Crytek Adding Linux Support For CryEngine
Linux users have long championed their platform of choice as a viable option for gaming, and with solutions like WINE having been around for quite some time, playing games on a Linux box is certainly nothing new. However, there's been a recent push to promote the open source platform as a gaming powerhouse, especially by Valve with its Steam OS and Steam Machines initiative. On top of that, now we've learned that Crytek will offer native Linux support for its CryEngine game engine.
"During presentations and hands-on demos at Crytek's GDC booth, attendees can see for the first time ever full native Linux support in the new CryEngine," Crytek announced in a blog post. "The CryEngine all-in-one game engine is also updated with the innovative features used to recreate the stunning Roman Empire seen in Ryse – including the brand new Physically Based Shading render pipeline, which uses real-world physics simulation to create amazingly realistic lighting and materials in CryEngine games."
Be careful not to assume that existing Crysis titles will be reworked to run natively on Linux. This is a brand new engine Crytek is talking about, and rather than look backwards at CryEngine 3, this is a play for the future,
What's also interesting about this announcement is that it could lead to other developers pledging native support for Linux, which has been gaining momentum lately. Obviously Valve is on board with the Linux movement, but DICE has also shown interest.
"We strongly want to get into Linux for a reason," Lars Gustavsson, the Creative Director of DICE, said last year. Gustavsson also said he believes Linux is just one "killer" game away from bowling its way into the mainstream market.
"During presentations and hands-on demos at Crytek's GDC booth, attendees can see for the first time ever full native Linux support in the new CryEngine," Crytek announced in a blog post. "The CryEngine all-in-one game engine is also updated with the innovative features used to recreate the stunning Roman Empire seen in Ryse – including the brand new Physically Based Shading render pipeline, which uses real-world physics simulation to create amazingly realistic lighting and materials in CryEngine games."
Be careful not to assume that existing Crysis titles will be reworked to run natively on Linux. This is a brand new engine Crytek is talking about, and rather than look backwards at CryEngine 3, this is a play for the future,
What's also interesting about this announcement is that it could lead to other developers pledging native support for Linux, which has been gaining momentum lately. Obviously Valve is on board with the Linux movement, but DICE has also shown interest.
"We strongly want to get into Linux for a reason," Lars Gustavsson, the Creative Director of DICE, said last year. Gustavsson also said he believes Linux is just one "killer" game away from bowling its way into the mainstream market.
