Hunt: Showdown is getting one of many rarest issues a game can get: an engine improve
On: March 4, 2023
Hunt Showdown is presently celebrating its five-year anniversary with a giant sale and a brand new DLC hunter. Whereas there’s a lot to look again on, Crytek’s eyes are mounted on the longer term with plans to update Hunt from an growing old 5.6 legacy model of CryEngine to the newest 5.11 construct.
“The game presently runs on a legacy model of CryEngine from 4 years in the past,” David Fifield, basic supervisor at Crytek, defined to PC Gamer. “So one in all our main speaking factors throughout 2023 is gonna be about updating to the newest 5.11 model of CryEngine which is 4 years newer.”
Upgrading an engine from one decimal to a barely larger decimal would not sound like a big change, however it’s a a lot bigger enterprise than updating the firmware in your telephone. It is exceedingly uncommon for a years-old game with a longtime improvement pipeline to switch the bottom on which it sits—it is the game dev equal of swapping out your automobile’s chassis for a brand new one which’s theoretically higher, however may introduce new issues. Final 12 months, Epic transitioned Fortnite to Unreal Engine 5 with spectacular outcomes.
Ideally, the 5.11 Hunt update will convey enhancements to the game’s already excellent graphics, but in addition guarantees to convey gameplay enhancements (although Crytek didn’t provide any examples).
“It’s gonna be a protracted technical street, so individuals should not count on it quickly however it’s a factor that is underway. As we go and as we hit significant milestones of readiness, we’ll speak increasingly about what it means to take the game from CryEngine 5.6 as much as CryEngine 5.11,” mentioned Fifield.
Whereas this massive update is some time away, gamers can nonetheless count on loads of different updates together with an overhaul of its onboarding instruments for brand new gamers. “We’re working in bettering the tutorial and having a extra scripted tutorial with extra explanations and what we’d say is simply higher instructing than the prevailing coaching missions.”
Crytek’s mission to preserve Hunt: Showdown technologically related suggests a renewed dedication to its cowboy extraction shooter within the years to return. We most likely would not be listening to about engine upgrades if, for example, there was a Hunt 2 in improvement or Crytek had been winding down on updates. Which is smart for the workforce, with Fifield talking about year-on-year development for the game’s participant base. “We’re curious to see how excessive can the inhabitants, the engagement and all that stuff go.” Final month’s Satan’s Moon occasion, which amongst many issues, set total maps on hearth, demonstrated Crytek’s willingness to tweak Hunt’s fundamentals and preserve gamers on their toes.
For extra on Hunt: Showdown, we not too long ago sat down with Crytek to speak in regards to the anniversary, where Hunt is now, and where it is entering into 2023.
