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Crytek

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Crytek GmbH
Company typePrivateGmbH
IndustryVideo games
FoundedSeptember 1999;25 years ago(1999-09)inCoburg,Germany
Founders
Headquarters
Frankfurt
,
Germany
Key people
  • Avni Yerli (co-CEO)
  • Faruk Yerli (co-CEO)
Products
OwnerYerli family[1]
Number of employees
405 (2024)
SubsidiariesList of Crytek subsidiaries
Websitecrytek.com

Crytek GmbHis a Germanvideo game developerandsoftware developerbased inFrankfurt.Founded by the Yerli brothers inCoburgin 1999 and moved to Frankfurt in 2006, Crytek operates additional studios inKyiv,Ukraine andIstanbul,Turkey.[2]Its former studios includedCrytek Black SeainSofia,Bulgaria,Crytek UKinNottingham,andCrytek USAinAustin, Texas.Crytek is best known for developingthe first instalmentof theFar Cryseries, theCrysisseries, and theopen worldnature of their games which showcase the company'sCryEngine.As of August 2024, Crytek is the largest game developer in Germany with 405 employees.[3]

History

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Crytek's previous logo, used until 2018

1999–2004: CryEngine andFar Cry

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The E3 2000 Crytek demo disk

Crytek was founded by theTurkish-GermanbrothersCevat,Avni and Faruk Yerli in September 1999 inCoburg,Germany.[4]One of their first projects was a tech demo of a game calledX-Isle: Dinosaur Island,which showcased their game engine technology that offered larger viewing distances than other game engines could at that time. They met withNvidiaduring the 1999Electronic Entertainment Expo(E3) where theirtech democaught the attention of Nvidia and various media groups. Crytek later signed on with Nvidia to distributeX-Isleas benchmarking software for Nvidia cards.[4]

Crytek's first major game project wasEngalus,afirst-person shooterwith acyberpunktheme androle-playingelements, which was first privately shown at E3 2000. The project first attracted publicity for the company at the 2000ECTSwith their tech demo at the Nvidia booth, but was subsequently cancelled.[5]Crytek was approached byUbisoftto developX-Isleinto a fullAAAgame. This evolved intoFar Cry,which was released in March 2004. Concurrently, Crytek announced their licensable game engine,CryEngine,that was used forX-IsleandFar Cry.[4]

In February 2004, German police carried out a morning raid on Crytek offices, acting on an ex-intern's claim that Crytek was using software illegally. The police investigated for software copies greater than licences purchased, but no charges were pressed.[6]That same month, Crytek andElectronic Arts(EA) announced a strategic partnership to develop a new gaming franchise based on the CryEngine, which would eventually be theCrysisseries. Crytek chose this path to highlight that the CryEngine was not limited to just whatFar Cryhad shown.[4]Due to this partnership, Ubisoft acquired the full rights to theFar Cryfranchise by 2006 as well as a perpetual licence to the first CryEngine, which they have since adapted into their own Dunia Engine.[7]In December 2004, Crytek andATIcreated a special cinematicmachinima[8]to demonstrate the future of PC gaming.

2004–2014: Company expansion, CryEngine 2 and 3, and later games

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In January 2006, Crytek announced the development ofCrysis,promising that it would be an original first-person shooter with a new kind of gameplay challenge requiring "adaptive tactics".[9]The game later won several Best PC Game awards fromE3andGames Convention.In April 2006, Crytek moved to new offices in Frankfurt. The first public demonstration of Crytek's CryEngine 2 was in January 2007, one year afterCrysiswas announced. It has been licensed by many companies such asAvatar Reality,WeMade Entertainment,Entropia Universe,XLGames, Reloaded Studios.

On 11 May 2006, Crytek announced that their satellite studio inKyiv,Ukraine, had been upgraded to a full development studio, giving the company its second development studio. About a week after the upgrade of the Kyiv studio, Crytek announced a new studio inBudapest,Hungary.

