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We’re not even sure what a “next-gen” is anymore (The next batch of consoles? Current PCs? What’s the Wii?), but whatever it is, it’s almost here, according to gaming’s own bells-and-whistles-slinging Xzibit-equivalent, Crytek.
This month’s GDC Expo, which runs from March 25-27, will see the unveiling of Crytek’s most ambitious project yet: CryEngine 3. The “all-in-one game development solution” promises to allow for development on most any machine – DX9, DX10, Xbox 360, PS3, etc. -- provided that said machine isn’t afraid of staring straight into the face of oblivion and watching it blink and contort its retched features at an infuriating 13 frames per second.
However, the engine certainly seems to be designed with “upcoming” systems in mind.
“Our complete game engine solution enables realtime development, ensures teams are able to maximise their own creativity, saves budget and creates greater gaming experiences. Also with our solution developers can start working on their next generation games today,” said Cevat Yerli, CEO & President of Crytek.
“CryEngine 3 is a revolutionary change from our previous PC-only engines – and we’re applying a similar revolution to the service we provide to developers using the software to create extraordinary games.”
The question, then, is whether or not Crytek’s newfound desire to join the cool kids club will lead its wandering gaze to spend less time hovering on the PC gamers who first gave it some love. However, knowing Crytek’s penchant for mind-blowing graphics – in addition to current-gen consoles’ somewhat surprising ability to remain graphically relevant at this stage in the game -- we doubt our concerns will matter too much in the long run.
Comments are closed on this article
wh3resmycar
March 12, 2009 at 10:36pm
i aint surpirsed with the comments here.
i think some people think that hdr, dynamic ligthing, destructible environment, being able to interact with the the pieces that fell off that destructible environment, a thousand fauna moving in one scene in a real time scenario is such an easy task. surely those can be done by anybody right?
Havok
March 12, 2009 at 2:33pm
I know what a Wii is! A "console" for non-existent, albeit, fun "gaming"!
OMGWTFBBQ
horzo
March 12, 2009 at 9:27am
If Crytek is depending on the next generation of consoles to move this product, they're going to have a long wait.
Shckr57
March 12, 2009 at 6:46am
Ok, I originally got 2 9800GX2's with an I7 later, just to max out crysis and crysis warhead. Even with all that power, I am going to have to upgrade my computer again to max the new one out. ohh well, better start saving again.
rayatwork05
March 12, 2009 at 5:42am
i would really hate to be owner or primary investor in crytek. they really lack content to match their "superior graphics"... or at least compatibility....i have gotten to play game on high settings, and its really not that great....kind of like farycry 2, they simply fell short on a few things that make games worthy.
samduhman
March 12, 2009 at 8:42am
I actually enjoyed Crysis recently on my ATI 4850 but agree its not mind blowing. Unfortunately not many games are anymore. We need developers who create worlds again and not just same o' regenerated gameplay with better graphics. Also to much cross platform development is happening because devs are afraid to take chances with new ideas due to cost. So they create mediocre games and release them to multi platform hoping they return a profit. Engines like Cryteks are supposed reduce the cost of developing and give the dev a chance to be creative. Well see.....
I am big time disappointed to see Crytek going multi platform. It's no longer about creating a game anymore and making a living. It's about greed. Cover as many platforms as they can so they can become mega rich ASAP. The sad truth is console gamers will buy anything which doesn't push the cause for better gameplay experience. I have all three consoles and buy their "top" rated games. I quickly abandon them and go back to the exclusive gems I have for PC.
Velcrow
March 12, 2009 at 11:47am
I think you're being too rough on a company that needs to make money to survive. And if they have a great product to provide, why SHOULDN'T they make good money from it? When Crysis came out, a lot of people considered it partly a 'tech demo' to show off their engine. The engine appears to be where they're concerned with making money, so give them credit for actually making a game that was fun. No, it wasn't mind blowing in terms of gameplay, but it was hella fun for me, and that's what a game is supposed to be.
And with Warhead they got better at everything: gameplay, graphics, story. It was all around a better game than Crysis, so apparently they do take their IP and game development somewhat seriously.
The key with this dev kit will be easy of migration. If a developer can spend all their time on game design, and the kit automates platform migration, then we probably have nothing to worry about. They can do spend all their time creating a great game, instead of sharing that time migrating between multiple platforms and lowering the quality of the game.
