CryEngine

CryEngine is a game engine developed by Crytek. Initially created for their first-person shooter game Far Cry (2004), it has subsequently been used in all of their major titles and licensed to numerous other game developers.

Overview

The CryEngine is a real-time game development platform offering tools and technologies for creating interactive experiences. It provides a suite of features for rendering, physics simulation, audio, animation, and artificial intelligence. Crytek markets CryEngine as a comprehensive solution for developing high-fidelity games and other applications, especially those requiring advanced graphical capabilities.

History

The engine originated as a heavily modified version of the technology used in a demo created by Crytek. Far Cry was its first major commercial application. Successive versions of the engine were developed in parallel with Crytek's subsequent titles, including Crysis and Crysis Warhead. CryEngine 2 introduced support for Direct3D 10, showcasing advanced rendering techniques. CryEngine 3 was designed to be a multi-platform engine, supporting PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Later versions of the engine have expanded platform support further.

Key Features

The CryEngine boasts features such as:

• Rendering: Advanced rendering techniques, including physically based rendering (PBR), global illumination, volumetric effects, and high dynamic range (HDR) lighting.
• Physics: Integrated physics engine for realistic object interactions and simulations.
• Animation: Tools for creating and managing character and environmental animations.
• Artificial Intelligence: Systems for developing intelligent game characters and behaviors.
• Level Design: Integrated level editor with tools for creating and manipulating game environments.
• Scripting: Support for scripting languages to control game logic and events.

Licensing

CryEngine has been offered under various licensing models throughout its history. These models have included per-seat licenses, royalty-based agreements, and subscription-based options. Crytek has also experimented with different pricing structures to cater to a wider range of developers, from independent studios to large publishers.

Notable Games Using CryEngine

Besides Crytek's own titles, other games built using the CryEngine include:

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance
• Prey (2017)
• Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts
• Everybody's Gone to the Rapture
• Hunt: Showdown