Crysiswas released in November 2007. In September 2008, an expansion toCrysisentitledCrysis Warheadwas released as a PC-exclusive game. In October 2011,Crysiswas released on some consoles, allowing play of the original game viaXbox Liveand thePlayStation Network.

On 14 July 2008, Crytek bought Black Sea Studios and renamed it toCrytek Black Sea.[10]On 17 November 2008, Crytek opened an office in South Korea named Crytek, Ltd.[11]On 3 February 2009, Crytek purchasedFree Radical Design,a British video game company known for theTimeSplittersseries,and renamed the company toCrytek UK.[12]

In March 2009, Crytek announced on the company's website that it would introduce CryEngine 3 at the 2009Game Developers Conference.This new engine was developed for use onPlayStation 3,Xbox 360and PCs.[13]In October 2009, CryEngine 3 became available in trade flow for game developers.[14]In March 2010, CryEngine 3 was made compatible withstereoscopic 3Dtechnology.[15]Crytek releasedCrysis 2,a direct sequel to the original game, in March 2011.

AtE3 2011,Crytek exhibited several new projects, including the action gameRyse: Son of Rome.In September 2011,THQand Crytek announced a partnership to developHomefront 2.[16]After THQ filed for bankruptcy, Crytek acquired theHomefrontfranchise from THQ entirely in January 2013.[17]In February 2012, Crytek announced a new cloud based social gaming network called Gface.[18]The service is designed to help users meet people and play multiplayer video games with friends.[19]Crytek began researching a cloud gaming system in 2005 forCrysis,but paused development in 2007.[20][21]

In April 2012, Crytek released the CryEngine 3.4 SDK which brought full DirectX 11 support to the CryEngine SDK.[22]Crytek releasedCrysis 3in February 2013[23]andRyse: Son of Romein November 2013 as anXbox Onelaunch title.[24]The PC version ofRysewas released in October 2014.[25]

On 17 January 2013, Crytek officially opened an office in Istanbul, Turkey.[26]On 28 January 2013, Crytek opened a new studio,Crytek USA,in Austin, Texas, consisting primarily of formerVigil Gamesemployees.[27]

Since 2014: Restructuring, new leadership, CryEngine V, and latest games

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In June 2014, reports surfaced that Crytek had missed wage payments and withheld bonuses for Crytek UK and Crytek USA employees, and the company responded that it was in a "transitional phase" as it secured capital for future projects, with a particular emphasis on online gaming. In July 2014, Crytek announced a strategic deal where the rights toHomefrontincludingHomefront: The Revolutionand the Crytek UK staff were transferred toKoch Media.The team continued its work on the game as the new Deep Silver Dambuster Studios. Crytek USA was restructured to remain an engine support team while development ofHunt: Horrors of the Gilded Agewas transferred to Crytek.

On 20 December 2016, Crytek announced that their studios in Hungary, Bulgaria, South Korea and China would be shut down.[28]On 7 March 2017, Crytek sold Crytek Black Sea toSegaandThe Creative Assembly.[29]On 28 February 2018, Crytek announced that Cevat Yerli was stepping down aschief executive officer(CEO) of Crytek, with his brothers, Avni and Faruk Yerli, taking over the company's leadership as joint CEOs. Cevat continues to support the company as an advisor and major shareholder.[30]Crytek announced the next iteration of the engine branded CRYENGINE V on March 22, 2016.[31]

Crytek releasedHunt: Showdown(utilising the fifth generation of theCryEngine) in 2019–20. The company has also worked on threevirtual realityprojects, namelyThe Climbfor theOculus Rift,The Climb 2for theOculus Riftand Oculus Quest 2, andRobinson: The Journeyfor thePlayStation VR,Oculus RiftandSteamVR.Arena of Fatewas cancelled after Crytek's restructuring which saw the game's developer Crytek Black Sea sold.[28]

In July 2021, German tabloid BILD reported that the Chinese Internet companyTencentwas attempting to buy Crytek for over €300 million via a European subsidiary.[32]

In 2021, the Creative Services team responsible for creating trailers, won a Gold MUSE Award for The Dark Sight Trailer that promotedHunt: Showdown.[33]

On January 26, 2022, Crytek announced the 4th instalment of the Crysis franchise.[34]

Subsidiaries

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  • Crytek Kiev inKyiv,Ukraine — founded in 2006.
  • Crytek Istanbul inIstanbul,Turkey — founded in 2012.

