Update:
Crytek released a statement to Games Industry following Deep Silver’s announcement, confirming that the Homefront team at Crytek Nottingham would transfer to Koch Media and Crytek USA will be restructured:
Firstly, Crytek has been in extensive discussions with leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products, Koch Media, regarding the acquisition of rights for the “Homefront” IP. On completion of the proposed acquisition, the Homefront team from Crytek’s Nottingham studio would transfer their talents to Koch Media in compliance with English law and continue their hard work on upcoming shooter, “Homefront: The Revolution”. Both parties hope to finalize and implement a deal soon.
The internal restructuring will also see the development of Crytek IP, “HUNT: Horrors of the Gilded Age”, transferred from their studio in Austin, USA to Frankfurt. Crytek will retain a presence in Austin, with several staff members maintaining the CryEngine support team to assist North American licensees. Employees who are not set to be part of that support team will be invited to apply for new positions at Crytek in Germany.
Cevat Yerli, Crytek Founder and CEO, said:
As we look to cement Crytek’s future, this strategic deal with Koch Media would allow us to continue with our ambitious goals to become an online publisher. With Warface, Arena of Fate and HUNT, we believe we have the perfect portfolio and teams to make that happen. We would like to thank all our staff – past and present – in both Nottingham and Austin for their contributions to the company, and we wish all the very best to anyone who may no longer be under the Crytek banner moving forward.
He added: “Crytek’s studios in Budapest, Istanbul, Kiev and Sofia will continue to operate as usual. A closer collaboration between Crytek’s studios in Shanghai and Seoul is under review.”
Original Story:
With Crytek undergoing major changes as they evolve “from a development studio to an Online-Publisher,” Deep Silver has announced the acquisition of the Homefront IP and all its assets, including Homefront: The Revolution (Deep Silver was previously a co-publisher with Crytek).
Originally in development at Crytek Nottingham, Deep Silver will be moving production of Homefront: The Revolution to the newly founded, Nottingham-based Dambuster Studios, which joins Deep Silver Volition and Deep Silver Fishlabs as Deep Silver’s third development studio.
According to Eurogamer, Dambuster is a re-purposed Crytek UK, with staff at Crytek UK, Crytek’s headquarters in Frankfurt and Germany, and at other studios finally getting paid. CVG then reports that Dambuster was formed earlier this month by former members of the Crytek UK team, including project lead Hasit Zala.
Dr. Klemens Kundratitz, CEO of Deep Silver parent company Koch Media, addressed the acquisition news:
We are thrilled to see another great IP joining the Deep Silver universe. We strongly believe in the potential of Homefront: The Revolution and trust in the new team to continue the path they have been walking in the last years.
Deep Silver didn’t mention if this changeover would affect the development schedule of Homefront: The Revolution, so it appears as though the game will still release in 2015.
