Crysis 4 ‘On Hold’ as Developer Crytek Announces Layoffs Affecting Up to 60 Staff

Crytek, the renowned game developer behind the Crysis series and Hunt: Showdown, has announced a difficult decision: 60 employees, approximately 15% of its 400-person workforce, will be laid off. This restructuring, according to Crytek founder Avni Yerli, is a direct response to challenging market conditions impacting the gaming industry.

While Hunt: Showdown continues to grow, the company determined that its current operational structure isn't financially sustainable. Despite previous cost-cutting measures and the decision to put Crysis 4 on hold in late 2024, layoffs were deemed unavoidable. The affected employees, spanning development teams and shared services, will receive severance packages and career assistance.

Yerli's full statement emphasizes Crytek's commitment to the future, highlighting Hunt: Showdown’s continued success and the ongoing development of the CRYENGINE. The company remains dedicated to supporting and expanding Hunt: Showdown, asserting its position as a strong gaming service.

The news follows the previously unannounced and subsequently canceled Crysis Next, a battle royale-inspired project that briefly surfaced online in early gameplay footage. This project was ultimately scrapped in favor of Crysis 4, which was announced in January 2022 but has since been put on hold.

The Crysis series, a first-person shooter franchise known for its stunning visuals and iconic nanosuit technology, holds a significant place in gaming history. The original Crysis (2007) became a PC benchmark, famously spawning the phrase "But can it run Crysis?" The last mainline entry, Crysis 3, launched in February 2013, with remasters of earlier titles released in recent years. News regarding Crysis 4 has been scarce since its initial announcement three years ago.