CCP, the makers of the sci-fi MMO EVE Online have announced that they will be merging with White Wolf Publishing, one of the leading creators of traditional RPG franchises in the world. The companies will operate autonomously, but with White Wolf owning some impressively rich worlds such as World of Darkness, it looks as if CCP is positioning themselves to release some interesting new MMOs in the coming future.

Read the full press release after the jump..

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.”

Read more: CCP Games | White Wolf | EVE Online