It is not derogatory to say that not many names from Iceland make it big worldwide. After all, it is quality that matters and not quantity. In music, probably, the most popular Iceland-based band is Sigur Ros who wrote and performed the song Njosnavelin for the movie, Vanilla Sky. Not to be left behind, the Iceland gaming industry boasts of EVE Online, developed by Icelandic developer, CCP Games.

The latter is making news today as they announced a definitive agreement to merge with U.S.-based White Wolf Publishing. This certainly is big in terms of impact and size. As we all know, EVE Online resides in a really massive virtual universe while White Wolf is the world's second-largest developer of offline role-playing, strategy and collectible card games. The most successful and familiar of its works include Worlds of Darkness and Exalted.

"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," stated CCP CEO Hilmar Petursson. White Wolf President Mike Tinney then responded, by saying -"Together, we will create the industry's most innovative games leveraging both online and offline systems."

The effects of the merger are basic and obvious that they are almost impossible not to see. By 2007, EVE Online will finally expand to the offline universe with the release of strategy guides, enhanced collectible card games, role-playing games as well as novels. Discussions are currently going on as to how White Wolf's creations can be brought online.