Employees at CCP Games in Decatur, Ga. Photo provided by CCP Games.

Decatur-based CCP Games has announced it is shutting down production on the “World of Darkness” MMO and laying off 56 people as a result.

“Some team members have been offered roles on other projects inside the company, and CCP has provided severance packages and job placement assistance for those affected,” a press release from CCP says. “The remaining team in Atlanta will focus on games in the EVE Universe, which will mark the first time since 2006 that the entirety of CCP will be working on a single universe.”

CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson said in a press release that, “The decision to end the World of Darkness MMO project is one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make. 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.”

Decaturish.com writer Carey O’Neil recently profiled the company. In his story, O’Neil wrote that video game company had acquired Stone Mountain-based White Wolf Publishing in 2006 specifically for their World of Darkness property — a universe filled with modern-day vampires, werewolves and mages. O’Neil wrote that the pressure was on to complete the project.

CEO had also recently announced it was developing “EVE: Valkyrie,” a game where players pilot their own dogfighter spaceships — think Star Wars’ X-Wings — by using a virtual reality headset, according to O’Neil’s story. To read that story, click here.

In his statement, Pétursson said the company is still committed to completing that project.

“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,” he said.