GC 2008: Crysis cost $22 million, next Crytek engine due 2012
by Randy Nelson 
{ Aug 19th 2008 at 11:30PM }
Best known for their stunning visuals, Crytek's game engines are also guilty of bringing even the mightiest of gaming PCs to their knees. While the upcoming, heavily-optimized Crysis: Warhead promises a significant performance increase even on mid-range systems, Crytek is already cooking up its next GPU melter, which Yerli says should be ready by 2012. That's when he anticipates GPU tech making the next major leap in its evolution; until then, he expects fellow developers to focus more on what they already have to work with, by means of stylized graphics and hardware accelerated physics.
Source – Crysis cost 22 million to make, IGN
Source – Crytek: New engine in 2012, IGN
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Isaac @ Aug 19th 2008 11:36PM
I didn't buy Crysis because it was a bad game.
What many fail to understand is that just because someone torents something it does not mean that they lost a sale.
Not everyone who torrented Crysis would of bought it.
Stop your bitching and make a good game.
chr @ Aug 20th 2008 12:01AM
Crysis was a good game Isaac. Did you even play it? I know MANY people who pirated Crysis would have bought it otherwise.
Ihavepants @ Aug 20th 2008 12:26AM
Can you explain what was bad about it please? Sure the story was not all that interesting but it served its purpose and never had me really cringing.
The worst you can really say about it was that it was average, and even then I and many others would disagree.
Tiptup300 @ Aug 20th 2008 12:37AM
I bought it, at first I was running at very high and it was running smoothly, then I got into the forest and my pc couldn't take it. I'd rather a graphically okay game with excellent gameplay then a graphically excellent game with okay gameplay.
J @ Aug 20th 2008 12:58AM
It wasn't a great game, but neither was it bad. I had fun with it. They made far cry, and that was fun as well. They put a lot of effort making the engine and the game, and got little in return. Company's like that should be reward. We don't want to encourage low production value shovelware like those that gets released on the wii and make plenty of money.
But i get your point, piracy doesn't necessarily take away potential customers. However, the more popular and good a game is, the easier it is to find ppl seeding it. I'm just defending this game. It wasn't bad. Far from it. I know it's just an opinion, but based on your opinion, I don't think you ever played the game.
While the attention was mostly given to its graphics, it's gameplay is good as well. I think most "fans" were focused on the graphics part and relunctant to buy a game they're computer can barely handle. The graphics was the significant appeal of the game though, but that isn't a bad thing.
You think Gears would've been such a big deal if it didn't look so good? Vehicles? pfft. Sniping? pfft, far cry let you snipe from half a kilometer away. Gore? yeah it had that. Story? ?? Gameplay wise, all it had was a cover system, but the amazing graphics in Gears helped players immerse themselves.
Gears just isn't as easy to pirate as Crysis.
BananaBoat @ Aug 20th 2008 1:07AM
That's like saying "Yeah, I stole that loaf of bread from that bakery, but who's to say that anyone would have bought it anyway?" I don't agree with the guys position that piracy hurt his sales (I think the insane PC requirements did that, along with the declining PC market) but the entire "Well hell, I stole the game, and I played it through, but I didn't like the stupid thing while I was playing it, and I wouldn't have bought it anyway" argument really annoys the crap out of me.
I bought it, and with my outdated 7900GT I wasn't really able to play it at anything other than low. I shelved it after playing for about an hour, and only recently (after the building of a new computer with a 4870) did I play it through. It really is a graphical marvel, and it's beyond comparison to any other game. If that alone doesn't make it a "good game" (if not a GREAT game) then I don't know what does.
Foetoid @ Aug 20th 2008 1:17AM
I loved Crysis, i am playing through it at the moment for a second time because i upgraded from the 8600gt to the 9600gt and Crysis loves the upgrade. It looks better and runs far smoother than on the old 8600gt and it's still just as much fun to play. I've got UT3, Timeshift, STALKER and Bioshock also on my PC and i can't even find the need or the want to finish them cause i am STILL having tons of fun with Crysis and i've had it legit since launch.
