[DEBUNKED] Crytek Spills Beans On Next Xbox (+ TimeSplitters 4)

[nCogNeato]

TimeSplitters 4 in development for next Xbox and PlayStation

Microsoft is gearing up to announce the successor to the Xbox 360 at E3 2012, and Crytek is already developing a new TimeSplitters game for the next generation of consoles, VideoGamer.com can reveal.

Specifications for the new machine have not been finalised, but Crytek is using Microsoft's DirectX 11 as the current basis for next-generation development. Tessellation, multithreaded rendering, and compute shaders are the three headlining features for DirectX 11.

The Crysis 2 developer says that Microsoft will announce the existence of a new Xbox within the next 12 months, hinting that an E3 2012 reveal is likely. Crytek believes that Microsoft will announce and launch its new machine ahead of rival Sony, though the developer is also investing resources into next-generation PlayStation development.

The information was detailed to VideoGamer.com by a high-ranking industry source at Crytek, who stated that TimeSplitters 4 is currently being demonstrated internally, is being built with CryEngine 3, and was being shown privately in video form at E3 2011.

Crytek UK, who produced the other three games in the series as Free Radical, is still handling the development.

Both Microsoft and Crytek declined to comment.

The source reports that the graphics on TimeSplitters 4 are noticeably improved over current generation technology, with the DX11 tessellation effects allegedly having a huge impact on the visuals. Crytek believes that the game - and CryEngine 3 itself - will be seen as the cornerstone of next-generation development.

Crytek has invested heavily in DirectX 11 development primarily to focus on the new consoles, with the upcoming DX11 patch for the PC version of Crysis 2 being used internally as a benchmark of anticipated hardware trends.

As for the game itself, the new TimeSplitters is reported to focus on the series' branching paths and exploratory nature, with sandbox-style gameplay elements a big priority. The current goal is for levels to feature multiple routes that lead to the same overall conclusion.

Speculation about TimeSplitters 4 has been running since 2007. Since its initial announcement the game was even pegged to be a Wii-exclusive before languishing in development hell and being put on hiatus in 2009.

What does this mean for Halo 4, then, which was stated as an Xbox 360 game during its E3 2011 reveal?

Crytek has also recently announced that the CryEngine will support Nintendo's upcoming Wii U hardware. "Crytek's support for Wii U is definitely going to happen," said CEO Cevat Yerli.

Younger gamers might not be aware of the TimeSplitters series. 2005's TimeSplitters: Future Perfect was the last game in the franchise, and 2000's TimeSplitters was a well-received PS2 launch title, but the highlight of the series is undeniably 2002's TimeSplitters 2.

Crytek snapped up Free Radical in 2009 after the studio was forced into administration following the lacklustre critical and commercial performance of its PS3-exclusive shooter Haze. The Nottingham-based studio was rebranded as Crytek UK.

[VideoGamer]

[sambo]

There have been lot's of rumours concerning a new Xbox lately, So I'm not surprised, I think a lot of people were maybe thinking Microsoft would announce something at E3 this year but I think they still wanted to push Kinect without people thinking of a new console, I think next year would be when they announce it for a 2013 Christmas release.

What does this mean for Halo 4, then, which was stated as an Xbox 360 game during its E3 2011 reveal?

I still think Halo 4 will come to the 360 for a 2012 release, Then Halo 5 will be released on the 'new' Xbox as a launch title.

[sambo]

Crysis studio Crytek has denied reports that it's already developing for the Xbox 360's successor.

Earlier this week, a "high-ranking" insider claimed the developer was working on Timesplitters 4 for the new machine, which Microsoft would probably unveil at E3 2012.

However, today Crytek handed a statement to IGN denying any knowledge of a new system from Microsoft.

"Relating to the recent rumours, Crytek do not have any next generation hardware from Microsoft, nor do we know when Microsoft may announce future hardware or what that hardware will entail," it read.

The studio also took the opportunity to reassure gamers that the promised DirectX 11 update for the PC version of Crysis 2 is imminent.

"Crytek are working at pushing the boundaries of what current technology can bring, including our focus on DX11 which will be released shortly as an update for Crysis 2, and we believe this work, added to our estimations of what the new hardware will provide, set up CryENGINE as a next generation engine for all consoles."

Last month, a rumour did the rounds that EA is already working with next-gen Xbox dev kits, while earlier this week Avalanche Studios announced it was about to start developing a new IP for the next round of consoles.

[nCogNeato]

[DEBUNKED]   

[zerosum]

Kinda like asking a jury to disregard a statement already made in a courtroom.....'Uh, can you un-hear that please?'