Environment Art throwback: Canceled CryEngine 2 Project

Screenshots of a promising, but ultimately canceled project

I was going through some old screenshots, looking for material for an upcoming Youtube video, and found something a bit fascinating.

Back in 2011, right around the same time that the studio I was working for closed down, I joined up some old friends from the modding community to work on a pitch for a game on CryEngine.

They were about to start a new studio and were in the process of securing funding. I don’t remember the details, but if my memory is right, Crytek graciously allowed us access to the SDK of the new CryEngine (which wasn’t out publically yet).

This project was a huge learning experience for me, because it was my first contact with a proper real-time dynamic lighting environment, and also a test ground to test a lot of new techniques. At the time I was playing Fallout 3 heavily, and I’m sure you can feel the influence here :)

The following screenshots represent the combination of team work. While I created most of the environment architecture and props in the following screens, I was working closely with the level designer, who was responsible for terrain, building placement, etc…

Without further ado, here are some screenshots in chronological order:

Very first test, just getting used the engine trying to get a feel for tools and workflows.

First textures I made for the project. They scream of Crazybump :P

This is quite embarrassing, but it was probably my very first rock sculpt ever :P

First blockout ingame.

First building. No modularity, just a unique model.

Inside the shack. Looking back in retrospect CryEngine’s realtime GI was much better than I remembered!

Getting a feel for what the area could be.

A second shack.

The shack in 3ds max. Using vertex colors to colorize each metal sheet slightly.

Another shack.

The map was starting to have some personality.

Some wireframes if you are curious.

Shack interior. Really enjoying the lighting here.

Another embarrassing attempt at sculpting a terrain texture.

Mud material ingame.

Some grass models.

First grass attempt. Looks pretty poopy!

I love this shot. Here’s where the idea for the map really started to take place. The storm in the background contrasts nicely with the sunny tropical setting.

I think at this point, we decided to try an urban environment. Here are some modularity tests, heavily inspired by Fallout 3 (a game I was playing heavily at the time)

Checking the drawcalls and perf.

Another embarrassing material.

At this point, we shifted back to the Jamaica map. We started the layout from scratch, and also changed the theme a bit too, to include colonial buildings.

Building blockouts.

Some modular pieces.

Wood texture.

Starting to get a good feel for the buildings.

First time using a blend shader.

Short wall models.

Backdrop vista.

Another short wall model.

These short walls are usually some of the most useful models in an environment.

Props.

Using the blend shader with vertex colors.

Another modular set.

I really like how this building turned out!

Night lighting test.

Generic model and window props.

More buildings.

I really enjoy this little street!

More modular buildings.

The last picture I have of this project.

Asset list

Here’s an asset list I got from the level designer.

Project’s Fate

Ultimately, this project was canceled and the team moved on to another project, who was very successful. I believe the main reason the team moved to the other project, is because of the complexities and costs of building a CryEngine 2 game at the time.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane!