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Yerli: Interest in TimeSplitters 4 is 'not high enough'
Founder and CEO of Crytek Cevat Yerli knows that a lot of people want to play a new TimeSplitters game – but "a lot" just isn't enough to get one made. At least, not yet."I tested through my official blog to see how big the TimeSplitters community is, and while the volume of responses was quite high, we feel it's not high enough yet," Yerli tells VG24/7. "That being said, it did indeed trigger a deeper evaluation of what we do with TimeSplitters, and I can only say this for now: We might have some surprises coming soon."In April, Crytek officially rebuked rumors it was developing a new TimeSplitters. For now, Yerli and Crytek are focused on creating gaming's future in the form of social experiences, with Warface's Gface streaming system leading the charge. Perhaps the surprise for new TimeSplitters content will be the franchise-specific social network "Timeface," or maybe even "Splitleg."
Crysis 3 'not currently' in development for Wii U
It looks like Crysis 3 may not be coming to the Wii U after all, according to Crytek general manager Nick Button-Brown. "Just to answer the speculation, we are not currently working on a Wii U version of Crysis 3," reads a recent post on Button-Brown's Twitter account.The news comes only a week after Crysis 3 producer Mike Read stated that Crytek was "working with Nintendo" and that a Wii U version was a "possibility." Alas, it sounds like your dreams of poking bad guys with your power-suited fingers via touch screen will have to wait.
Warface takes a shot at the west, from Crytek and Trion Worlds
Warface, Crytek's free-to-play social FPS currently live in Russia, has a deal to launch in western markets, published by Trion Worlds. Warface will hit North America, Europe, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand through Gface, Crytek's social gaming network, and the Trion Platform.Warface has two million registered users in Russia. This marks Crytek's grand entrance into the freemium era, after CEO Cevat Yerli announced in June that all future projects from Crytek will be F2P. The budget for Warface and each of Crytek's other F2P titles is "between $10 million to $30 million... but at the price-point of $0 entry," Yerli said.
Crysis 3 producer dances around Wii U possibility
Crysis 3 for Nintendo's upcoming Wii U console is a "possibility," producer Mike Read said recently, noting the company is working with Nintendo, but stopping short of any official declaration."I wouldn't say there's no chance," he said in an interview with CVG. "I mean the Wii U still doesn't have any kind of release [date] attached to it at this point. Who knows what the future will bring with it. I can definitely say that we are working with Nintendo, and that's about all I can say on that front."Crysis 3 is due in February 2013, a few months after the Wii U's expected holiday launch window.
Crytek CEO: CryEngine 3 Wii U game coming from a 'respected developer'
Though Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli thinks highly of the Wii U, he doesn't seem to believe the German developer has "a business case" that "justifies" developing a game for the system. Yerli adds, however, that Crytek's impressive engine (powering Crysis 3 next) has already been licensed for a Wii U project. "It doesn't mean that CryEngine 3 doesn't run on Wii U – it actually runs beautifully," Yerli told CVG. "In fact, there actually is a game in development from a respected developer that we will be announcing. I've seen the game running and it looks really great."As for the prowess of the tech powering Nintendo's next console, Yerli thinks it's "minimum as powerful as Xbox 360."
Crytek CEO: TimeSplitters could return as free-to-play title
Crytek won't be making a traditional retail TimeSplitters title, according to Cevat Yerli, the company's CEO (not a huge surprise, really). In an interview with VideoGamer, Yerli said he wished the company could develop it, saying, "I love the idea, I love the brand, I love everything – but the publishers don't." He added that he doesn't "want to spend [Crytek's] money on the project in a retail business."It sounds dour to be sure, but Yerli quickly turned the tables, saying that TimeSplitters could be resurrected as a free-to-play title. Crytek recently made some waves announcing that it would be moving entirely toward a free-to-play business model after the launch of Crysis 3. The transition will be supported entirely by GFACE, Crytek's own game-streaming service.Regarding the possibility of a new TimeSplitters on GFACE, Yerli was pretty clear: "I love the picture of a Timesplitters running on GFACE."When a TimeSplitters sequel was referred to as gaming's Bigfoot – its Yeti, if you will – Yerli noted that "if we get enough fans, being loud enough," then "the Yeti can come back, on GFACE."
Post-Crysis 3, Crytek goes free-to-play
Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli revealed that all future projects from the company will be free-to-play, according to an interview with VideoGamer.com. Yerli noted that "the future is online and free-to-play," and that the company is in a transitional phase, focusing future games and platforms around those models after completing current contracts for games in development.Crytek's first game to venture into the free-to-play market is Warface, first introduced to Asian regions in late 2010 and coming to North America in 2012. Yerli cited Warface as an example of future titles from the company, which "implies budgets of between $10 million to $30 million... but at the price-point of $0 entry."Yerli explained that the free-to-play business model is the most user-friendly, as opposed to premium content structures. "If you look at what kind of games are done in the packaged goods market, with DLCs and premium services and whatnot, it's literally milking the customers to death," he said.Crytek's free-to-play games will be supported by its game streaming network Gface, which went into beta in February.
Crytek's CryEngine 3 makes it easier than ever for devs to build games as pretty as Crysis
It's not every day you get to speak with the folks who make one of the most advanced game engines in the world, but today at E3, Crytek (you know, the folks responsible for Crysis) let us in on some of the secrets behind its latest game platform, CryEngine 3. We sat down with Kirthy Iyer, an animation technologist at Crytek, and had him walk us through some of CE3's tools that are enabling publishers to build games for any platform -- including PC, PS3 or Xbox 360 -- faster and better than ever. Among the highlights are a "multi-layer navigation mesh" that automates the movements of AI-controlled game characters, and super realistic water rendering technologies. We could go on singing CryEngine's praises, but instead we'll let you get all the details from Mr. Iyer in the video after the break. Enjoy.
Crytek's Ryse still in the works, Kinect will be 'part of it'
Ryse, an Xbox-exclusive action game from Crytek, isn't ready to be shown beyond the concept trailer released during E3 2011. I asked Phil Spencer, corporate VP of Microsoft Studios, about the game's progress since Microsoft revealed its partnership with Crytek two years ago under the banner of "Codename Kingdoms.""We're just not at a point right now to show the game, and instead of ... we're still working with Crytek, we're still extremely committed to the relationship, but we want to make sure that we're putting our best foot forward every time we show the game," Spencer said. "You'll see more about that game, no doubt."Ownership of Ryse was rumored to have shifted between studios, from a downsized and redirected Crytek Budapest to Crytek's Frankfurt studio. Ryse is alive and well, Spencer assured, though I got an inkling that the brutal, first-person combat shown in the initial trailer may not be entirely relegated to Kinect when we see it next. When asked if Ryse was still "a Kinect game" as before, Spencer replied, "Kinect will be part of the game, absolutely."This year Microsoft highlighted several more games that are "better with Kinect," even when you're slouched in the couch. The most prominent example comes from Capcom's mech action game, Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor, which pairs several seated gestures with a traditional controller.
Crysis 2 back on Steam with a clever new name, extra goodies
Crysis 2 is back on Steam after being yanked in June because "an agreement with another download service" violated Steam's terms of service. The new, improved Crysis 2 is subtitled the "Maximum Edition" and it includes all the content in the limited edition, plus the Retaliation and Decimation DLC packs, all for $40.Those who snagged Crysis 2 on Steam before it was pulled can get Maximum Edition for half off through June 12 at 10 a.m. PST. EA's other pulled or unreleased titles on Steam – namely Mass Effect 3 and Battlefield 3 – are still absent.The new version, by including all the DLC, sidesteps the restrictions that kept the game off in the first place.[Thanks, Steven!]
Crysis 3 screens both new and 'new'
You see that dude above, straight chillin'? Yeah, you've seen him before – like, a few weeks ago, when the image leaked alongside several other Crysis 3 screens. Well here he is again, but this time he's got a whole bunch more totally official screens, straight from EA. Thrilling!
Crytek: TimeSplitters 4 is not in development
Despite rumors to the contrary, Crytek has shot down the notion that the studio is currently developing TimeSplitters 4. The company joked to CVG it had attempted to employ the infinite monkey theorem to develop the game, but ran over budget after purchasing only seven monkeys. Thus far, said Crytek, the chimps "haven't written any code but just tease the press from time to time." In a more serious response, a Crytek spokesperson said quite plainly, "No, it's not in development."Rumors of a Crytek-developed TimeSplitters 4 have been swirling for years now, with the most recent story popping up last summer, when PlayStation magazine reported that a new TimeSplitters announcement was imminent.
Crysis 3 intended to have DirectX 11 support on PC from day one
Crytek continues its multiplatform approach to development with Crysis 3, aiming to satisfy everyone from console owners to the PC gamers that are so hardcore, they cosplay as "parallax occlusion mapping." The developer hopes to have Direct X 11 support for PC at launch this time -- one of several advantages, it says, of having spent 14 months creating content and enhancing CryEngine 3, as opposed to building it and an accompanying game for three major systems."Yeah, I'm pretty sure we're going to have that," said Rasmus Hojengaard, Director of Creative Development. "I don't know if we've announced that yet, but obviously we're going to have DirectX 11 support since we already did it [for Crysis 2]. We basically started from a Crysis 2 DX11 patch, as starting point, and then we developed our technology from there on. We'd be pretty stupid not to capitalize on the technology we did for that and utilizing that from the get-go."Crysis 3 was running on PC during a recent unveiling in San Francisco, where Crytek showed off its vision of New York City as a devastated, metropolitan mire being swallowed by nature. While the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions aren't ready to be shown yet, Hojengaard says they will benefit from the studio's philosophy in art design, with the game being "actually less reliant on shader technology than, you know, just really good moods, good light setups, and good asset creation."That approach, in turn, also supports the PC version, which still lives beneath the franchise's reputation for crippling even the most exorbitant hardware. "We also want to make sure, even if you're on the PC, even if you don't have the super powerhouse, nuclear power plant at home, you can still run the game and get a beautiful experience from it."
