crysis 2
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Get your name or handle in Crysis 2 as graffiti
Look, we get it. You found a primo slab of stone that's just aching to have your name emblazoned all over it in big, funky letters. There's just one problem: it's illegal. So how about slapping your name or handle onto a virtual wall? That's what Crytek is offering 50 lucky winners in its latest game, Crysis 2. It's a Twitter-based contest, so you'll need to follow @Crysis and fire off the appropriate tweet below, given your region: UK: Hey @Crysis, I want you to put my name in the game! http://crys.is #Crysis2contestUK US/Canada: Hey @Crysis, I want you to put my name in the game! http://crys.is #Crysis2contestNA Germany: Hey @Crysis, Ich mochte meinen Namen im Spiel sehen! http://crys.is #Crysis2contestDE Act quickly, because the contest concludes on May 3. Oh how we can't wait to see all of the "Pothead McSmokesweeds" and "XxBlazingMad420zxXs" when we're running through a dilapidated New York city!
Crysis 2 writer Richard Morgan hopes to avoid 'the Big Mac aesthetic'
In an interview with VG247, science fiction author Richard Morgan had some interesting things to say about his writing role on Crysis 2, the upcoming shooter set in a crumbling New York City. It's an industry role with a "soft" template, he explained, and it's not one without some familiar challenges. We're still dealing with a sequel and a superguy shooting aliens, after all. "I hate the Big Mac aesthetic of pop culture," Morgan said, "which is, you know, sequelitis: 'We're going to give people exactly what we gave them last time, because they liked it, so let's do exactly the same.'" Avoiding that aesthetic and eating healthy, as it were, requires some fresh ingredients. "If we can beat that Big Mac mentality and keep delivering fresh stuff, and something fresh gives the consumer something really fresh to do, then I'm happy, because when I'm doing fresh stuff that's when I'm most awake. With the Crytek experience so far, I'm very awake." We like the Big Mac explanation, but it's still big talk before Crysis 2 launches this holiday. Admittedly, seeing a game's writer cast in the spotlight at this stage is still uncommon -- and possibly a display of publisher EA's confidence.
Ex-Free Radical (Crytek UK) working solely on Crysis 2 multiplayer
Despite earlier claims that Haze developer Free Radical (now Crytek UK) were working on an "original FPS" for its new overlord Crytek Studios, it appears that the UK-based studio is actually hard at work on Crysis 2's multiplayer component. In an interview with VG247, CEO Cevat Yerli revealed "several online functionalities" for the game, as well as the team behind said functionalities. "That is all they [Crytek UK] are doing, with a full team on it, and they are blasting forward at full speed with more focus and dedication than I've ever had before at Crytek." Jeez you two, get a room! Yerli unfortunately couldn't expand on the various types of multiplayer we'll find in Crysis 2 when it arrives later this year, though he did note that the team at Crytek UK will be "making the gameplay unique to both the console and PC versions." Presumably he means that in a sense greater than "The PC version has way, way prettier graphics."
Video interview: Crytek Executive Producer Nathan Camarillo, on Crysis 2
Crysis has long been the poster child of the PC gaming community. Still heralded as a technical benchmark for the platform, the first Crysis game exploited the power of PCs, going far beyond what consoles could initially offer. Crytek has managed to set another technical benchmark with Crysis 2, offering a similar experience on consoles. We spoke to Crytek's executive producer Nathan Camarillo on the process of transitioning to console development, and how that affected game development. Joystiq: Console gamers are likely to be unfamiliar with the story of the first Crysis. Will that put them at a disadvantage going into the second game? Nathan Camarillo: With Crysis 2, we're considering it in some ways a reboot of the franchise. But we're not starting over from scratch. There will be continuity between Crysis 1 and Crysis 2 for players who have played Crysis 1, but you don't need to have played it in order to understand what Crysis 2 is about. We're hoping that the story and gameplay is so compelling that people will be encouraged to try Crysis 1 after, but in no way is it a prerequisite. Why make the switch to consoles now? How do you address complaints from dedicated PC fans that are concerned about a "watered down" experience caused by multiplatform development? In actuality, our switch to focusing development to include consoles has strengthened the quality of game that we're making for Crysis 2, because it's allows us to look at, with a higher degree of scrutiny, what it is we're trying to do and how we go about accomplishing it. It's not "can we just do it on console?" Is it the best decision to make for the product? And can we do it on consoles and PC?
Impressions: Crysis 2
Download in HD from BigDownload The first Crysis is probably best known for its benchmark-setting graphics. Unfortunately, its PC exclusivity meant console gamers weren't able to discover the true beauty of the game: its nail-biting emergent gameplay, assisted by realistic AI, and a truly open world to explore. The Nanosuit endowed you with superhero tools that encouraged playing with the environment -- punching a tree to have it land on enemies, for example. But don't expect a large focus on the franchise's deep tactical combat today. Like its predecessor, it's easy to get caught up by the sheer spectacle that is Crysis 2. %Gallery-87383%
Crysis 2 screenshots look gorgeous (from a certain perspective)
You want to click this. Take a moment just to look at the first official Crysis 2 screenshots released by EA. Yep, stunning, aren't they? Unfortunately, they're not indicative of actual gameplay, considering the upcoming multiplatform title is a first-person shooter, not third. Still, we can't help but admire the incredible graphical fidelity of these screens. Most likely, these shots were taken from the PC version of the game, but we'll have a full report on the console versions of the game in April. Until then, feel free to spend some quality time in our gallery. %Gallery-87383%
CryEngine 3 visiting GDC in stereoscopic 3D
Stereoscopic 3D visuals can really bring a tear to the eye, especially if your hand-eye coordination is off and you end up jabbing a plastic temple arm into a squishy place. Don't do that. Instead, CryEngine developer Crytek wants you to marvel at the latest addition to its engine, which will power upcoming urban shooter Crysis 2. This year's Game Developers Conference (running in San Francisco from March 9 to March 13) will mark the debut of stereoscopic 3D support in CryEngine 3, the company announced. According to Carl Jones, Crytek's director of global business development, the technology will enable engine licensees to create 3D content on all supported platforms. It will enhance CryEngine 3's "LiveCreate" feature, which allows a single editor to create content that's playable on all three high-end platforms: PC; PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. "There are basically no longer any limits to a designer's creativity," Jones said. We can't wait to see what kind of sci-fi cyborg shooters all the developers have in store for us at GDC. In 3D!
