Crytek Will Develop the Sequel to Homefront Because Hey, a Job's a Job, Right?

Discovering that THQ and Crysis developer Crytek today announced a partnership wherein Crytek will hereby take over development duties on the next installment of the publisher's Homefront franchise might leave people with some mixed emotions. For some, cautious optimism may creep in, with the understanding that the original Homefront, while kind of a shoddy mess, did show occasional flashes of potential. For others, this is probably a little bit like learning that the Foo Fighters' next record will be a Limp Bizkit tribute album, or that Steven Spielberg is going to give the Twilight franchise a shot. Which is to say, a sort of bizarre, mildly fascinating situation that is, nonetheless, perhaps not the best use of the studio's time and creative efforts.

Regardless, here we are with a press release full of pre-approved niceties exchanged between THQ's EVP of Core Games (is that a real job?) Danny Bilson, and Cevat Yerli, Founder and CEO of Crytek. I'll save you the deluge of verbal bro-hugging contained in the release, and simply explain that Crytek's plan is to assign the sequel to its UK studio, the team formerly known as Free Radical Design. Crytek UK has long been rumored to be hard at work on a fourth Time Splitters game--even though Crytek has said previously the title was on indefinite hold. If that is actually the case, presumably this second Homefront title will be squeezed in somewhere in between that deal. The good news? They have plenty of time, as THQ doesn't expect the title to release until at least 2013.

At one point, THQ had pegged its own Montreal studio to take over the reins of the franchise after original developer Kaos Studios was shut down earlier this year. Evidently someone at THQ, sensing the potential behind the CryEngine (which will definitely be powering this latest sequel), scrapped that plan and opted to go with this deal instead. As for Crytek's motivations, we can all just go ahead and assume they were paid gobs and gobs of money. Seems reasonable, right?

Regardless of all of that, a Homefront sequel seemingly can't turn out any less interesting than the first game did, especially in the hands of Crytek and its mighty CryEngine. All I can think now when envisioning those dirty North Koreans savaging my hometown and murdering everyone I hold dear is how gorgeous it will all look.

Maybe it'll play better, too. That'd be great.

But who will buy it?

"The UK arm of a German developer"... Isn't Crytek a Croatian developer?

Best parts of the press release:

"We see Homefront as a really strong universe that has a lot of potential and that has been expertly created and marketed by THQ."

"Homefront’s unique setting and storyline captivated gamers the world over."

There is only one game called Homefront, right? Cause we're talking about two different games here.

Wait, i think the real news is that a new timesplitters game is being made

@n8: They're based in Frankfurt.

Wait... Time splitters 4 confirmed?

@n8 said:

"The UK arm of a German developer"... Isn't Crytek a Croatian developer?

Hell no.

Couldn't be any worse

maybe, the Homefront concept was actually not bad and it might actually be good from an established FPS dev.... But if the next Homefront game wont run on our PCs will anyone upgrade to play it? probably not.

@Tamaster92: Nah, that was my bad. I phrased the sentence wrong. They've been rumored to be working on TimeSplitters 4 ever since Crytek bought the company, but they haven't announced it yet.

Well, given Crysis 1, they do have experience making games where you kill Koreans.

Will be interesting to see how Crytek can expand a shooter to incorporate more mechanics and functions.

2014.Next gen graphics confirmed.

So TimeSplitters 4 - 2013 or 2016? xD

I usually don't mind your thread titles Alex, but that's just dumb.

The article was good, though.

Fuuuuuuuuuck, I want Timesplitters 4 so bad. Why do you have to do this to me Crytek?

@Jaegernaut said:

But who will buy it?

Everyone, seeing as the first one sold like a billion.

UK dev means NK gets to win, right?

God damn it Alex! I'm aching for timesplitters 4 so bad! Gears 3 has got me remembering the monkey gears logo!

@drhans said:

Best parts of the press release:

"We see Homefront as a really strong universe that has a lot of potential and that has been expertly created and marketed by THQ."

"Homefront’s unique setting and storyline captivated gamers the world over."

There is only one game called Homefront, right? Cause we're talking about two different games here.

