Crytek Layoffs and the Uncertain Future of Crysis 4
Recent news of Crytek undergoing significant layoffs has put the next installment of the Crysis franchise in jeopardy. This news was overshadowed by the team’s detailed breakdown of Sony’s State of Play showcase in the latest DF Direct, but it’s a crucial topic that deserves more attention.
Crysis has always been a prominent game series for us at Digital Foundry, known for pushing the boundaries of graphics technology that later sets standards for PC and console games. From screen-space ambient occlusion to ray-marched volumetric lighting, the first Crysis game was truly groundbreaking, laying the foundation for future generations of games.
Both Crysis 3 and its Remastered version have been a staple in our CPU and GPU reviews, with memorable moments like the “Highly Explosive Materials” train ride etched in our minds from countless benchmark runs. With the announcement of Crysis 4 in 2022, anticipation was high, especially in an industry where proprietary game engines face competition from engines like Unreal Engine.
- 0:00:00 Introduction
- 0:01:11 News 1: State of Play: Tides of Annihilation
- 0:09:37 MindsEye
- 0:16:38 Days Gone Remastered
- 0:22:28 Saros
- 0:29:12 Dreams of Another
- 0:36:59 Lost Soul Aside
- 0:41:39 Other games: Borderlands 4, Sonic Racing Crossworlds, Onimusha, Midnight Walk
- 0:59:34 State of Play – The Verdict
- 1:06:43 News 2: Crysis 4 put “on hold” as Crytek lays off employees
- 1:16:24 News 3: Assassin’s Creed Shadows PC specs revealed
- 1:36:32 News 4: Astro Bot gets PS5 Pro upgrade
- 1:42:59 Supporter Q1: After three months, what do you think of the PS5 Pro and PSSR?
- 1:52:53 Supporter Q2: Why don’t more developers use CryEngine?
- 1:59:40 Supporter Q3: Will Nvidia “gate” new AI features to their most recent hardware?
- 2:09:17 Supporter Q4: Does RTX Mega Geometry eliminate the need for proxy geometry for RT?
- 2:15:17 Supporter Q5: Could Oliver address some of the recent state of the art AI tech?
- 2:26:52 Supporter Q6: How much do you need to spend on a GPU to have a good experience?
However, with recent layoffs affecting around 60 employees at Crytek, including the departure of Crysis 4 director Mattias Engström to IO Interactive, the future of Crysis 4 looks uncertain. The remaining team’s focus has shifted to Hunt: Showdown 1896, as Crytek aims for financial stability amidst these challenges.
Despite Crytek’s past successes and its position as Germany’s largest game developer, the company has faced setbacks, with CryEngine’s performance issues hindering its adoption by console developers. With Crysis 4 development put on hold, the company’s future direction remains unclear.
Looking ahead, a smaller-scale Crysis spin-off might be a viable option, utilizing existing technologies and assets to garner interest without the pressure of a numbered sequel. Alternatively, Crytek could seek acquisition by a larger company to secure its future in the industry.
While the fate of Crysis 4 hangs in the balance, this news reflects the challenges facing the gaming industry today. As major game releases become increasingly complex and costly, the traditional triple-A model is evolving. Whether this shift leads to a more sustainable industry remains to be seen, but the potential loss of Crysis 4 is a tough pill to swallow.