Crysis 2 details abound in latest Edge
Make sure to buy a box of Wetnaps along with that copy of the new issue of Edge Magazine, because that thing's got Crysis 2 details leaking out if it all over the place. We already know the game will take place in New York, but according to the developer, it'll be "a New York City like none in games or cinema." Crytek is more interested in having the city environment act as a focus on the action rather than a big open sandbox, so while you'll see lots of the city above, you'll only be able to travel in "constrained freedom," or only about "three storeys up and down." The magazine also contains info about the new Nanosuit 2, which seems to augment not only your physical powers, but sensory perception in various modes as well, giving you the ability to hear conversations at a distance or see directional bullet trails or x-rays. The suit can also increase your powers of memory, apparently, as the devs promise the game should have "five big things you'll remember forever." Oh no, wait, wrong switch -- it was set on the increased hype setting there. Our bad. [Thanks, Peter!]
Crysis 2, Sims 3 on consoles, NBA Jam due Holiday 2010
Thanks to today's EA earnings report (EArnings?) we're starting to get an idea of how the company's holiday season is going to shape up. This is all subject to change, of course, but as of right now it would appear you can look forward to Crysis 2, NBA Jam and EA Sports MMA sometime between October and December of 2010. Filling out the holiday quarter are some yet-to-be-formally-announced titles like The Sims 3 on consoles, a new Need For Speed game (perhaps the Criterion-developed one?) and a new Harry Potter game (likely tied to this November's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I). Want to come up with your own wild speculation? Peruse the list here.
Crysis 2 takes the crisis to New York
The supersuit-enhanced cat has officially leaped out of the bag, folks -- Crysis 2 will be set in New York City. According to a "World Exclusive" Twitter image of the next PlayStation: The Official Magazine's cover (partially seen above), the upcoming sequel plans to give players a chance to blast off the faces of "aliens invading NYC," employing the already teased "Nanosuit 2.0." As the Crysis 2 cover is set for the March issue of PTOM, we expect to start hearing more details on the sequel over the next few weeks as subscribers start getting their copies (and subsequently begin filling the internet with said details).
EA: Medal of Honor, Dead Space 2, Crysis 2 before March 2011
During EA's half-hour investor callstravaganza yesterday, CEO John Riccitiello unleashed a flurry of game titles set to be released in the company's "FIscal 2011." For EA, that falls anywhere between April 1, 2010 and March 30, 2011 -- a window that now holds the release of "a great new version of Medal of Honor, a revitalized Need for Speed, Sims on console, FIFA in a World Cup year, an innovative and new take on Madden, Dead Space 2, Crysis at full margins, a new MMA game, and many others." Considering this laundry list of games is getting little more than a 12-month window for release, we're taking the logical next step and throwing darts at images of the games on our cork-board calendar. According to our impeccable aim... everything is coming out in November. Not helpful! [Via Eurogamer]
Crytek teases Crysis 2's new Nanosuit
Crytek has released a pair of teaser trailers for Crysis 2's Nanosuit 2, the new and improved version of the first game's human enhancer, via a viral site for Crynet Systems, the manufacturers of the fictitious suit. Taking the viral approach even further, there's also a 16-page PDF brochure advertising the suit you could never afford. Did you know that the tech actually introduces parasitic lifeforms into the wearer's brain to aid in real-time combat analysis? Has Crynet Systems learned nothing from Kirk's epic battle against Khan?There's also an alternate version of the above video that features a more, uh, blue look at the new threads. Head past the break to check that one out.[Via Big Download]
CryEngine 3 equal to CryEngine 2 'medium' settings, comparison video reveals
CryTek's newest, shiniest piece of tech is CryEngine 3, which will be put to use in the upcoming PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Crysis 2. While the first footage of the console versions looks remarkably similar to what you'd get from a PC, a closer examination reveals how top-end gaming PCs are still capable of rendering better graphics with CryEngine 2. According to tehdaza on YouTube, "CryEngine 3 running on console hardware is about the same as CryEngine 2 running on 'medium' settings." The look of the console versions can be recreated on the PC by using low textures, high shaders and object geometry and medium on all other settings.You can check out the video after the break. In it, you'll be able to compare the draw distance of the two engines and see the change in physics, texture work and more.[Via N4G]
E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup
E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted. We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.
Crysis 2 teaser is all flash, no substance
When Crysis 2 was announced, we looked forward to seeing the evolution of one of the most eye-catching FPS titles ever created at this week's E3. Well, folks, it looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer for that, because the trailer released for E3 is sorely lacking in the content department. Well, unless the kind of content you're looking for is big chunks of broken glass floating in a black space.
EA, Crytek announce Crysis 2 for Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Crytek isn't waiting around for the next wave of consoles to hit before melting eyeballs in the living room. In fact, publisher Electronic Arts announced that the German developer is already prepping a follow up to Crysis, this time for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as well as the PC. Creatively titled Crysis 2, the title is the first built using the studio's new console-ready middleware, CryENGINE 3. Nothing else is known, though with E3 kicking off this week we've opened up a new box of tissues just in case we hear more.