The thing that really gets me, is that the obscene hardcore PCs that could barely run crysis at launch are now standard. I bought my 9600gt for a mere AUS$150 and i can build a full top-notch AMD dual-core system with that videocard for only AUS$575. Thats less than a weeks wages and it'll run crysis with half the settings on High at 40+fps. Why make the new Crysis: Warhead dumbed-down for older PCs when PCs have nearly doubled in graphical prowess for the same price since Crysis first came out?
Vidikron (FU) @ Aug 20th 2008 2:53AM
"Why make the new Crysis: Warhead dumbed-down for older PCs when PCs have nearly doubled in graphical prowess for the same price since Crysis first came out?"
Because most people don't have top of the line PCs? Crysis launched less than a year ago. Even though we've had a new wave of GPUs launch, I'd wager that that the vast majority of people are still using older cards.
Replica23 @ Aug 20th 2008 4:36AM
What I really want to know is how so many people can both dislike a game they played and bitch about it killing their computer. That makes no sense to me.
Questworld @ Aug 21st 2008 3:27AM
Crysis is a bad game? I may not play that many games, or even just counting FPS games, but I fail to see how Crysis even remotely close to a bad game.
linkman26 @ Aug 19th 2008 11:38PM
But.....won't the world end in 2012?!?!?!?!?!
Tehman @ Aug 19th 2008 11:54PM
Exactly! Crytek's new engine will look more beautiful than God's own engine ( Earth ). That it will finally incur his wrath to begin the apocalypse. Basically he asked Satan to write the new script for there next game. ( He co-wrote the last one)
T2Master @ Aug 19th 2008 11:54PM
It will end precisely because the computers powerful enough to run the sequel will become sentient and destroy the world. See WarGames.
MrSpaceCowboy @ Aug 20th 2008 12:44AM
Looks like I'll be building another PC in 2012... unless the world ends.
theturtle363 @ Aug 19th 2008 11:47PM
Wow, I can't even imagine how good the graphics will be from Crytek by then.
Einhanderkiller @ Aug 19th 2008 11:49PM
They'll be |------------this-------------| good!
Tiptup300 @ Aug 20th 2008 12:37AM
(not to scale)
F1 @ Aug 20th 2008 12:00AM
I always thought Crysis would be the reason for the end of the world.
F1 @ Aug 20th 2008 12:03AM
OMG! I hit reply and actually SAW my post when the page refreshed!!
I better stock up on rashions for the coming doomsday!
chr @ Aug 20th 2008 12:01AM
Crysis was a good game and Crytec lost a lot of money due to pirates.
Peregrine @ Aug 23rd 2008 5:02PM
Crysis sold over 1.5 million copies(per EA). At $40 each(on average), that means Crysis generated $60 million in revenue. It costs them $22 million to make it. Mostly it was just a lot of complaining, because they expected to be able to sell 8 million copies like Halo or Half-life or GTA. The problem is, you really limit your customer base when you have requirements too high.
BigD145 @ Aug 20th 2008 2:24AM
A lot? Got a source on that claim?
rdj75 @ Aug 20th 2008 12:07AM
I mean, how profitable can this be if there isn't hardly anything that can run the damn thing with above average settings, I mean come on 22million?
Ihavepants @ Aug 20th 2008 12:27AM
Do you even own a PC, or know anything about hardware? I doubt it.
Foetoid @ Aug 20th 2008 1:32AM
What the?
Do you have any idea how cheap PCs are these days? I can build a system to run Crysis with most settings on High (the rest on medium) for about AUS$575. To put it into perspective, thats less than a weeks wages for a:
Amd 5200+ Dual Core
9600gt OC graphics card
4gb RAM
Nice case/Psu
decent gigabyte m/board
250gb hdd
samsung DVD burner.
