EA's New Game Is A Far Cry from Original IP

Having snatched award-winning developers Crytek from rival publisher Ubisoft in what the company refers to as a 'strategic partnership', Electronic Arts has announced the first joint project - a PC-based first-person shooter built around the Far Cry engine.

Whilst little was known about EA and Crytek's plans under the terms of their exclusive developer/publisher agreement, the company's promise of creating "an exciting new game franchise for the PC based on original intellectual property" offered hope of something a little more intriguing than an updated FPS using Crytek's proprietary cryENGINE.

The new PC game, a release date for which has yet to be announced, does sound remarkably similar to the Ubisoft published and award-winning FPS, Far Cry. However, both EA and Crytek are keen to stress that the latest offering, Crysis, will provide something very different to the average FPS.

Crytek president and CEO Cevat Yerli commented: "Our focus has always been on innovating gameplay and technology, and bringing new experiences to gamers through our original intellectual properties. Crysis will be a showcase for that commitment and will offer gamers from all over the world the next step in FPS gaming."

Slated to be published worldwide by EA, Crysis is said to offer a new kind of gameplay. Players must use "adaptive tactics and customisation of weapons and armor" as they struggle through hostile environments in an effort to fend off an alien invasion.

"We are delighted to reach the next level in our relationship with Crytek," said Tom Frisina, VP and GM for EA Partners. "Nurturing creative talent and bringing original intellectual property to the world of interactive entertainment is a key focus for EA and EA Partners. Crysis will bring an entirely new FPS experience to gamers everywhere."

Little more is known of the game at present, though it is expected that Crysis will be the first in a series of games based on cryENGINE 2. Ubisoft's console adaptations of the original Far Cry shooter remain unaffected by the announcement.