Crytek Shanghai Reportedly Closed Following Failure to Pay Rent and Salaries

Crytek’s financial woes hardly surprise us anymore but it continues to pop up in the news every now and then for questionable management practices. The studio’s latest victims are its Shanghai-based employees, who’ve reportedly been unpaid since September 2016.

[windblowsagain]

Unpaid, that just isn't on.

Crytek failed to understand so many things.

A shooter needs more then some fancy graphics and physics. The MP has to be the most solid of all now. They squandered it with Crysis. Although SP it was decent in many places.

Ryse was good, but was never going to be a massive seller. Those types of games never are. 1.4million sold. A second Ryse would be a waste of time.

For the engine they have. An action RPG would have been the right way to go.

Hopefully they can salvage something from it.

[EatCrow]

Ryse still is one of the better games this gen since launch.
I like roman gladiator settings tho.

I believe MS tried to buy Ryse IP afterwards. Hopefully they do before Crytek goes completely under.

[indyman7777]

Hopefully they do so AFTER it goes completely under. Because THEN is when they will get the best price. But you may STILL be right because if they pay more for it they will be under pressure to do something with it and to justify spending a lot.

I hope all the FULLS that came on here and DEFENDED Crytek and their slezy executive who called his employees impatient because QUOTE: "it has ONLY been six months since they got paid". How many people can go two weeks without getting paid? There is always sellouts because they liked the game.

[krypt1983]

Ryse was a great game the story was solid gameplay and combat was solid, i look at ryse how i did the first arkham batman game, combat was stale because the set of moves was limited but it was a great framework for a franchise. Ryse 2 could of been amazing is they addressed then issues it could have been microsofts god of war. The crysis franchise was amazing the only multiplayer that sucked was 3 and it really didn't even suck you just don't split your multiplayer base when the audience for the game isn't that hugh. I honestly don't know where crytek went wrong they use to be a great company maybe they expanded too much too fast?

[Godmars290]

Pity then that when Crytek came onto the scene graphics were the only thing that mattered.

[dkp23]

Sjould of sold ryse ip to ms.

[LexHazard79]

You crazy.. Ryse 2 needs to happen por favor.

[mark_parch]

I recently downloaded ryse as it was free with gwg. the game is amazing, super fun gameplay, great story, amazing graphics and a surprisingly good multiplayer. I really really hope there's a sequel. the critics scores really hurt the game. if they had released a demo at launch I think it would have done much better. I think it's criminal how some critics scored it lower than 7.

[conanlifts]

Someone really needs to buy crytek. It would make sense for ms to do it, but i do not think they will.

[Puertorock77]

Why would buying a company that earns little money in games sales makes sense in buying?

[Eldyraen]

Because if crytek had better management and financial decision makers, they wouldn't be in the same position they are now (assumption on my part, but seems likely).

Plus it could give MS multiple new Dev teams at the same time. What they did with them
though is questionable as MS doesn't have the best track record with some of their pick ups/partners (Lionhead/Scalebound being some of the more recent high profile ones).

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Puertor- To flip the IP or to use the studio to create an FPS of an IP they own, ie Nintendo could use them for their own IPs, Metroid or even a new IP.

Think Smash Brothers, means Team Fortress 2, FPS game that has a bunch of Nintendo characters and classes, DK as a Heavy, Samus as assault class, Kid Icarus as Recon and Sniping, Peach as health etc

Don't think of a team as simply an IP, think of a team as a core group of developers that can create a game, doesn't need to be a game that "earns little money" as you are talking about a IP that failed, NOT about a team in general. Yes, their games as of late have sold poorly, well their team direction as been bad, doesn't mean the team is bad or that the team can't produce quality.

We've seen many teams in gaming go from "meh" to OMG very quickly.

Who knows what a great publisher can do with Crytek.

[TheUndertaker85]

Because the company is capable of producing games and has gaming products on the market proving their employees did something even with Crytek giving them this treatment. Further those same employees may be able to produce better results with a different engine and company.

[Puertorock77]

@_-EDMIX-_

And who's that great publisher? Microsoft? If that was the case what happened with Platinum Games with Scalebound. It doesn't make sense for any company to buy Crytek when the core developers that make up the studio don't develop games that are sell. I can see maybe buying a few talent here and there to build a new studio but to buy them as a whole is a waste.

They're known for graphics but as you can see it didn't help them in the long run. Crytek don't really make appealing games to the masses. Buying them would be a money pit.

[TheUndertaker85]

What you're comparing though just doesn't work. Under Crytek Cryengine is king but frankly Cryengine doesn't cut it. It's why they use it the way they do.
https://www.cryengine.com

The team seems to be competent with what they're using. Imagine what they could possibly do with a different, better engine. Crytek as a company can be swallowed.

[indyman7777]

Good question. I have a reason. Crytek has a GRAPHICS reputation. Microsoft is trying to make a comeback with a new machine that is good in......GRAPHICS. They have MARKETING that money can't buy built into their name that says cutting edge graphics.

I have a second reaons. Imagine HALO in Crytek graphics on Scorpio, or even Forza or a new IP many people have been calling for new IP's from Microsoft.

I have a third reason.
Look at Sony they have a division that helps many other internal divisions with graphics on games and it helps a LOT. Microsoft can do the same with Crytek.

[_-EDMIX-_]

https://www.rockpapershotgu...

