Crytek, the renowned game developer behind the Crysis series and Hunt: Showdown, has announced a difficult decision: layoffs impacting approximately 60 employees, or 15% of its 400-person workforce. This restructuring, affecting both development teams and shared services, comes despite the continued growth of Hunt: Showdown.
In a statement from founder Avni Yerli, Crytek cited challenging market conditions as the primary driver. Following the decision to put Crysis 4 on hold in Q3 2024 and subsequent efforts to transition staff to Hunt: Showdown, cost-cutting measures proved insufficient to maintain financial stability. Crytek will provide affected employees with severance packages and career assistance.
Yerli emphasized Crytek's commitment to the future, highlighting Hunt: Showdown's ongoing success and the continued development of the CRYENGINE. The company remains dedicated to expanding and evolving Hunt: Showdown with fresh content.
This news follows the previously unannounced cancellation of a battle royale-inspired Crysis project, codenamed Crysis Next, which surfaced briefly online. Crysis Next was ultimately scrapped in favor of Crysis 4, officially announced in January 2022. While Crysis 4 is currently on hold, the Crysis franchise, known for its stunning visuals and demanding gameplay, remains a significant part of Crytek's legacy. The last mainline entry, Crysis 3, was released in 2013, though remasters of earlier titles have been released in recent years.
