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Crysis PC requirements: a new PC
Because your trusty 486, TURBO MODE and all, simply isn't good enough to cope with the lush forests and cybernetic shenanigans of Crysis. Publisher EA has today chosen to end the tech spec-ulation in order to paint a clear, anti-aliased picture of the system you'll need for optimal first-person shooting. Still, if you think your filthy hobo of a mobo deserves to dine in Crytek's five star restaurant, you'd best try out the demo on October 26th. Minimum System Requirements OS: Windows XP or Windows Vista Processor: 2.8 GHz or faster (XP) or 3.2 GHz or faster (Vista) Memory: 1.0 GB RAM (XP) or 1.5 GB RAM (Vista) Video Card: 256 MB Hard Drive: 12GB Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible Real Recommended System Requirements OS: Windows XP / Vista Processor: Intel Core 2 DUO @ 2.2GHz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Memory: 2.0 GB RAM GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS/640 or similar Supported Processors: Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz (3.2 GHz for Vista) or faster, Intel Core 2.0 GHz (2.2 GHz for Vista) or faster, AMD Athlon 2800+ (3200+ for Vista) or faster. Supported chipsets: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT or greater; ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (Radeon X800 Pro for Vista) or greater. Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Integrated chipsets are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required.%Gallery-4760%[Via EA press release]
Joystiq hands-on: Crysis (PC)
The good looks of Crytek's long-awaited PC shooter have undoubtedly razzle dazzled the gaming community, spurring hardcore PC fanatics to upgrade their rigs to the edge -- y'know, the bleeding kind. But does it play well?Yes. Even if the game didn't look as good as it does, gamers would be talking about it simply for the incredible gameplay it has to offer. The main character of Crysis dons a suit that endows him with a variety of abilities, such as shielding, super speed, super strength and invisibility. These powers give the player a distinct advantage over enemies, and open up a number of tactical options. Interestingly, although the main character has superpowers, he's not invulnerable like a comic book superhero. Blindly running into a battle will typically end in death. Smart, calculated battle plans utilizing all of your abilities are key to surviving Crysis.For example, we traversed a steep cliff, hiding behind rocks, crawling through the tall grass. There was a small encampment ahead, and we wanted to go by unnoticed. The plan worked, as we were able to get right by the entrance gate. We hid behind a barrel, turned on our invisibility and crawled behind an enemy. The suit doesn't hold much energy, meaning we'd have to be quick. We quickly modified our weapon, added a silencer, and performed a quick head shot on our unsuspecting foe. Our cloak gone, we quickly took cover, hoping not to be spotted. Had we, a ship in the far horizon would've been called for help, and we'd have to engage numerous more enemies. One other enemy remained, and we turned on super-speed, switched immediately to super-strength, grabbed the villain, punched him in the face, and threw him into the ocean. Satisfying? Yes.%Gallery-4760%
Crysis' console future reliant on PC version's success
Frankfurt-based developer Crytek has a history of flopping back and forth as to whether or not its eye-melting FPS Crysis could or could not ever make its way to the console market, first stating that the Xbox 360 and PS3 were unqualified to handle Crysis, before switching gears and saying "we could do it if we wanted to." Now, however, Crytek boss Cevat Yerli has set the record straight, stating that while "you cannot get Crysis as it is on PC on any console," the company could consider doing a console port depending on how well the game's PC release is received this November.Yerli comments that the company believes the spec-heavy first-person shooter will be "at least as strong as Far Cry" at retail, though he personally edges his hopes a bit higher, noting that this would give the studio reason to believe Crysis could be successful on consoles as well. Given that console gamers have at least a passing fancy with first-person shooters, we think the game would do just fine.Even so, the developer openly admits that like Far Cry before it, corners would have to be cut in terms of level design and UI in order to create "a derivative Crysis and optimize it for the Xbox 360 and PS3," echoing a similar report from January this year. However, he adds that the team would work to keep the game's sophistication intact. Honestly, we had no idea Crysis was so highbrow.
Crysis demo delayed until Oct 26 -- spurred by Halo effect?
If you were expecting to play a new futuristic online shooter tomorrow on your PC, we've got some bad news for you. Crytek has announced that the Crysis demo has been delayed from its initial September 25 release. Instead, the one-level trial will hit the internet on October 26.Additionally, Crytek has announced that the originally-teased "huge surprise" coming with the demo is the CryEngine 2 - Sandbox 2 game editor, now also due out next month.Though they are on separate platforms, we can't help but wonder if this delay was in some way influenced by the oncoming flood of Halo 3 copies invading gamers' cerebral cortex tomorrow. Master Chief is very likely going to overshadow everything, Bratz notwithstanding, in the near future. Crytek's official reasoning is that they needed some extra time and did not want to risk affecting the November 16 release date.