Dont gimme this crap about not running abover average. I can build a PC for AU$2000 that will do it maxed out, with a big quad phenom and an overclocked 280GTX. Do some research or you'll make yourself look retarded.
rdj75 @ Aug 20th 2008 6:55AM
Ihavepants, foetoid
Both of you dont need to be jackasses.
Now I don't game too often on my pc but my main pc(for my job) is fast enough to run crysis on above average settings but I am talking about the masses here. The AVERAGE pc can't run this game adequately, now yes it wouldn't be that expensive to build your own pc or upgrade what you have but would it really be worth it just to play one to two average games? I mean is it smart for the AVERAGE consumer person to spend almost a weeks wages(according to foetoid)just to upgrade or buy a new pc just to play a $30 game? This is why the console market is destroying the pc market right now, because its perceived(by the average consumer) to have more value per dollar.
I am looking at the business side of things, have I played crysis? Yes and it looks and plays amazing in my opinion but how many copies of this game is the hardcore going to purchase, how many copies of this game is the casual going to purchase. We are talking about costs of 22million that they need to recoup. The average person isn't going to run out and spend x amount of dollars to upgrade their pc every year just to play the next greatest thing. The average person isnt going to be on joystiq reading your post saying "well lets listen to Ihavepants and foetoid, they said it wouldn't cost much to upgrade". Look at the bigger picture here.
Abuzar Baloach @ Aug 20th 2008 8:02AM
The AVERAGE pc is by Dell and uses integrated graphics. Most people don't build their own computers.
I doubt it would even START Crysis.
Ihavepants @ Aug 20th 2008 9:15AM
The thing is that we're talking about the average GAMING pc, an average PC nowadays that is made for gaming can play the game fine. We aren't talking about computers that were built for spreadsheets and myspace and people who get those kind of machines realise that it can't run the latest games and if they don't well... that's silly. I myself work as an I.T. Tech and occasionally deal with sales as well. We tell the customers that the computers we sell them can do pretty much anything except graphics extensive stuff like games and HD movies.
You can't blame a 360 or PS3 game not doing well right now because the largest install base is the PS2 and Wii. And the same goes for computers that were never meant for gaming.
5th hot meal @ Aug 20th 2008 12:09AM
Credit where credit is due chaps, Crytek have raised the bar and have been extremely innovative and creative with their technology.
Buy a new rig next year and then play crisis on full whack, i'm sure you will appreciate it, heck, i just this very day reinstalled S.T.A.L.K.E.R on a new rig to experience it at full whack.
Cryteks new engine wil rock, it will be astounding, as will EPIC Games new engine (presuming they don't get sued into bankruptcy by Dryack).
Nice 1 Crytek, you get a thumbs up from me.
unangbangkay @ Aug 20th 2008 12:14AM
Personally I liked Crysis. It had a decent campaign and of course, incredible graphics. I could never find a good multiplayer match, but it was a fine game.
Deatharea @ Aug 20th 2008 12:26AM
Cyrtec just had a bad business plan for this game. They spent 22 million on it and clearly didn't take into account the whole piracy thing considering how much they are bemoaning over it. Perhaps if they spent more time on the game play and less on the graphics (which I suspect is one of the reason it was pirated to the extent it was) it would have sold better.
Bobby S. @ Aug 20th 2008 12:27AM
The game did go platinum quite awhile ago selling 1 million so yeah they did turn a profit.
But common, GTA IV did cost $100 million to make.
I did enjoy Crysis, it was different but some flaws kinda ruined it. Such as the flying escort mission which I thought was horrendous because of the terrible controls.
But other aspects such as the large tank battle with the Koreans was awesome.
I hope they learned from their mistakes and improved it for Crysis Warhead which is shorter but I hope it has everything we loved about the original and none of the crummy parts.
Ihavepants @ Aug 20th 2008 12:30AM
You forgot the worst part, ALIENS. Those things weren't fun to kill, up until they were introduced I thought the game was amazing.
