German game developer Crytek is not having the best of times as the company has revealed plans to reduce its workforce by 15%. The layoffs will directly impact approximately 60 employees working at the studio. After announcing the impending layoffs the studio also stated that the highly anticipated Crysis 4 has been put on hold as a result of this decision.
In a statement shared on social media, Crytek expressed the difficulty of the decision, stating that “we deeply appreciate the hard work of our talented teams.”
The company explained that after pausing development on Crysis 4 in Q3 2024, efforts were made to transition developers to work on Hunt: Showdown 1896, its live-service game. However, despite the growth of Hunt: Showdown 1896, Crytek acknowledged that it could no longer sustain its current operations financially.
“While Hunt: Showdown 1896 is still growing, Crytek cannot continue as before and remain financially sustainable. Even after ongoing efforts to reduce costs and cut operating expenses, we have determined that layoffs are inevitable to move forward,” the statement continued.
Crytek concluded by reaffirming its commitment to the future, stating, “We firmly believe in the future of Crytek. With Hunt: Showdown 1896, we have a very strong gaming service and remain fully committed to its operation.”
It always seems easier for a studio to bank on a live service game that provides revenue than investing in a single-player IP. It’s a much safer bet when a studio can prioritize monetization via micro-transactions and battle passes than through creating a great gaming experience.
Everyone seems to want to be the next Fortnite, and in all honesty, who can blame them. Why create a full game with a story, solid mechanics, and passion behind it when you can design a digital hamster wheel to print money? At least the player base is happy!
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