Crytek now in bed with EA (Evolution)

Title: Crytek now in bed with EA

BrotherEstapol - July 26, 2004 05:03 AM (GMT)

http://pc.ign.com/articles/532/532930p1.html

QUOTE

July 23, 2004 - That's what happens when you go and make a technically amazing, wonderfully playable, critical and commercial smash of a game: companies like Electronic Arts start to take notice.

Thus it is with Crytek, creators of Far Cry, one of this year's hottest PC shooters, and certainly one of the prettiest games yet released. Electronic Arts announced today that it has partnered with the German studio to develop an entirely new game franchise for the PC, based on an original property. Details, as you might imagine, have not been divulged.

"Bringing original intellectual property to the interactive entertainment market is a key focus for EA," said Frank Sagnier, vice president, EA Partners Europe. "EAP's partnership agreement with Crytek is a testament to our commitment to nurturing creative development and we are delighted to be working with one of the brightest talents in Europe to create what we believe will be an innovative gaming experience."

Cevat Yerli, president of Crytek said, "We are looking forward to this partnership with EA. Our advanced technology and creativity, together with EA's production support, marketing and sales, means that we have a great opportunity to bring an original gaming experience to our consumers, as well as grow our business. We are thrilled to see this development get underway."

Of course, Far Cry was published by Ubisoft, one of EA's chief competitors. While Crytek's new agreement with EA does not lock the company into exclusivity (at least, no such arrangement has been announced), it's difficult not to wonder whether a studio with as much talent as Crytek will long remain an independent agent.

On the other hand, Electronic Arts truly does offer unrivaled marketing and distribution resources, which for a small development house with big ideas can be quite a boon. Time will tell what this arrangement will bring, both in game and business terms. But rest assured we'll keep you informed.

Ubisoft are probably quite pissed off I should think. :argh:

CLL - July 26, 2004 05:05 AM (GMT)

Yeah, I think I read something like that a few days ago. Ubisoft would be shitting bricks at the moment I would think. And EA, well, they are just becoming more powerful as the days go by. Prepare for the endless number of sequels and missionpacks for the Far Cry series.

_MetalliX_ - July 26, 2004 11:24 AM (GMT)

Hrmm, I don't exactly know if this is good news. While on the topic, what the hell is the difference between the Developer and Publisher?

Comrade Natrak - July 26, 2004 11:37 AM (GMT)

The Publisher pretty much just foots the bill to have the game published, they get to whack their name on the box, market it and I'm pretty sure they pay the development team as well.

BrotherEstapol - July 26, 2004 01:27 PM (GMT)

Yeah, the developer makes the game, then when they are done, they send it off to the publisher who then distributes it.

In basics that is, it probably more complex. :)

CLL - July 27, 2004 01:22 AM (GMT)

You've pretty much nailed it BrotherEstapol.

Another thing to note, is that in today's cutthroat market, the publishers tend to have a big say as to what they want the developers to create. Because titles cost millions and several years to produce, publishers only want to back titles that stand to have a great profit margin. That's why you tend to see lots of sequels and expansion packs (especially from EA).

Lazlow - August 3, 2004 02:06 PM (GMT)

It's also publisher scumbags like THQ, that have forced Revolution (Beneath a Steel Sky, Broken Sword) to make jobs cuts, and release future titles independantly through the internet for download.

rampaging_geek - August 4, 2004 08:46 PM (GMT)

Thats because publishers think point n click adventures are dead, we could have a few more Lucasarts Adventure games, too, if it wearnt for the publishers. :(

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