Crysis 4 ‘On Hold’ as Developer Crytek Announces Layoffs Affecting Up to 60 Staff

Crytek, the renowned game developer behind the Crysis series and Hunt: Showdown, has announced a difficult decision: laying off approximately 60 employees, representing 15% of its 400-person workforce. This restructuring, affecting 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 reason. After pausing development on Crysis 4 in Q3 2024 and shifting resources to Hunt: Showdown, cost-cutting measures proved insufficient to maintain financial stability. Affected employees will receive severance packages and career assistance.

Yerli emphasized Crytek's commitment to the future, highlighting Hunt: Showdown's continued success and the ongoing development of the CRYENGINE. The company remains dedicated to expanding and evolving Hunt: Showdown with new content.

The news follows the previously unannounced cancellation of a battle royale-inspired Crysis project, codenamed Crysis Next. This project, featuring third-person gameplay, was scrapped in favor of Crysis 4, which was officially announced in January 2022. While Crysis 4 is currently on hold, the future of the franchise remains uncertain.

The Crysis series, known for its stunning visuals and demanding system requirements, has left a lasting mark on gaming culture. The original Crysis, released in 2007, became a benchmark for PC performance, giving rise to the iconic phrase, "But can it run Crysis?" The last mainline entry, Crysis 3, launched in February 2013. While remasters of earlier titles have been released, substantial updates on Crysis 4 have been scarce since its initial announcement.