Crysis demos your system on Sept. 25
And depending on how efficient your computer is at mashing pixels, vertices, shaders, polygons and textures into beautiful three-dimensional vistas, "demos" is either short for "demonstrates"... or "demolishes." Either way, you'll find out on September 25th, when EA releases a PC demo of Crytek's first-person stunner, Crysis. Included in the preview will be the shooter's first level and "a huge surprise from Crytek," which we expect will take the form of evil canines leaping through windows at some point.We'll point you to the official Crysis site once the demo becomes available.
Crysis trailer needs more suit etching
Are the five or six people out there who will actually be able to play Crysis when it drops on PC Nov 16 excited? Good, good. Y'all can get snuggley on the couch and watch this brand spanking new trailer which shows a guy in a robo-suit fighting army guys -- it's like deja vu.But in all seriousness, we're impressed with Crysis, we just have a guilty conscious about making McElroy work the street corner for us to afford upgrading our computers to play it. We're more excited about FarCry 2, but that would also require more street corner exploits. Let's hope those console versions of Crysis start making their way into development. Sure, they won't be as pretty, but at least we'll finally be able to wash the guilt off.%Gallery-4760%
Crytek deep into PS3 development, creating "secret technologies"
Crytek, the team behind the upcoming Crysis, is heavily invested in console development. In fact, it appears that Crytek is especially invested in Sony's next-gen platform. "Our PS3 development is going deeper than many people assume right now," studio boss Cevat Yerli told GI.biz.The team is currently working on a console game, and it appears that the game is being built from the ground up for PS3. "It's a complete departure from Crysis and Far Cry, it's not a first-person shooter," he explained. The game, which is also bound for Xbox 360, won't feature any of the cross-platform issues that have been plaguing sloppier releases. "For that, we're optimising technology, but for another reason, the future in general, there is a dedicated PS3 team."Crytek is working on additional technologies, specifically for Sony's platform. "The PS3 room is separate because we have some secret technologies being developed there which are not related to CryEngine 2." Obviously, this comes as exciting news -- one just has to take one look at Crysis to see the incredible grasp Crytek has on bleeding edge technology. We can't wait to see what they're cooking up for the PS3.
Crysis Special Edition promises featurette, vignette and kitchenette sink
And we half expected it to include an exploding palm tree or some nanosuit cuff links. EA has announced the contents of Crysis Special Edition, a rather restrained affair compared to the delayed duffel bags and legendary helmets we've seen attached to other anticipated titles. For an extra $10 on top of your ordinary $50 Crysis, you'll get a steelbook box housing the game (nice of them to include it!) and a bonus disc featuring all manner of making-of featurettes, vignettes and fluffy materials. Go ahead and tick "art book" and "soundtrack" on your embossed, special edition checklist as well.Finally, a "unique" vehicle (in-game, mind you) await those who purchase the Special Edition or pre-order either version of Crysis before November 16th. Hey, what's another $10 on top of that DirectX 10 graphics card?
More freedom with EA, says Crysis developer
If you envision "freedom" as clear skies and sparkling oceans, you're probably not a game developer. If you were, you'd think of it as an enormous pile of money meant to fund your DirectX 10 rendering of said clear skies, sparkling oceans and a freak in a cybersuit prancing by. CEO of Crytek, currently hard at work on tropical first-person shooter Crysis, told GamesIndustry.Biz that having the game published by EA has presented several advantages compared to Ubisoft, which handled that other tropical first-person shooter, Far Cry. "Everything's just bigger. From a business point of view, we have more support from EA and superior distribution and marketing power behind us, more freedom," said Cevat Yerli. "We can dictate more, and at the same time we can ask for more support. [EA delivers] more, because we both want this to be the best game." Yerli admits that even though Far Cry development got a bit weepy ("There were too many emotions involved back then, it was very passionate..."), he's still grateful for Ubisoft's involvement in getting the developer noticed. "But despite the fact it was rough at the end, I would like to say big thanks to Ubisoft and Yves Guillemot for taking the risk with us. If they hadn't done it, we would never have survived."Who knows? Perhaps Yerli will run into his old pals again if EA keeps on nibbling at Ubisoft.
