Crytek has developed a reputation over the years for bleeding edge graphics in AAA retail products. However, CEO Cevat Yerli believes that the future of the company will be with free-to-play products like their own Warface.
“As we were developing console games we knew, very clearly, that the future is online and free-to-play,” said Yerli. “Right now we are in the transitional phase of our company, transitioning from packaged goods games into an entirely free-to-play experience. What this entails is that our future, all the new games that we’re working on, as well new projects, new platforms and technologies, are designed around free-to-play and online, with the highest quality development.”
Yerli wants Crytek’s products games to stand out from other F2P titles, aiming for AAA production standards, with development budgets to match. “As is evident in Warface, our approach is to ensure the best quality, console game quality,” he said. “That implies budgets of between $10m to $30m – so no compromise there – but at the price-point of $0 entry.
“I think this is a new breed of games that has to happen to change the landscape, and be the most user-friendly business model,” he said, comparing it to the DLC model of most modern FPS titles. “If you look at what kind of games are done in the packaged goods market, with DLCs and premium services and whatnot, it’s literally milking the customers to death.”
Source: Videogamer