Head down to the swamps of New York City with Crysis 3's first gameplay trailer
Crysis 3's naturalization of New York City's concrete jungle takes full shape in the first gameplay trailer, released this morning by EA. That compound bow makes plenty of appearances, but don't think Crytek has forgotten about all those other toys Crysis fans have come to expect.
Daily iPad App: Fibble is Crytek's entry onto iOS
If you had told me, just a couple of years ago, that Epic and Crytek would both have iOS apps in the store, I'm not sure I would have believed you. The Unreal Engine is one of the most popular graphical engines for major high resolution games, but Crytek is also very popular for its graphical work on Crysis and a few other titles. Epic has had a couple of hits in the App Store already with the Infinity Blade series, and here comes Crytek, working not on a big-time shooter for iOS, but a much cuter physics platformer-style game called Fibble. Fibble looks great, especially on the newer iOS devices. Crytek has brought its full engine expertise to bear, and so textures look terrific, everything's bright and clear, and the game runs very well. The gameplay is sort of a weird mix of platforming and golf. You move Fibble around by flicking him like a slingshot, and then you can use a series of other controls (like jumping or speeding up) to navigate a course, trying to get to a certain point in as few "flicks" as possible. It's simple, but there's a fair amount of things to do in 30 different levels. Unfortunately, Crytek's entry into iOS isn't quite as groundbreaking as Infinity Blade. The company aimed a little too close to Angry Birds rather than trying to blaze their own trail as an AAA iOS developer like Epic did. It would have been nice to see Crytek really break out and try something a little more innovative (or with a little more content -- 30 levels isn't small, but compared to some other games like this, it's not huge either). As it is, it's a fair first entry onto iOS, and has some excellent graphical sparkle, but you would be fine with waiting to see if it drops off of the current US$4.99 price for the HD version.
Crysis 3's main man is a crack shot with a bow, apparently
Guys! Guys! Can you imagine if that Crysis 3 nanosuit dude is actually just Ted Nugent on a wild bow hunting spree after civilization collapses? That's the Crysis 3 we want to play. Don't you? Take a peek at the gallery below and get all up in this crazy headspace we've got going this morning.
Crysis 3 arrives in spring 2013
Electronic Arts announced this morning that Crysis 3, which leaked into existence last week on the publisher's Origin service, will arrive in the spring of 2013. The "sandbox shooter" will be set in 2047, inside a rainforest created by New York City being under a dome. This "Liberty Dome" will have "seven distinct and treacherous environments." The narrative will feature your standard revenge scenario with corporate conspiracy and back-stabbing going on.In case you can't resist a company earning interest on your money for a year, Crysis 3 is available now for pre-order. The Crysis 3 Hunter Edition includes the Hunter Nanosuit module and a bonus XP boost up to level 5 in the game's multiplayer -- that we know nothing about. It's available on Origin.com and participating retailers (which have other varied bonuses) for $59.99. Think of it as corporate Kickstarter.
CryEngine SDK 3.4 update shows off its pretty planes
Crytek's latest build of the CryEngine 3 makes things look pretty. We apologize for not offering any more in-depth insight, but it's just really pretty. The above demo video speaks for itself, but if you want the full details, check them out here.
Crysis 3 reveal set for April 16
After leaking the existence of Crysis 3 on its own Origin service, Electronic Arts has publicly acknowledged the title. While the company isn't divulging any details, it told Joystiq, "The best kept secret in shooters just can't be contained." EA adds that we should "stay tuned for more information on April 16."The game will reportedly take place in New York once again, according to Russian site MadFanboy (via CVG). The city has become "almost a jungle," apparently. Furthermore, Crysis 3 is reportedly set for a Spring 2013 launch. Presumably, Nano Suits will also be involved. Whatever Crytek has in store, we'll find out next week.
Crysis 3 accidentally revealed by EA's Origin service
EA probably wasn't too keen on you learning about a new Crysis just yet – the news comes from its Origin service where box art and cursory details popped up overnight for "Crysis 3" (as seen above). The box art and listings have since been removed, but as we all know Google sees all.Moreover, as Neogaf points out, GameReactor magazine is teasing a reveal for Crysis 3 in the coming week. Unfortunately for both EA and the European magazine, some of that thunder got stolen by a faulty switch over at Origin.Box art for Xbox 360 and PC versions popped up, but we imagine it'll also arrive on PlayStation 3. We've reached out to EA for clarification, but we don't expect to hear more until next week's planned reveal. (And yes, that dude on the Crysis 3 cover is rocking what looks like a compound bow.)