Former

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  • Crytek Black SeainSofia,Bulgaria — founded in 2001 as Black Sea Studios; acquired and renamed in 2008; sold toSegain 2017.
  • Crytek Budapest inBudapest,Hungary — founded in 2007, closed in 2016.
  • Crytek Seoul inSeoul,South Korea — founded in 2008, closed in 2016.
  • Crytek Shanghai inShanghai,China — founded in 2012, closed in 2016.
  • Crytek UKinNottingham,England — founded in 1999 as Free Radical Design; acquired and renamed in 2009; sold toDeep Silverin 2014.
  • Crytek USAinAustin, Texas,U.S. — founded in 2013, closed in 2014.

Games developed

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Year Title Publisher(s) Platform(s) Studio(s)
2004 Far Cry Ubisoft Microsoft Windows Crytek
2007 Crysis Electronic Arts Microsoft Windows,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360
2008 Crysis Warhead Microsoft Windows Crytek Budapest
2011 Crysis 2 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Crytek,Crytek UK
2012 Fibble: Flick 'n' Roll Crytek Android,iOS Crytek Budapest
2013 Crysis 3 Electronic Arts Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Crytek, Crytek UK
Warface Microsoft Studios,Crytek Microsoft Windows,PlayStation 4,Xbox 360,Xbox One,Nintendo Switch Crytek Kiev
Ryse: Son of Rome Microsoft Windows, Xbox One Crytek
2014 The Collectables DeNA iOS Crytek Budapest
2016 The Climb Crytek Microsoft Windows, Oculus Quest (2019) Crytek
Robinson: The Journey Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
2019 Hunt: Showdown Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2020 Crysis Remastered Microsoft Windows,Nintendo Switch,PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The Climb 2 Oculus Quest,Oculus Quest 2
2021 Crysis 2 Remastered Microsoft Windows,Nintendo Switch,PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Crysis 3 Remastered
TBA Crysis 4 —