I think they got it confused with Homeworld. That's going to be one awkward meeting....

I loved homeftont's multiplayer and really didn't care for crysis 2's. So this is shitty news IMO.

@n8 said:

"The UK arm of a German developer"... Isn't Crytek a Croatian developer?

That's Croteam, dawg.

@drhans said:

Best parts of the press release:

"We see Homefront as a really strong universe that has a lot of potential and that has been expertly created and marketed by THQ."

"Homefront’s unique setting and storyline captivated gamers the world over."

There is only one game called Homefront, right? Cause we're talking about two different games here.

I guess they're talking about the idea behind Homefront which is "be kind of like Call of Duty and rake in some of that falloff money".

Never really been a fan of Crytek's games, the tech is amazing, but the actual games have been middling. Hopefully with the time given, they'll be able to turn something out solid. Best of luck to them.

Can they save the franchise? maybe, probably not.

Relax, there's still plenty of time for them to make room in the bargain bins before Homefront 2 hits.

@n8 said:

"The UK arm of a German developer"... Isn't Crytek a Croatian developer?

You're confusing Crytek with Croteam, who are Croatian.

Crytek has put out some solid shooters over the years with above average stories, so I don't see how this can be considered anything but good news.

This is great news, weird and all, but Homefront was just wasted potential and, until they let me down, Crytek is one of few (like Valve and Rockstar) where if they are making it there is a pretty good chance I'm going to really like it.

I guess I could care less about Homefront but "Crytek making [insert anything]" is good news in my book. On the other hand I guess we're not really talking about the guys who made Far Cry and Crysis, we're more talking about Timesplitters and Haze guys, so I guess you can call my interest tentative.

Never change, Alex. Never. Change.

@Swoxx: From a financial standpoint it doesn't need saving. It sold like crazy for some reason. I rented it, it is mediocre at best, but it made THQ a ton of money. Hey maybe the sequel will get $45 worth of weapon skins to increase their profits!

@FuzzYLemoN said:

@Jaegernaut said:

But who will buy it?

Everyone, seeing as the first one sold like a billion.

Uh, where did you get that number? I remember hearing over and over earlier this year how Homefront did well out the gate and then had a major drop-off just shy of selling two-million copies, and that it ultimately didn't sell what THQ was hoping.

Well, it definitely could not be worse. Hopefully they manage to churn out a somewhat compelling game this time around.

This is cool. I enjoyed Homefront's multiplayer but the campaign was bad. Maybe they'll fix it.

Or maybe they'll make Timesplitters 4.

Well as long as its monkeys invading the US this time I'm happy.

@sixpin said:

@Swoxx: From a financial standpoint it doesn't need saving. It sold like crazy for some reason. I rented it, it is mediocre at best, but it made THQ a ton of money. Hey maybe the sequel will get $45 worth of weapon skins to increase their profits!

I did not know, crazy indeed.

They did have some kick ass marketing though

As much as I dislike Homefront when I finished it those many months ago, I am still curious how Crytek will handle the title, as the setting as stupid ludicrous as it was was still interesting.

I just hope to god they do a better way of explaining how a rag tag group of resistance fighters can keep America's advanced RC war vehicle under wraps for so damn long.

I knew Alex was writing this article just from the Headline/subtitle.

If they're lucky no one will notice that it's a sequel to Homefront...

Will this could be good for Homefront...

hiiiiilarious

@MoleyUK: Hahahaha nice one.

They should be working on another Time Splitters game not this.

I liked homefront quite a bit. It needed more polish and better story, but I love the premise. The multiplayer was pretty fun also, but needed more to it. I welcome this news.

I'm cool with this.

I'm still bummed that Homefront didn't turn out. Great concept and (evidently) poor execution.

It's worth a shot to make a game worthy of the concept.

Sounds like it could be alright; I thought Homefront was a good game just waiting to happen.

I want Timesplitters 4, Homefront can fuck off.

Crytek the masters of unrealistic demands for consoles, blaming pc piracy for ruining them as they expand to multiple studios and average games.
 
I don't really care anymore.

If fucking Homefront is going to keep us from getting Timesplitters 4, I am going to be seriously pissed.