Maybe Sega, I mean they already bought one of their studios.

[conanlifts]

That's possible. MS need more ips and a way to expand the number of games produced, which is why i mentioned them. But i do not think it likely that hey will buy them out. Sega are the most likely if it happens.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@sd11- Agreed. MS can use them for a AAA FPS, they can use them for Halo and let 343 do something else new, they can use them for Ryse etc. That team would be a smart buy, I don't know how much of the Crytek folk in Shanghai did on those IPs though, just a thought.

Sega could buy them based on already buying up one of their teams, who knows. Hope someone helps the out as I can see MS, Sega or even Nintendo needing a great FPS developer for future projects

[AizenSosuke]

Oh boy

[SaveFerris]

I hope the employees manage to find new jobs, but can they sue for the unpaid salaries?

[EatCrow]

This seems to be common in the industry...Bit of a shame.

[MilkMan]

So are these guys even making games?
I knew putting all their eggs in the Crysis basket was a deadly mistake.
Should have work on the game fans really wanted Time Splitters.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Huh?

Crysis 3 came out in 2013....

They have released Ryse, Robinson The Journey, The Climb etc.

Yes, they have not been that good as of late, but I don't recall them putting all their eggs in to just Crysis as that doesn't really make sense when you look at the facts.

[MilkMan]

The way I interpret their CV is Ryse was an attempt to "be first" and make a name for themselves. In a different genre and greater exposure. That didn't really pan out for them.
Robinson and The Journey is just more of the same. They are adapting the blue ocean business plan. Go where there is no competition and make a name for yourself.

If anything Crytek has demonstrated they are exceptional at being mediocre which in today's market, there is no room for.

[Pancit_Canton]

Microsoft should buy them.

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

I am not shocked that Crytek is struggling. The company hasn't released a AAA game since Ryse (which came out in 2013). Also, not many developers are using the Cry Engine, likely due to it's subpar efficiency. Plus, Crytek appears to no longer receive funding from MS and EA.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Agreed.

Far Cry was MUCH better after that team left.

Far Cry 2 is like basically the first game lol Very underrated game btw

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

Crytek wasn't involved in the production of Far Cry 2. After the release of the first Far Cry, Crytek sold the IP to Ubisoft and moved on to creating Crysis for EA.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Sciur-

Umm ok...lets do this again.

"Far Cry was MUCH better after that team left. "

"after that team left"

"left"

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

@EDMIX The whole company left Far Cry.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Lol yes.

That's why I said Far Cry was much better when that team left

the team I'm referring to is crytek and Far Cry the series.

I know that was my point in regards to Far Cry 2 being far superior than the first.

I know it was the whole company....

[InTheZoneAC]

Heard about this before. No way in hell someone works for a company without being paid, let alone for 6 months

[TheUndertaker85]

Some people take more pride in their work rather than their salaries, particularly in the gaming industry

[InTheZoneAC]

you must be in middle/high school

Pride in the work industry is everywhere, maybe except some/most retail/fast food, but there's a totally different thing going on if your company misses payment by a day or two versus months, trust me.

There's plenty of jobs in the games industry, don't think people are slaves to a single company.

[ShaunCameron]

But at the end of the day, if it ain't making dollars, it ain't making sense.

[TheUndertaker85]

I'm 31 years old. 85. Birthday listed on profile. Assumptions make an ass out of you and me. In this case mostly you as you assumed something that factually can be found. Then it's sad to justify an answer based on age unless you're talking about living through that era. Even then I fail to see how my understanding would be flawed based on age.

There's stories out there of the time Naughty Dog, Ubisoft, and other employers working their employees mass hours for what turns into a burden. Further those same employees while expressing dissatisfaction with the way they're worked typically want to finish at least that job.
http://gingearstudio.com/wh...
http://kotaku.com/sounds-li...

They do the job and finish. Then they get paid for the work they contribute. You're talking about the fast food industry with an hourly pay. Game developers may start on salary then further the work done is two different ballparks. You aren't putting in those long hours in a fast food place (legally).

As people further show above they very much are. In this case they're Crytek slaves. These individuals are having their performance and quality affiliated with the company and being wrote off. Being justified by the company they worked for. Resumes do exist in the gaming world.

I'll also state I'm a stay at home father with a side job as an independent contractor. Just because most are good about paying for a finished project doesn't mean they all pay up. Some want to haggle you down, some want to dispute your work, some just flat out don't want to pay for labor received. It's the nature of being a contractor. Then I don't get paid for being a father but doesn't stop the job from being important.

[aaronaton]

I'm going to be controversial and blame MS for some part of Crytek's demise. MS sold them the dream of the Xbox One, and how RISE could easily become a big franchise. Crytek pumped tons of money and resources into that seemingly forgotten game. They should of stuck to making Crysis on the PC, and Timesplitters 4 for the PS4.

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

Microsoft funded Ryse, and the title under-performed and was not critically well received. Crytek is known for making games with very high budgets, notable Ryse and Crysis 3, which were separately funded by MS and EA. Both Crysis 3 and Ryse under-performed, and weren't as well received as earlier Crytek titles. I certain EA owns Crysis, not Crytek. Cryteks falling out with big publishers, and their mismanagement of resources is the companies own fault.

[Elda]

Smh.

[hafitz]

Crytek is now in Crysis.

[KillBill]

Why would anyone work out of Shanghai? So many other places with less costly rental property.