14 DAY TRIAL // Crytek thinks it’s time for yet another change in game graphics so they've launched a brand-new engine. The company's third development platform is also the first natively multiplatform version of the engine, which has been officially released and is available to licensees. The engine supports the DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 for the PC, but will also be compatible with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. CryEngine 3 is supposed to be "next-gen-ready," so basically it means it will keep up and evolve to match the upcoming new consoles.
The engine was based around the idea that it should also support a certain versatility and scalability so that it can be supported by the console but also by a PC with lower component specs. This is meant to combat the complaints the company received about its previous engine, which, even though it was able to provide extraordinary graphical details, also had very high hardware requirements. It didn't really matter how good the games looked if only a handful of people could afford the systems to run them.
"With CryEngine 3 we are releasing the best development solution available today and tomorrow," said Cevat Yerli, Crytek CEO. "It is the only game engine solution that enables real-time development and can ensure teams are able to maximize their own creativity, save budget and create greater gaming experiences." Crysis 2 will be developed using this engine, and even though no other official licenses have been assigned to the engine, a rumor has already started to spread. Apparently, GSC Game World's S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will also be built around this engine.
Past games that have been produced with the other versions of the CryEngine are Far Cry, Crysis, Crysis Warhead, Merchants of Brooklyn and Aion. The engine will use a "what you see is what you play" game editor system and according to business development director Carl Jones “Even producers, project managers and suits will love CryEngine 3!"