Crytek announced layoffs affecting around 15 percent of its 400 employees, forcing the development of Crysis 4 to be put on hold.
The company shared news on X/Twitter that, due to challenging market conditions, it will lay off approximately 15 percent of its workforce, which affects around 400 employees. This difficult decision will impact both development teams and shared services. These layoffs come after Crytek decided to pause the development of the next Crysis game in the third quarter of 2024. The company had been trying to reassign developers to work on Hunt: Showdown 1896, but rising cost pressures made these layoffs unavoidable to ensure financial sustainability.
Despite ongoing efforts to cut costs and reduce operating expenses, Crytek explained that reducing staff became a necessary step to move forward. Affected employees will receive severance packages and career assistance services. The company expressed regret over the decision and gratitude for the hard work of its teams, emphasizing that this was not an easy choice.
This restructuring has significant implications for the Crysis series, renowned for its groundbreaking first-person shooter gameplay and the use of nanosuits that enhance players’ physical abilities. The series has been celebrated for its intense combat against both advanced military forces and technologically superior alien enemies. Crysis 4, which was announced on January 26, 2022, is now put on hold as part of these organizational changes.
Crytek stated that, despite the challenges, the company remains confident about its future. With Hunt: Showdown 1896 continuing to grow, Crytek is fully committed to its development and plans to expand the game with additional content. The company also reaffirmed its dedication to advancing its in-house CRYENGINE, ensuring its technological foundation remains strong.
These measures reflect the broader struggles faced by many gaming companies in recent years. Crytek acknowledged that the complex and unfavorable market conditions have significantly impacted the industry, and even well-established companies are not immune to these pressures.