IIRC Crytek said those didn't actually make that much money.
I suspect they were actually just getting fronted a bunch of money by publishers and their investment banks.
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Crytek to close all studios except Frankfurt HQ and Warface studio in Kiev
- Thread starter chadskin
- Start date
IIRC Crytek said those didn't actually make that much money.
I suspect they were actually just getting fronted a bunch of money by publishers and their investment banks.
Giant Panda
Member
Can anyone knowledgeable explain why cryengine failed to catch on?
Crytek own the ip, but EA own the publishing rights on those.
To my understanding, the biggest issues were that the support wasn't great (not enough local offices), the engine updates for external partners were very delayed relative to when Crytek was getting them (I think teh Ryse updates were 9 months after that game launched), and the toolchain was not seen as being as good as modern Unity or Unreal, especially if you wanted to do something that was different from what Crytek was doing.
EnlightenedMint
Member
Wow, do we know many jobs were lost?
Hope the workers can land on their feet.
Hope the workers can land on their feet.
Kresnik258
Member
I panicked for a second and thought Free Radical had been shut then remember that the'd been sold to... Deep Silver was it?
Not that they've made a game I've loved for years, but they're still the studio behind Timesplitters and it would've been a shame to see them go.
Not that they've made a game I've loved for years, but they're still the studio behind Timesplitters and it would've been a shame to see them go.
Microsoft could probably just buy the whole studio and close it down for pretty cheap instead of waiting out the dumpster fire that is Crytek finances to finally fail. The name is kind of tarnished by all these studio closures though
This!
Makes you wonder what they've been doing over 6 studios day to day for the past couple of years.
Eolz
Member
On top of that, while the community was good and helpful, the official documentation is and has been pretty bad for a long time. A good documentation is the main reason that UE4 is used by so many studios now.
edit:
pretty sure that EA owns the Crysis IP now actually.
I hope they or Sony cop that Time-splitters IP.
Phoenix RISING
Banned
My wife works for a company that does this. The reason for it is that it is easier how to host a location sanctioned by the company remotely rather than fly in the talent with relocation packages that include purchase of house.
But yes, when you can't even pay your cire team their base salaries, you shouldn't be expanding with the hopes that the new Talent will bring in Revenue.
Hoping that they will be compensated fully.
I heard they started negotiation with local buyers months ago. A lot of Crytek employees have already found a new job.
Bolivar687
Banned
There's no reason for Crytek to be an independent company.
cleveridea
Member
Commiserations to those who lost their jobs, totally sucks especially if you had been without a pay check for x weeks (and not looking for a new job in case things turned around)
No idea how vibrant those locations that close are, as far as people getting new jobs.
Sad state of affairs for the company that made Crysis which to this day looks amazing
No idea how vibrant those locations that close are, as far as people getting new jobs.
Sad state of affairs for the company that made Crysis which to this day looks amazing
SEGAvangelist
Member
They look pretty lean now. I wonder if they're looking to get acquired.
StrikeFirst117
Banned
My condolences to anyone laid off in this manner and I highly hope they manage to land on their feet again.
BibiMaghoo
Member
Not the news people need before Christmas. I hope they land well, Crytek have been trying their hardest to put this off forever. They should just have cut this stuff down long ago instead of seeking more investment for more debt.
It always seemed to me like they were growing way too fast.
Triggerhappytel
Member
I don't see anywhere that they're selling Warface?!
I'd argue Crysis still is.
No; Crytek themselves own it. Can't link right now, but check the small print at the bottom of any store page where it's being sold.
They should have sold the Ryse IP to MS and had first refusal on a couple of sequels as part of that contract - that way they get a chunk of money from the sale, and ongoing revenue for the development of at least one game and maybe more.
What they should do is go begging to MS to buy the IP and fund Ryse 2 (no matter how flawed the first game was, there's lots of room for improvement), and go to a major publisher like Take Two or Sony who don't currently have a big FPS IP and convince them to buy and/or fund a Crysis reboot. Then release TimeSplitters Collection on Steam, XBL and PSN to bring in some good short-term revenue, and if that's a success consider investing in TimeSplitters 4 (or a reboot).