Crysis for PS3? New evidence surfaces - we're not yet convinced
Oldmike, a user on the PlayStation 3 official forum, has posted a couple of photographs which, he believes, indicates that a PS3 version of Crysis is on its way. There's a fun wee story that goes along with the photos, too. Whilst in a local Gamestop oldmike spotted a PS3 box with some Crysis promo art on it. When he asked about it the manager overheard and, after getting flustered, yelled at the shop assistant that they shouldn't be on the shop floor yet. Alledgedly.An intriguing story, with interesting photos attached. We're still not convinced, however. Shops do crazy stuff all the time (HMV, anyone?). We love the idea that Crysis might be coming in the future, but until official word comes from Crytek then we're going to remain skeptical.Click the "read" link below for the full forum thread. The pics are on the fourth page
Crysis launching November 16
Shh, do you hear that? It's the sound of your wallet, and it's crying over all the AAA titles due out this holiday season. Electronic Arts has added to the pain by announcing that Crysis is due out Friday, November 16 for PC only (for now, at least).The release of Crysis will mark the first commercial launch of a game using CryENGINE2. How will it stack up against Epic's Unreal Engine 3 when Unreal Tournament 3 is also launched this holiday? Polygons will be measured against polygons; you better have a ruler handy.%Gallery-4760%
Crytek CEO: Crysis could 'theoretically' be on 360 and PS3
In a world where games often find themselves running on platforms they weren't really meant for -- Doom on your iPod, Viva Piñata on your Xbox 360 -- it doesn't come as a terrible surprise when Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli declares, "Theoretically, anything could run anywhere." Speaking to the UK's PC Gamer Magazine (via CVG), Yerli asserted that his company's graphically splendorous PC shooter could eventually find its way to high-end consoles. "Crysis could be on the 360 or PS3," he said. "It requires optimisation, that's what we've always communicated."However, technical feasibility doesn't guarantee a thing and confirmation of console ports remains elusive as ever. "What you would not do is make Crysis on PS3, 360 and PC for a single shipping date, because we would lose the quality focus," Yerli noted. "So I say, 'First PC version, then we'll see what happens.'" If Epic's Mark Rein is to be believed, what happens is that Crytek considers downscaled console versions of Crysis in order to capitalize on a market outside of cutting-edge PCs.[Via X3F]
Crysis "could" be coming to the PlayStation 3 after all
Talking with the UK branch of PC Gamer, Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli said that Crysis could indeed come to the PlayStation 3, but that they aren't working on it at the moment. According to Cevat, the port would require optimization and extra work, and that's why they're not doing a console port at the moment. He goes on, "What you would not do is make Crysis on PS3, 360 and PC for a single shipping date, because we would lose the quality focus."So Crytek is looking for PS3 developers and they've finally admitted officially that Crysis could run on the PlayStation 3. Seems like a pretty good indication that we will (someday) be playing Crysis on the PS3, but don't plan on it anytime soon. Killzone 3 will probably be out first ...
Crysis is possible on 360 says Crytek
And so, the twisted web of Crysis on consoles is woven ever tighter. Some of you might recall a Crytek senior game designer claiming that the PS3 and Xbox can't handle Crysis. Afterward, a lead artist claimed it was definitely possible to port the game to consoles, though he didn't know of any plans to do so. After that, we reported about a specially designed version of Crysis for Xbox 360 that wouldn't really be a port at all. It should come as no shock that EA later denied that such a project existed, claiming that it was a "miscommunication."So, now that we're up to date, here's the latest: according to CVG, Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli has now gone on record saying that "Crysis could be on the 360 or PS3." Yerli goes on to say that bringing Crysis to consoles would require optimization and, furthermore, this has always been the stance of Crytek. O RLY? Yerli concludes that there are no current plans to bring the game to consoles and that Crytek's priority is finishing the PC game. Still, hope springs eternal, right?
Epic's Mark Rein: Consoles will define look of PC games
Speaking to CVG, Epic Games vice president Mark Rein has expressed his belief that graphical advancement in PC games will be partially reined in (OOF!) due to the limitations and financial viability of consoles. "Publishers are generally putting their money where the highest return is, and in the past that's been on consoles and I think that's still the case," said Rein. "So if you build the game that's a really super amazing high-end game, how do you make all the money you could make from that game, because it'll be too high end eventually to be on PS3 or Xbox 360."As a result, Rein expects consoles to "pretty much define what the next five years of games look like on the PC" and titles pushing the DirectX 10 envelope to be in the minority. PC versions should, however, benefit from several enhancements a la Gears of War. "That's the value to me of the PC, that the source content we have is still really high resolution, much higher than we can show on a 512MB machine. You can use that content on the PC, you can express it in higher resolutions and higher frame rates and turn on more effects. I think that's what you'll see, PC games where we turn it up higher." Though it sounds like console technology is cramping the PC's style, the Xbox 360 and PS3 (and those who develop for them) are still immersed in the design transition from single processors to parallel architectures. There's a lot more wind to be coaxed from those sails yet.