Turkish Superman @ Aug 20th 2008 12:29AM
I only pirate games I know are bad instead of pirating ones I think I'd like!
Capt-Frantic @ Aug 20th 2008 1:18AM
So you also shoplift for tank tops and bell bottom trousers? That is truly the stupidest thing I have ever seen on ANY forum. "I only pirate games that are crap" ahahaha ... and I steal sh1t books that I will never read.
Tiptup300 @ Aug 20th 2008 1:06AM
Are you actually trying to push that "You wouldn't steal a dvd" thing on people? Seriously, I never thought those made any sense.
Also, another problem I found with pc gaming is that it's a whole lot easier to pirate a game then find a demo for it. Try finding a great site to get pc demos as fast as torrenting. Steam works great, but it doesn't have that many demos available. Every pc game should have a demo ready available via steam or torrents. Search "Demo" on mininova, have fun trying to find results.
Turkish Superman @ Aug 20th 2008 1:10AM
Woosh!
Ihavepants @ Aug 20th 2008 1:43AM
Well in regards to Demo's any gaming site would have a download for Crysis's Demo, and would most likely go faster than any public torrents you'll find.
Ihavepants @ Aug 20th 2008 1:49AM
Also TipTup, what you're saying is that they're not comparable because you don't get punished for pirating software. Maybe that should change, that's the only real difference here. You don't shoplift because you realise that if you're caught you will face real consequences.
Tiptup300 @ Aug 20th 2008 3:49AM
I don't shoplift, because you're stealing directly from the owner of that shop. I don't care if it's a big dude in corporate, or an old man, you just stole directly. You took what was his. If you download, you aren't stealing, but you are spitting in the face of who worked hard to create the game.
I don't pirate pc games, I don't pirate console games. Also, I don't like downloading big files over http, I like being able to pause and stuff. I realize their are download managers and firefox also has a system for it, but firefox seems to always have problems with big files and I already have utorrent as a download manager.
Ihavepants @ Aug 20th 2008 6:47AM
How is it not stealing? They made a product to sell, you take it without paying for it. Just because you say "it's not stealing" doesn't make it so. Digital or not.
Tiptup300 @ Aug 20th 2008 11:36PM
It's bad, I'm just saying
Downloading a game via torrents != shoplifting
Garrett @ Aug 20th 2008 12:49AM
Man games are getting expensive to make.
MariosInferno @ Aug 20th 2008 9:06AM
Nahh...this is just the direction certain developers are choosing to go.
It doesn't cost $22M to make a good game. I'll take the margins Retro has reaped on Metroid Prime 3 any day of the week over Cytek's, which I assure you are slim.
But, whatever...this is what Crytek does. It's a risky game though...one flop can leave a developer hurtin'.
rta @ Aug 20th 2008 1:42AM
Crysis....Zzzzzzzzz.
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 20th 2008 6:55AM
That's exactly what I did when I watched my friend play Crysis. Such a boring, mediocre (but pretty) game.
mr bean @ Aug 20th 2008 1:54AM
I didn't buy Crysis mainly because......oh, you know-couldn't play it on the 360.
BigD145 @ Aug 20th 2008 2:26AM
If it wasn't for pirates, the game would have only cost $0.02 to make.
mystictaco @ Aug 20th 2008 3:39AM
Pirating is not stealing. Despite the fact that you are not actually taking anything physically, even if you were caught and prosecuted it wouldn't be for shoplifting or burglary, it would be copyright infringement. See if you paid attention to those fancy little EULA's when you install games, you'd notice that what you actually paid for is the right to play the game. You can't exactly "steal" that since it's not a material good.
Limezor @ Aug 20th 2008 5:48AM
The amount of graphics cards this game has sold as well as advances in graphics quality was well worth it, even if it was a mediocre (sorry Im in Europe with an unfamiliar keyboard and a Firefox with a different language so no spellcheck) game.