Following the closure of Homefront developer Kaos Studio, publisher THQ has announced that Crysis creator Crytek will be developing the sequel to the shooter.
The sequel to Homefront, which hasn’t been given a name yet (reports are suggesting the title won’t be called Homefront 2), will release during financial year 2014. That means the sequel will launch between April, 2013 to March, 2014. The game was announced for consoles and PC.
THQ’s EVP of core games, Danny Bilson, said on the announcement:
With Crytek’s industry leading technology and legendary experience in the FPS genre, we’re supremely confident that the next Homefront will deliver that AAA-quality experience that players demand. 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 AAA-quality experience that players demand.
Crytek boss Cevat Yerli, meanwhile, had this to say:
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.
It was previously unclear which Crytek studio is developing the game, but the company confirmed to Eurogamer that Crytek UK – previously known as Free Radical – are responsible for the Homefront sequel. The game will “benefit from the latest CryEngine technology”, too. Crytek UK are known for PlayStation 3 exclusive Haze, the TimeSplitters series and the multiplayer component for Crysis 2.
Despite releasing to a mixed critical reception, Homefront became a commercial success selling over one million copies during its launch week. Additionally, it has shipped 2.4 million units to date. The commercial performance is largely due to the heavy marketing push THQ established for the game, with the company going as far as displaying a massive banner in the heart of New York City. Homefront is also the most pre-ordered title in THQ’s history.
Perhaps by 2014 we’ll have forgotten how bad the original game was.
