Following on from part one of our interview, in which we focused on CryEngine3 and Crytek's desire to move beyond its FPS origins, we chat to CEO Cevat Yerli about the firm's first console game, the blockbuster shooter Crysis 2.
Yerli's refreshingly open when it comes to answering questions - and never shy to talk about the competition or praise his own studio's achievements. Here he tells us why Crysis 2 is Crytek's best game yet, and one that's ready to trade fire with the biggest shooters on the planet...
It was purely a development decision, to focus on quality, polish the game, meet the goals set by us. We looked at it from a business perspective and actually came back and said it wouldn't make much of a difference whether we launched in the holiday or a new release date. So we decided to take the extra time and make sure we hit our quality margin.
I looked at features that were removed about a year ago and some of these made it back in. The extra time provided the opportunity for both adding and removing features, so it's give and take.
Crytek is not for the short-term in this business, we want to offer many games in the future and sustain our business. We can't make short-sighted decisions that are all focused on profit for the next quarter. We need to set up Crysis 2 strongly so we can do future titles in this world.
The delay meant you avoided going up against Call of Duty: Black Ops, but Crysis 2 will now release one month after Killzone 3 and Bulletstorm. Are you looking forward to the competition?
Oh yes of course, always. We love competition. Without it no-one would be innovating. I think it keeps us in check, helps us make sure we don't get sloppy and are always on the cutting edge. I think Crysis 2 has benefited from that and so will consumers - because ultimately they'll get a game that is highly competitive.
On the other hand, [Killzone 3 and Bulletstorm] are great games generally and I think people will enjoy one or the other, and since they're shipping in February and Crysis 2 is in March, I think there's plenty of room for a lot of strong games in the next few months.
Can you tell us a little about Crysis 2's multiplayer and what differentiates it from other FPS games?
Generally, navigating the world feels more fluid than other multiplayer games due to the Nanosuit's ability to traverse the environments, almost like parkour. I think we've managed to create a tactical, deep experience with a unique flow.
What's important for me regarding multiplayer is that we try to be a fast but tactically rich game, a game where the Nonosuit becomes the difference between winning or dying, and mastery of it makes you a super soldier. That core essence is a fresh experience for people who have been playing other games, it feels very different. Our progression system gives players a good 50-60 hours worth of multiplayer package, and from a substance perspective, we're right there with the top shooters in the world right now.
Comments
8 comments so far...
starsail on 23 Feb '11 said:
Will this be the death of games, not Activision, but a forced merger into one platform where most devs can’t complete, not because their games are pap but because they need stellar sales close to COD, Halo or Gran Turismo? If that’s what it’ll take to keep a AAA title afloat on next gen systems them RIP gaming industry.
Only a small number of exclusives will survive (GT, Halo) but new IP’s and exclusives wont get a sniff. This is concerning as the market needs competition to assist in delivering outstanding games pushed through bitter rivalry.
Why don’t they just make an install option instead of compressing it? Who needs Blu Ray Microsoft, surely not the Xbox 360? I wonder if this will impact on the graphics, probably minor if they have great compression systems but concerning.
Since my joy on Halo Combat Evolved never diminished on Co-Op Legendary (oh that 1000 mile hike around the Control Room battling Elites and Hunters never gets old), a game that canes Co-Op loses brownie points for me. The usual excuses are it tarnishes the single player experience … I think I’ll be the just of that, just put the mode into all modern FPS. Its better to have it and not use it than to want it but not have it.
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This is also a deciding factor in getting KZ3 over Bulletstorm on release (I wish I could get both but I dont have an award winning wage when it comes to providing for a family too
gogo65uk on 23 Feb '11 said:
When the game is out and I complete it (if I stick with it that long) THEN I will let you know if them KZ3 and Bulletstorm have made Crysis 2 a better game. Until then shut your pie hole and get it finished and make it good. gobby sod
EthanWoods on 23 Feb '11 said:
The article's title is a little misleading; that's not really what he said.
BenThomasFoster on 23 Feb '11 said:
I'd have to dissagree with crytek there and your judgment on it. Publishers "Pre pay" developers to produce game there for dev's love publishers no matter how crappy the game has sold they're not making a loss. Bioware is perfect example of this. they are super loaded as they have never under performed and allways coughed up the goods for EA or M$ ensuring they get premium ammount of money. ect ect as for publishers tehir the ones who are "making and breaking" and i'd say from EA's profit last year of 719 million up from 2009 means they are going to be willing to splos that cash on some new IP's but making sure they milk that "ea sports", Bioware, battlefield and now dead space cash cow. whilst being able to fund for new games and that why EA recently have been good guys. however if you have shareholder controled activision with that nobhead as a leader your about to get 99.9% wilkage even bungie has been milked already by them creating a MMOFPS trying to emulate the WoW cash machine. sorry for crap english you can really tell i only got 1 grade C in English GCSE
starsail on 23 Feb '11 said:
A very well placed perspective on that point and addresses some of the issues well, but cash isnt endless and costs seem to get higher the more advanced hardware becomes. Interesting to see how this develops in future but I do feel costs for development at present does not paint a pretty picture for the future, but none the less, an interesting and comforting perpective.
xboxgirl on 23 Feb '11 said:
I wish they'd quit toying with me and let me know if I can play Crysis with my sharpshooter!
Very_Silver_Ownz on 23 Feb '11 said:
'' Will this be the death of games, not Activision, but a forced merger into one platform where most devs can’t complete, not because their games are pap but because they need stellar sales close to COD, Halo or Gran Turismo? If that’s what it’ll take to keep a AAA title afloat on next gen systems them RIP gaming industry. Only a small number of exclusives will survive (GT, Halo) but new IP’s and exclusives wont get a sniff. This is concerning as the market needs competition to assist in delivering outstanding games pushed through bitter rivalry. ''
If that means its so expensive to make games devs will be forced to make good games and if it means less shovelware I'm all for that.
craiglackenby on 23 Feb '11 said:
A lot of the exclusive developers like Insomniac and Valve will still make exclusives but they will most probably put out a multi plat every few years to sustain a healthy business.