Last month, we told you that the ailing graphics-over-gameplay developer and engine creator Crytek was saved by a mysterious licencing deal. “It was a huge one, probably the biggest one,” Crytek co-founder Faruk Yerli said in mid-March. “I can’t say anything more in detail, but hopefully we’ll be able to announce it with the partner soon.”
They’ve not yet announced anything, but according to sources the company that’s saved Crytek’s bacon is not, as Alessandro surmised, one of the big three game publishers. Instead, it’s Amazon – which should be at all surprising with the company’s recent pushes in to gaming.
According to Kotaku and its four independent ninja sources, Amazon has licenced Crytek’s proprietary CryEngine, for somewhere between $50 million and $70 million, which is great news for staff, I’d imagine, as the company’s been unable to pay its workforce on time. Sources seem to believe that Amazon will be using CryEngine as the base for their own engine.
It’s yet another indication that the shipping and media giant has great big plans in the world of video games. Last year, they released their own Android-based Microconsole, the Amazon Fire, but that’s hardly had any impact. They have, however, been snapping up developers, hiring Portal Developer Kim Swift and former Ubisoft staffer, Far Cry 2 designer Clint Hocking for secret projects that we’ve heard nothing about. Amazon also bought up Strider reboot and Killer Instinct developer Double Helix as an internal studio, and we’ve yet to see any output from them. Amazon’s also purchased Twitch, the premier video content provider when it comes to gaming-related media and streaming.
Amazon has grander ambitions for games – and the capital to make a significant dent in the market. Could your next console be an Amazon one?
Last Updated: April 7, 2015
Sgt. M
April 7, 2015 at 08:36
“Could your next console be an Amazon one?”
The D
April 7, 2015 at 08:38
The spirit is willing, but the body is bruised and spongy.
Hammersteyn
April 7, 2015 at 08:40
Death by SNU-SNU!
Sgt. M
April 7, 2015 at 08:43
Man this episode!!
Hammersteyn
April 7, 2015 at 08:53
Yes!
Dutch Matrix
April 7, 2015 at 09:14
http://i.imgur.com/yrBT2UU.gif
Umar
April 7, 2015 at 08:37
Whenever I hear the name Double Helix I cringe. I know they did some good stuff with Strider and KI but they RUINED…and I say RUINED two of my beloved franchises. Front Mission and Silent Hill.
Geoffrey Tim
April 7, 2015 at 08:49
Yeah….they really did good work with Strider and Ki though…much to my surprise.
Umar
April 7, 2015 at 08:51
Lol yeah, they had a horrible track record. I haven’t played KI though but Strider was actually really good..So I ain’t too mad at them…Still…Homecoming was trash. Absolute trash.
WitWolfy
April 7, 2015 at 08:50
Color me curious… I have a feeling this game is going to be a MS exclusive eventually…
Dutch Matrix
April 7, 2015 at 09:07
“Commander! Before you can start your quest, you will need to retrieve the Kinectic Independant News DownLoad Emitter from that bunker over there! Otherwise you cannot track quest thingy’s!”
“But damnit man! There are a hundred Geth enemies between me and that uhhh K.I.N.D.L.E. And all I got is this butter knife that was delivered to me in 24 hours since placing my order! Hardly seems fair to the Geth. Can we not just use an Amazon drone?”
“Sorry Sir! But the government has halted all drones. And we… Sir! Where are you going?”
“I have a high enough Paragon score. I am going to stoically charm the pants off that female senator to authorise drone usage. That way, we can save all those Geth the trouble of dying!”
Greylingad
April 7, 2015 at 09:09
That must be such a big punch to the groin bone though… “Hey we’ll buy you guys out… To work on a console that was originally developed for ant sized lounges, also, your maximum resolution will be 320 x 240….”
Dutch Matrix
April 7, 2015 at 09:10
Oh but it will be the most gorgeous 320 x 240 you will lay eyes on!
Greylingad
April 7, 2015 at 09:12
Hahaha! with a microscope that is!, but agreed, they have managed to always provide us with the most beautiful graphics the world had ever seen, from wild bushy exteriors to shiny metal and yet squishy aliens….
BurnZ
April 7, 2015 at 09:23
Amazon fire??
Jonah Cash
April 7, 2015 at 14:25
If Pieter was here he would change his SamsungStation to an AmazonStation right now!! Because you know Sony is broke and all that…