Developer Crytek recently unveiled CryEngine 5, the latest evolution of its proprietary game engine, and with it the introduction of the engine’s pay-what-you-want business model.
Indeed, CryEngine 5 will be made available to prospective developers for as little as $0.01. There will be no royalties or additional service charges, Crytek said in an announcement, and users who do pay more for the engine can dedicate up to 70 percent of their contribution to Crytek’s Indie Development Fund, which provides grants to independent developers.
“CRYENGINE V represents our commitment to not only offering developers today’s most advanced engine technology, but also to making it as accessible as possible,” said Cevat Yerli, Crytek’s CEO, founder and president. Yerli also noted the addition of the CryEngine Marketplace, which allows developers to easily filter and access individual assets.
Here is a summary of the new features introduced in CryEngine 5:
- C# API scripting
- GPU-boosting renderer
- DirectX 12 support
- VR-optimized cloud rendering
- Improved particle effect system
- Improved launcher and UI
- FMOD support
- CryEngine Answers, a dedicated hub for development questions and answers
To commemorate CryEngine 5’s new business model, Humble Bundle is currently hosting a CryEngine bundle featuring assets and effects from the engine. Any donation will get you a military rifle starter kit and a handful of environment effects, and $13 or more will add in asset kits for animals, weapons, vehicles, cities and plenty more.
Source: Crytek
