physical products for its MMOG, EVE Online. Products to be introduced in 2007 will include strategy guides, enhanced collectable card games, role-playing systems, and novels all based on EVE Online. White Wolf will leverage CCP's industry-leading technologies to bring its offline role-playing titles online. Conceptualization and early development has begun to bring White Wolf's World of Darkness, one of the world's strongest gaming properties, into the online world.

"White Wolf possesses the RPG industry's leading offline gaming talent and some of the most recognizable roleplaying properties in the world," said Hilmar Petursson, CCP's Chief Executive Officer. " Virtual worlds are a new form of entertainment, separate from traditional computer games. By combining forces, we will create a company unsurpassed in quality, innovation, and scope which will keep us at the forefront of this emerging trend."

The combined company will continue to operate under their respective names. White Wolf will be operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCP. Hilmar Petursson, Chief Executive Officer of CCP, will be CEO of the combined company. Mike Tinney, President of White Wolf, will continue as President of the independent subsidiary. Further, White Wolf will continue development and enhancement of their entire portfolio of gaming products.

"CCP brings industry-leading technical expertise and online game development experience to us," said Mike Tinney, White Wolf's President. "Together, we will create the industry's most innovative games leveraging both online and offline systems."

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About CCP Games
CCP Games is an industry leading independent developer and publisher of EVE Online, a massively-multiplayer online role-playing game. Founded in 1997 and privately held, CCP is recognized internationally as a pioneer of the single-server persistent universe architecture. EVE Online is played in nearly every country in the world with over 300,000 players. The company is headquartered in Reykjavík, Iceland with offices in London, England and Shanghai, China. More information is available at www.ccpgames.com.

About White Wolf Publishing
Since its entry into the gaming market in 1991, White Wolf Publishing, Inc. has grown into one of the leading role-playing companies in the world. With collective book sales in excess of 5.5 million copies over the life of the company, White Wolf is one of two undisputed worldwide publishing leaders for pen and paper role-playing games. White Wolf properties have been licensed to television series, comic books, action figures, professional wrestlers, a myriad of merchandising, replica props and weapons, interactive media events, coin operated arcade games and, of course, video games. More information is available at www.white-wolf.com.