Notice anything odd about the video? The Crytek visuals look like the original Oblivion graphics. That’s what you download tech demo video from YouTube. FYI: The video was created by a modder who transferred the Oblivion assets straight into Crytek’s engine.

Interestingly, it looks like CryEngine is having some difficulty rendering a level the size of the Imperial City. Textures and other details pop in abruptly as if it were Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction for the PS2. One torch light seemed to appear suddenly when the camera is already too close (move the video to 3:23).

For what it’s worth, I’m positive that the video would look breathtaking when recorded in better detail. I can only imagine what the Imperial City would look like with real-time lighting. Now if only Fallout 3 would use the same game engine.

Update: YouTube took out the video, unfortunately. This is probably due to copyright issues with either games. Fortunately, a GameTrailers user was able to snag a copy of the video. Enjoy.

Source: Kotaku

Post from: EveryJoe

See Oblivion rendered in the CryEngine

Whether Crysis is really selling well or not, is up for discussion. What’s undeniable is the recent buzz that Crytek’s resource hog game is mentioned in—a console port. Sure, Crytek may huff all they want that the “current-gen” consoles can’t handle Crysis, but you can’t deny that porting them over to the Xbox 360 and the PS3 would bring in better sales.

What you’re seeing is a screenshot of an Austrian retail Web site revealing that an Xbox 360 version is coming on November 20, 2008.

Strangely, there’s no listing for a PS3 version in said Web site. Then again, if there’s anyone we should listen to, it should be Crytek. To date, the company hasn’t commented on this news, but if you look closely at their Web site’s job section, you’ll observe that they’re looking for a PS3 programmer.

The Austrian retailer could be correct. However, it’s hard to discount what’s implied by Crytek’s site.

Here’s my theory: Crysis already has a 360 programmer in their ranks, and they could be working on the port as I type this—thus the November ’08 release date. There’s a chance the PS3 version would come later since they still don’t have a PS3 programmer, unless it’s an old advertisement.

Whatever the case, I’m sure that Crytek is up to something. Let the speculations commence.

Post from: EveryJoe

Rumor: Crysis is going to the 360?

Remember that bit about Crysis needing DirectX 10 (and Windows Vista) so that you can view all the eye candy in their gorgeous glory? Well, forget I ever mentioned it.

Some geniuses at the Crysis-Online forums have just discovered that by simply copying and pasting a line in Crysis’ configuration file, you can now enable the supposed DirectX 10-exclusive features even if you’re using Windows XP.

We’d like to thank everyone who shared this knowledge and figuratively stuck it to the Man.

What does this development imply? How about this: Crytek took out the “very high” settings so that we would buy Vista. No rocket science needed for that one.

I just hope the retail version of Crysis won’t include a “fix” that would prevent us from doing so.

Post from: EveryJoe

Crap-Detector: Crysis is prettier in DirectX 10

Nvidia’s GeForce 8800 GT video card is hitting store shelves today. If you’re desperate to run Crysis, all you have to do is shell out from $199 to $249. With all the upcoming games for the PC (i.e. Hellgate: London and Gears of War), you’ll likely need the upgrade.

What’s under the proverbial hood, you ask? According to the hype people, their new money trap product comes with 112 stream processors, a 256-bit memory interface, and HD technology. The 8800 GT was created using the 65nm process.

Cevat Yerli, the big cheese at Crytek, believes that the 8800 GT is the “perfect card” for Crysis. With the card, you’ll be able to max out the resolution, Yerli says. Would you really appreciate the teensy details when your enemies are pumping you full of lead and you’re running for your virtual life? Perhaps not, but at least you can put in all that eye candy.

Here are more nerdcore details: The card’s 112 stream processors are individually clocked at 1. 5GHz, the 256-bit memory interface runs at 900MHz, and more importantly, this piece of hardware is designed for the new PCI Express 2.0.

But wait! I’m using the first PCIe! Fear not, the card is backward-compatible with 1.0. However, there’s a catch: I believe you’ll have to get a motherboard that supports PCIe 2.0 before you can enjoy the complete benefits of the 8800 GT.

If your board uses the ancient AGP, don’t bother. Get a new PC.