I still think the Sword of Damocles is hanging over them, as the way things stand they really don't see to have any products that anyone wants, unless Hunt is a surprise hit.
thepenguin55
Member
What an awful company. With all the reports of people not getting paid it just sounds like Crytek was run by a bunch of idiots who expanded far too rapidly. They had a crappy engine that wasn't that widely used and a VERY mediocre series in the form of Crysis and they some how thought they could be this development studio with a global presence. I will be surprised if Crytek as a whole survives 2017.
sammyCYBORG
Member
Not surprising.
Far Cry and the first Crysis are two of the best FPS ever, but their output has been shit since.
Far Cry and the first Crysis are two of the best FPS ever, but their output has been shit since.
Pantaghana
Member
Checking the Crysis 3 Origin store page, it says that Crytek owns the trademark, which, if my understanding of the clusterfuck that people call copyright laws is correct, is separate from intellectual property.
Actually, that whole situation sounds familiar, some product is in development hell because different companies own different parts of the copyright, and because they refuse to do work together, is doomed to oblivion.
171 people if the employee numbers of each studio on their website are up to date.
Crytek expanded fast, but they were working on multiple projects (Crysis, Ryse, Warface, Homefront, CryEngine) at the same time.
Yet it still pales in comparison to Wargaming. That's a company that has grown massively over the last five years (now 4000+ employees). I doubt a lot of people on here are even aware how high their headcount now is (World of Tanks' success aside).
I want to say something.
Back in spring 2016, I had the chance to visit Crytek in Frankfurt, one friend of mine showed me their work, the people and we talked much about development etc.
I always disagree with their opinion to do more F2P games, but when I saw Robinson and The Climb, I was very excited how Crytek was able to create great games in VR. These guys are very talented & passionate about their work. I hope just one thing:
MS or Sony should buy the studio. There are a lot of potential projects they could have develop. Like Crysis 4 or a Remake, more AAA VR Games on PSVR or Rift, new IP's and more. I hope they will return with some bombs and I wish all the best for them.
Back in spring 2016, I had the chance to visit Crytek in Frankfurt, one friend of mine showed me their work, the people and we talked much about development etc.
I always disagree with their opinion to do more F2P games, but when I saw Robinson and The Climb, I was very excited how Crytek was able to create great games in VR. These guys are very talented & passionate about their work. I hope just one thing:
MS or Sony should buy the studio. There are a lot of potential projects they could have develop. Like Crysis 4 or a Remake, more AAA VR Games on PSVR or Rift, new IP's and more. I hope they will return with some bombs and I wish all the best for them.
michaelius
Banned
What were all those studios doing ? Crytek haven't released any big game since Ryse iirc.
Head.spawn
Junior Member
Ryse 2 and release Arena of Fate pls.
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
Are the emoloyees still getting paid for the hours/months that they weren't closed?
Azure Phoenix
Member
Just sell the TimeSplitters IP already, I'd chip in £100 for it to reach the hands of a developer that would give a damn about it.
eyeball_kid
Member
Sad to hear about all those job losses, and right before the holidays. I hope they got paid.
This sounds like the beginning of the end for Crytek.
This sounds like the beginning of the end for Crytek.
Kssio_Aug
Member
I'm also surprised they had this many studios, since they haven't released anything in the past years. At least not that I'm aware of.
Still sad for people who lost their jobs and sad for a company that did Crysis 1, that was not only a very impressive game but also a very good one.
Still sad for people who lost their jobs and sad for a company that did Crysis 1, that was not only a very impressive game but also a very good one.
DangerMouse
Member
Yeah, didn't know they had that many locations/studios since they have had so few releases.
Goose_Se7en
Banned
Crytek thought they were Ubisoft apparently with all them satellite studios.
bitbydeath
Member
So their premium IP's is just TimeSplitters right?
Dr. Kitty Muffins
Member
I hope they sell the rights to Timesplitters.
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