Crytek addresses financial troubles, will focus on free-to-play games

Crytek is addressing long-running rumors of financial troubles, noting that they will step away from traditional game development in favor of focusing on free-to-play.

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Times have been tough for Crytek, with studio sources citing financial difficulties back in June. The makers of Crysis have now stepped forward to assert their studio's stability. However, they added that they will begin shifting their focus towards self-published free-to-play games, a move that was foreshadowed by last month's rumored cancellation of four prototypes, including a sequel to Ryse: Son of Rome.

"Our evolution from a development studio to an online publisher has required us to refocus our strategies," a Crytek rep told Polygon. "These challenges go along with an increased demand for capital, which we have secured."

Previous reports had stated that Crytek employees were not being paid and that a significant number had exited the company. Crytek has admitted a lack of communication and attributes it to being unable to discuss future plans in public.

Crytek is currently working on Homefront: The Revolution in conjunction with Deep Silver, as well as free-to-play shooter, Warface. The studio's American branch recently announced Hunt: Horrors of the Gilded Age at E3.

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  • reply
    July 28, 2014 10:50 AM

    Ozzie Mejia posted a new article, Crytek addresses financial troubles, will focus on free-to-play games.

    Crytek is addressing long-running rumors of financial troubles, noting that they will step away from traditional game development in favor of focusing on free-to-play.

    • reply
      July 28, 2014 11:57 AM

      Free to never play, amirite?

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        July 28, 2014 12:35 PM

        [deleted]

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          July 28, 2014 1:31 PM

          for a company plagued by piracy maybe it will give them some viability. release products and get money for them - yes indeed that's a better model than their current one

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            July 28, 2014 2:00 PM

            Crytek is having problems because they put all their money into Ryse and it didn't do that well. Piracy has nothing to do with it.

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              July 28, 2014 2:02 PM

              Saying it has nothing to do with it is as naive as saying it had everything to do with it. It's far more nuanced and both are part of a bigger picture

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              July 28, 2014 3:35 PM

              It's not Ryse that killed them. Not enough developers picked up Cryengine 4. Crysis 3 didn't sell to hot either.

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                July 28, 2014 3:58 PM

                Truth! Cry Engine is all flash for sexy screens, but very difficulty to develop with. How many Crytek games have even shipped on the console?

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                July 28, 2014 4:13 PM

                That's because Crysis 3 was a turd

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            July 28, 2014 3:46 PM

            Everyone in the industry is "plagued by piracy." Your comment implies that no one paid for their games, let's not forget that Far Cry + Crysis both sold 1m+ units, that was before they shifted their development to consoles.

            They also said in 2012 that they were going to transition entirely to F2P games, this isn't surprising news or anything.

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          July 28, 2014 9:54 PM

          Riot doesnt...seems to be working quite well for them.

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      July 28, 2014 12:46 PM

      that'll fix it (by making sure I never hear of them again)

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      July 28, 2014 12:46 PM

      I think its time for the ex-Vigil employees to leave and start a kickstarter. These guys don't get it and I smell bankruptcy. They banked on Crysis, now they in one.

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      July 28, 2014 12:58 PM

      WHORE!!!

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      July 28, 2014 1:16 PM

      Lol. Free to play.

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      July 28, 2014 1:30 PM

      So they really are going to make a Financial Crysis

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      July 28, 2014 1:41 PM

      That sucks.

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      July 28, 2014 2:13 PM

      Oh good! More f2play games!

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      July 28, 2014 2:45 PM

      RIP Crytek.

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      July 28, 2014 3:51 PM

      Everythings under control,situation normal.We had a slight bank account leak here, everythings perfectly all right now. We're fine now thank you How are you?

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      July 28, 2014 4:17 PM

      Crytek's a private company, so they don't want to discuss anything in public unless it's good news.

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      July 28, 2014 9:41 PM

      planetside 2 is doing well, so is swtor so makes sense

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      July 29, 2014 1:41 AM

      This is sad, I really enjoyed Far Cry 1 and the Crysis games. RIP in peace, Crytek.

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