The new card also lets you run HD DVD and Blu-ray movies on your computer. You just have to pair it with a drive that runs one or both standards. More expenses down that alley.

My take? Nvidia’s new card may be able to let you run those spiffy shooters that I’ve been drooling for, but you’ve got to be ready with the dough. Even if you think you can afford the card, there are other factors to consider: Sony is releasing the 40GB Playstation 3 at $399 and the Xbox 360 now has a $279.99 arcade version.

These consoles may be worth more than the card, but that’s just it–they’re consoles. The 8800 GT is just a video card, so that means you’ll need the rest of the PC.

I would rather buy any of those consoles. Just think: freedom from those pesky system requirements! However, if you hate playing shooters on controllers, it’s another matter altogether. In any case, you’ll be able to play Crysis and Gears with all the purdy details turned on.

Post from: EveryJoe

New GeForce card can make new shooters look really sweet

Unfortunately, the PC gamers won’t be able to get a taste of Crysis on said date. According to CVG, the demo will be available on October 26 instead. Why the delay?

Crytek and EA reasoned that they’re “taking some extra time to make sure you that you have an amazing experience but also we did not want to risk the release date of Crysis at this stage.”

Let me get this straight: the demo was delayed so that the game’s launch would be in time?

Hooey.

The real reason is the release of Halo 3, and we all know it. Their beloved resource hog shooter won’t get any attention this week if they decide to push the demo on September 25 because everybody is playing Halo 3.

The upside in all this? Crytek has revealed what that “huge surprise” was. Apparently, it’s the CryENGINE 2’s Sandbox 2 game editor. Hey, Far Cry had one, right? Boy, we didn’t see that one coming.

Read

Post from: EveryJoe

Shit-detector: Crysis demo is delayed to meet launch date

September 25 will be an important day in 2007 gaming. Aside from the release of Halo 3 on the Xbox 360, the day also marks the arrival of the Crysis demo on the PC. Getting the demo will answer the single most important question that PC gamers are wondering.

“Can my rig run Crysis?”

You probably know the answer already because we’ve already given you the system requirements, but maybe you’re still in denial because you’re itching to play this shooter but the hardware needed is just insane.

If you must know, what’s in store for us is the game’s first level. There’ll also be a “huge surprise” from Crytek, whatever that is. Maybe the “huge surprise” is the size of the demo. Instead of downloading a 2GB behemoth, perhaps it’s just 600MB. Or maybe the minimum requirements have been readjusted that even a 486 can run the game.

Now that’s wishful thinking.

Read

Post from: EveryJoe

Crysis demo is coming next month

Crisis is coming! Crytek and EA announced that Crysis will be hitting retail stores in North America and Europe on November 16 exclusively for the PC. Online retailers say the game has a tag of $49.99, but expect to spend more if you want to run this game with all the purdy effects.

Crysis uses DirectX 10 and DirectX 9 visuals, and is said to be scalable so that lower-end (i.e. current) PCs would be able to run the game.

According to Crysis Online, the following specifications are Crysis’ estimated minimum requirements:

CPU: Athlon 64 3000+/Intel 2.8GHz
Graphics: Nvidia 6600 or ATI X1600 – Shader Model 2.0
RAM: 1GB
HDD: 6GB
Internet: 256k+
Optical Drive: DVD
Software: DX9 with Windows XP / Vista

Take note that these figures aren’t official. However, it will give you an official headache. If you think that’s bad, wait till you see the recommended specs:

CPU: Dual-Core CPU (Athlon X2 / Pentium D / Core 2 Duo)
Graphics: Nvidia 7800GT or ATI X1800XL Pro (SM 3.0)
RAM: 1.5GB+
HDD: 6GB
Internet: 512k+ (128k+ upstream)
Optical Drive: DVD
Software: DX9 with Windows XP / Vista

You mean to say all we need all this hardware just to see a character’s facial pores up close? If he or she has zits or not?

Can your current PC handle Crysis? Do these specifications look scalable to you? We’d like to know who can run the game in the recommended hardware so that we’d all turn green with envy.

Post from: EveryJoe

EA sets release date for Crysis