Joystiq impressions: Crysis
Rob Letts, executive producer of Crysis, wandered over to a chicken that was milling about outside a military compound and scooped the plump bird up into his arms. He turned around, headed about 20 yards to the edge of the water, pointed his sights (and the chicken) up and out over the ocean, activated his nanosuit's strength ability and tossed the bird some 40 feet into the air. He drew his assault rifle and opened fire, landing a few scattered shots into the carcass before it disappeared into the water.Letts followed his execution with a dip, swimming out past a loading dock, admiring a few crabs that scuttled about the ocean floor and a school of snaking fish off in the distance. Letts assured us that there were -- or would be -- sharks in deeper waters; the type that would be drawn to a slowly bleeding North Korean soldier launched from your arms into the depths.Crysis is a joy for its subtleties, and for its complexities. We watched as Letts haphazardly caused enough commotion for an enemy combatant to fire a flare out over the tree tops. A minute later, reinforcements arrived by boat and by jeep. Some time later, over the ridge, troops who had spotted the flare earlier where still on alert. Letts spoke of a basic set of variables (the whos, whats, and wheres), which when applied to a dynamic environment, provide the player with ever-unpredictable "action bubbles." While there is a narrative structure to Crysis and a series of well-documented twists (two major environmental upheavals that change the nature of gameplay), Letts seemed most proud of the "sandbox" nature of Crytek's tactical shooter. 'Sandbox' might be a waning buzzword that's propelled too many lazily-developed borefests, but Crysis is clearly a title that will defend the legitimacy of such a fundamental design choice. If you've got the right rig for the job, peep Crysis when it drops (by the end of the year).%Gallery-4760%
Crytek and Epic Games rev their engines
Epic Games has found a wide audience, from Silicon Knights to Square Enix, with its Unreal Engine 3; meanwhile Crytek is looking to find success by licensing out CryEngine 2. Both companies also release games highlighting the engines (Unreal Tournament and Crysis, respectively).Next Generation has an article where both Epic Games' Mark Rein and Crytek's Harald Seeley talk about the competitive field of game engines. According to the opening remarks, the article sees Crytek as one of the more promising competitors to the Gears of War developer. It's an interesting read, but we shouldn't forget one engine that just recently made its first unveiling: id Tech 5. Creator John Carmack promised more information at Min-E3, and we think there's a good chance the House of Doom will add some major heat to all game engines.
Crysis vs. Haze -- unnecessary comparison, or closer than you think?
The folks over at Crytek have time and again claimed their upcoming PC title Crysis is the most graphically advanced game ever. Is it? Over at PSU, the writers took the liberty to make some comparison screenshots between Crysis and the upcoming PS3 title Haze. Some would think it folly to compare any game with one touted as the most graphically advanced.We disagree. The comparison shots show that, in some situations, Haze looks identical if not slightly better than Crysis. Other screenshots lean heavily toward Crysis as being the graphical victor. Especially when it comes to forest foliage. The point is this: the two games aren't that far apart in beauty. This is surprising. We'll leave the ultimate decision up to you, so check out the shots and let us know what you think.[Thanks, Justin!]
Today's most comparative game videos: Crysis DirectX
If you can geek out to API advancements, we salute you. Today's video picks compare DirectX 9 and the messiah DirectX 10 with Crysis footage. Yes, we can actually see a difference in the clips, and GameTrailers provides big, non-embedable HD files on its site.Will Crysis be the best-looking game ever, and will it require a DX10 system -- and, of course, Vista -- to earn that title? We've seen "best-looking game ever" mugs at a mall kiosk and will set one aside for the game's release later this year. (Don't let us down, Crysis. We could end up taunting you by giving it to the Wii.)See the videos after the break.
Crytek: You'll poop your pants!, Us: Thanks?
In what's sure to become the "flaming ninjas" quote of the modern era, Crytek chief Cevat Yerli has dropped the following bon mot about the aliens in his forthcoming game Crysis: "The first time you see them you'll shit your pants!" In other news: Crytek is having a hard time keeping testers. Yerli continues in his chat with CVG, describing the shooter as like "the last good horror game you played," but different during every session. (How long until you make bad-bad in your shorts this time? Five minutes? Ten? You've gotta play to find out!) Needless to say, he never really reaches the heights (or is it the lows?) of his prior proclamation of bowel-movement-inducing scares. Of course, there's no release date yet for the game, so there's always the chance that the ravages of old age could finish the grim work of making us game in our own self-mess before Crysis can get to us. Let's hope not.
