Crytek is in crisis – the studio decided to fire 15% of its employees and “froze” Crysis 4

German studio Crytek, known for the PvPvE shooter Hunt: Showdown 1896 and the sci-fi action series Crysis, announced forced layoffs and a suspension of work on a new game.

Image source: Crytek

Crytek has reportedly made the “difficult decision” to lay off 15% of its 400-strong workforce, with around 60 people affected. They are promised severance pay and help finding new jobs.

According to Crytek, attempts to cut costs in recent months have not been successful: continuing with the current team was not financially viable, even despite Hunt: Showdown 1896’s growth.

Crytek also said that as part of an initiative to reduce operating expenses, it has suspended development of the next numbered Crysis game, formally confirmed in January 2022, in the third quarter of 2024.

The released employees were transferred to Hunt: Showdown 1896. It is noteworthy that in November – probably after the game was “frozen” – the head of development of the new Crysis, Mattias Engström, left Crytek.

«We have great faith in the future of Crytek. With Hunt: Showdown 1896, we have a very strong game-as-service, and we are fully committed to its continued operation. We will continue to expand and develop [the game],” the studio assured.

Even before Crysis 4 was announced, Crytek had a free-to-play third-person battle royale game called Crysis Next in development. It was never officially confirmed, but 13 minutes of gameplay footage from the game leaked last summer.