Crytek’s free-to-play shooter leaves its mark with industry experts

Cologne (Germany) August 24, 2012 – Crytek’s free-to-play shooter, Warface^®, yesterday received the 2012 gamescom award for Best Social/Casual/Online Game. The award, determined by an independent panel of international judges, was one of just seven official gamescom awards given out to pay homage to the best games and products premiered at the show.

“We’re excited that Warface has been recognised with this award,” said Cevat Yerli, CEO and founder of Crytek. “At its core, Warface is a new social first-person shooter experience that invites players and their friends of all levels to come together and discover Crytek quality for free. This award underlines what we saw on the show floor in Cologne; that Warface is being viewed favorably by everyone looking for something new in online multiplayer gaming.”

Scheduled to enter its Beta testing phase in Europe and North America this Fall, Warface will be accessed via social hub GFACE at launch, providing players with exciting new ways to interact as they discover the PC game’s challenging competitive and co-operative online multiplayer modes. Find out more about Warface at the game’s official website, and check out the GFACE website to read up on what else the free-to-play portal has in store.

Further strengthening their links to the Asian market, Crytek GmbH today announced the addition of Crytek Shanghai Software Co. Ltd to their family of studios worldwide.

Crytek Shanghai Software Co. Ltd will take responsibility for matters relating to Crytek’s proprietary CryENGINE® technology, taking advantage of their strategic location to provide first class support to existing licensees, build strong relationships with new partners and develop specific technical features relevant for users in the Asian market. Crytek’s Shanghai office will also play an active part in the regional operation of Crytek’s free-to-play online shooter, Warface, working closely with Chinese publishing partner, Tencent.

“A permanent presence in Shanghai paves the way for an even closer working relationship with partners across China,” said Areil Cai, General Manager  of Crytek Shanghai Software Co. Ltd. “As well as being more sensitive to the needs of the Chinese market – so that we  can be on hand to provide the best possible local-language support and even add more tech features for existing CryENGINE^® licensees – we will also be well placed to engage with new partners and build strong relationships for the future.”

Interactive entertainment pioneers, Crytek GmbH, will this week invite players to share in the future of free-to-play gaming, see more of the highly-anticipated Crysis 3 and discover the latest advancements to their proprietary CryENGINE^® technology as they attend both Game Developers Conference Europe and gamescom in Cologne, Germany, from August 13-19.

During the events, which bring together video game press and players from around the world, Crytek will invite attendees to go hands-on with Warface, their AAA free-to-play shooter which will be co-published with leading premium online games company, Trion Worlds. Players can sign up to be a part of the Warface action when it enters its Beta testing phase this Fall. Gamescom attendees will also be able to try the game first-hand in a stunning arena modeled after a life-size Chinook helicopter. (Hall 7, #C-020)

Also on show this year will be the next breathtaking installment in Crytek’s Crysis series. Players will be able to go hands-on with Crysis 3 for the first time by paying a visit to EA’s booth (Hall 6.1, #A-080). GDCE attendees can also get to grips with the game before anyone else at the GDC Expo (Booth #159).

Hosted in the scenic city of Cologne, Germany, gamescom is the largest event in the European games industry’s calendar and brings together developers, press and fans for five days of undiluted gaming goodness.

This year’s show runs from 15-19^th August, and Crytek will be in attendance to let players go hands-on with upcoming titles and see more of how CryENGINE® 3 is helping to shape the future of the industry.

One very special aspect of Crytek’s attendance at the show will be our unmissable Warface booth. Currently being erected in Hall 7 of the exhibition centre, the booth will take the form of a scale model Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter that accommodates players as they try their hand at our stunning free-to-play FPS. The work of NA+1, the helicopter has been in production for several weeks and is now just a few days away from being put to work! As you can see from the snapshot below, things are starting to come together already!