Crytek, the studio behind the graphically groundbreaking Crysis series, has hit the pause button on the development of Crysis 4. This surprising move comes hot on the heels of a significant round of layoffs at the company, with around 60 employees reportedly shown the door.
The German game developer is now shifting gears to focus on its current money-maker, Hunt: Showdown. This multiplayer horror-western mashup has been steadily pulling in players since its 2019 launch, with recent Steam numbers showing peak player counts up to 25,000.
— Crytek (@Crytek) February 12, 2025
Crytek’s decision to shelve Crysis 4 isn’t just about tightening belts. It’s a strategic move to keep the studio afloat in choppy financial waters. While Crysis 4 could potentially be a hit, it’s not seen as an immediate cash cow. Hunt: Showdown, on the other hand, is already bringing home the bacon.
This isn’t the first time Crytek has faced money troubles. The company has been wrestling with financial issues for the better part of a decade. Their engine, CryEngine, while still licensed out, hasn’t been able to keep up with the likes of Unreal Engine and Unity in terms of widespread adoption.
The original Crysis, released back in 2007, set a new bar for graphics in gaming. It became a benchmark for PC performance, spawning the “But can it run Crysis?” meme. However, the series’ stunning visuals didn’t always translate to amazing sales figures.
Hunt: Showdown represents a different approach for Crytek. Instead of pushing graphical boundaries, it focuses on creating a unique, engaging multiplayer experience that keeps players coming back for more. This pivot towards games-as-a-service seems to be paying off, at least for now.
