THQ has confirmed that development of the sequel to its multiplatform shooter Homefront have been passed to Crysis developer Crytek.
The news comes as a huge surprise after THQ's closure of New York-based Homefront developer Kaos Studios. At the time, the publisher said the franchise would be passed to its Montreal studio, headed by Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets.
THQ's executive vice president of core games, Danny Bilson, said: "Selecting Crytek to take Homefront forward underscores our strategy of working with the industry's best talent. Homefront's unique setting and storyline captivated gamers the world over.
"With Crytek's industry-leading technology and legendary experience in the FPS genre, we're supremely confident that the next Homefront will deliver that triple-A quality experience that players demand."
Cevat Yerli, CEO and president of Crytek, added: "We see Homefront as a really strong universe that has a lot of potential and that has been expertly created and marketed by THQ.
"We believe that bringing our level of quality, creativity and production values to the next Homefront title creates an opportunity for both THQ and Crytek to deliver a truly blockbuster game.
"It's really important to us that THQ has the faith in giving us a lot of creative freedom over one of its most important properties to allow us to bring the Homefront world to life in a new and innovative way."
Despite THQ saying it was "delighted" with its day-one sales of 375,000 - it passed a million units within ten days of release - Homefront endured a troubled launch. Its multiplayer component, an essential requirement for modern shooters to succeed, was beset with issues.
Crytek's involvement should mean a sequel of higher quality than the original. Bilson was moved to defend the game's middling review scores, saying "you can't apply math to art," but soon after the publisher reported losses of $136 million. Shortly afterwards, it closed developer Kaos Studios.
The sequel, however, is still some way off, with THQ saying it will be released in fiscal year 2014.
Comments
2The MP component of crysis2 is a long way off being perfect. (The article suggests this is why Kaos Studios were closed/not deemed worthy to create the sequel.) I'm not defending the game - looked like a generic 80s fight the commies effort, but it's a bit of an insult to Kaos to pass the IP over to Crytek on the basis stated above. I hate the fact that no dev studio can afford even one perceived 'dud' (1m+ units - I ask you!).
Crysis 2 was a sorry excuse for a game. It looked the business, but just didn't have any other redeeming features. As you pointed out Leafmulch, the MP was pretty much broken from the off and never fixed. Homefront 1 looked very generic. I see no reason to get excited by the prospect of a sequel.