Cancelled games

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References

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  1. ^""The transformation was painful. We paid the price"".eurogamer.net.8 August 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 7 September 2015.Retrieved2 December2017.
  2. ^"Crytek closes five studios after rough year".20 December 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2016.Retrieved20 December2016.
  3. ^Fröhlich, Petra (15 August 2024)."Die größten Games-Studios in Deutschland 2024"[The largest game studios in Germany in 2024].GamesWirtschaft(in German).Archivedfrom the original on 15 August 2024.Retrieved15 August2024.
  4. ^abcdHall, Charlie (11 July 2013)."THE STORY OF CRYTEK: FROM X-ISLE THROUGH REDEMPTION".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on 22 March 2017.Retrieved31 May2017.
  5. ^abCorriea, Alexa Ray (7 February 2013)."Crytek's canceled FPS was a cyberpunk adventure of 'Half-Life meets Metal Gear Solid'".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on 24 December 2018.Retrieved17 May2017.
  6. ^"Crytek Raided".5 February 2004.Archivedfrom the original on 18 February 2015.Retrieved27 January2015.
  7. ^Steel, Wade (30 March 2006)."UBISOFT ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO FAR CRY".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on 20 March 2017.Retrieved30 May2017.
  8. ^"Crytek and ATI Demo".Archived fromthe originalon 4 November 2007.
  9. ^"Crysis Announced".Archived fromthe originalon 6 April 2006.
  10. ^Crytek bought Black Sea StudiosArchived18 July 2008 at theWayback Machine
  11. ^"Crytek Opens South Korean Office".Shacknews.Archivedfrom the original on 29 May 2009.Retrieved25 September2015.
  12. ^"Crytek Buys TimeSplitters Dev. Free Radical".Shacknews.Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2009.Retrieved25 September2015.
  13. ^"Crytek Announces CryENGINE 3".Crytek. 11 March 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 23 March 2009.Retrieved12 March2009.
  14. ^"Crytek CryENGINE 3 trade begins".Hardwired. 14 October 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 7 August 2014.Retrieved14 October2009.
  15. ^"CryTek Adds Stereoscopic 3D To Its Game Engine".ApertureGames. 14 October 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 7 July 2011.Retrieved3 March2010.
  16. ^Kietzmann, Ludwig (20 September 2011)."Crytek developing Homefront sequel with THQ".Joystiq.Archivedfrom the original on 12 October 2013.Retrieved21 September2011.
  17. ^"THQ Dissolved, Saints Row, Company of Heroes Devs Acquired".IGN.23 January 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 25 July 2015.Retrieved23 January2013.
  18. ^"Gface, Crytek-backed streaming game network, goes into beta".Joystiq. 5 February 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 31 January 2015.Retrieved5 February2012.
  19. ^Fletcher, JC (5 February 2012)."Gface, Crytek-backed streaming game network, goes into beta".Joystiq.Archivedfrom the original on 31 January 2015.Retrieved16 December2013.
  20. ^Sandberg, Adam (2 April 2009)."Crytek was way ahead of OnLive".That VideoGame Blog.Archivedfrom the original on 5 June 2015.Retrieved16 December2013.
  21. ^Dobra, Andrei (27 April 2009)."Crytek Attempted Cloud Gaming Way Before OnLive".Softpedia.Archivedfrom the original on 8 December 2015.Retrieved16 December2013.
  22. ^"CryEngine 3.4 SDK, Crytek today announced the arrival of a feature-filled update to its award-winning game development solution, CryENGINE 3".Crytek. 13 April 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 20 April 2012.Retrieved17 April2012.
  23. ^"Crysis 3 Release Date Announced".GameSpy.Archived fromthe originalon 29 January 2013.Retrieved3 November2014.
  24. ^"Xbox One to Launch on 22 November 2013 in 13 Markets".Xbox.22 November 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 1 February 2015.Retrieved27 January2015.
  25. ^"Ryse PC release date and system requirements revealed".PC Gamer.Archivedfrom the original on 3 November 2014.Retrieved3 November2014.
  26. ^"Crytek".Archived fromthe originalon 26 September 2015.Retrieved25 September2015.
  27. ^"How Crytek hired the ex-Vigil team (and formed a new studio) based on one meeting".VentureBeat.Archivedfrom the original on 7 March 2013.Retrieved3 April2013.
  28. ^ab"Crytek Outlines Future Plans and Focuses on Return to Core Competencies".15 June 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2016.Retrieved20 December2016.
  29. ^"Crytek sells Black Sea studio in Bulgaria to Sega and The Creative Assembly".7 March 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 25 October 2017.Retrieved30 August2017.
  30. ^"The CEO of Crytek has stepped down".Polygon.28 February 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 28 February 2018.Retrieved28 February2018.
  31. ^"Crytek's Video Game Engine is Now Free".15 March 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 24 June 2021.Retrieved18 June2021.
  32. ^"China-Konzern will deutsche Gaming-Firma kaufen: Wegen Kriegs-Simulationssoftware?".13 July 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 15 July 2021.Retrieved15 July2021.
  33. ^"You are being redirected..."museaward.com.Archivedfrom the original on 6 December 2021.Retrieved6 December2021.
  34. ^Yerli, Avni (26 January 2022)."Next Crysis game.... CONFIRMED!".Crysis.com.Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2022.Retrieved26 January2022.
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