Crytek, the studio behind FarCry and Crysis looks to be in serious trouble. According to an employee, the studio has paid their staff for six months without any clarification on the issue. If Crytek's issues with salary continue, expect the company to shut down unless a miracle happens and someone buys the studio. Microsoft could be possibility of saving the company.
The employee posted on reddit his grievances with the studio and is seeking for some legal advice regarding the matter. According to the employee, this is the longest the staff from Crytek have gone without pay. The frustrated employee is unsure whether the management is being paid or informed about the situation while the rest of the staff have been left in the dark. They were told that the wages will be paid soon but will always be delayed. The post also mentions that the salary affects all of Crytek's offices. Microsoft is in need of a first party developer and Crytek could fit the bill.
This isn't the first time Crytek had issues with their employees. Back in 2014, Crytek delayed their salary payment to keep the company afloat. The company was saved when they received funds from an unnamed benefactor. After that though, Crytek had to downsize the company from 900 to 700 employees and closed the US and UK offices. The closure also caused the cancellation of Ryse 2, the sequel to Xbox One launch game Ryse: Son of Rome. So it's safe to assume that the unnamed benefactor has stopped funding the studio which would explain the recent salary problems. But Microsoft could be the next benefactor if they are willing to do so.
Although Crytek hasn't released a hit game since Crysis 3, the CryEngine is an asset that makes them a valuable studio. Using the CryEngine, Crytek has produced the most technically demanding games that are universally praised for its graphics. Games that have been released years ago, are still being used to test benchmarks of recent graphic cards. Microsoft is developing the Xbox Scorpio that is said to be the most powerful. If Microsoft buys Crytek and gains access to their CryEngine, then that partnership would help both causes. Microsoft gains a new first party developer with a powerful engine that Microsoft can develop games with. While Crytek lives to fight for a another day. It's a win win situation for both Microsoft and Crytek.
