Horrible news for Electronic Arts and "Crysis" developer Crytek over the weekend. The developer's upcoming "Crysis 2," which is due for release on March 22 in North America, leaked online. It's a pretty serious leak too, as reports peg what's floating around as a complete, albeit incredibly buggy, dev build of the game, complete with multiplayer and the master key for online authentication.
The news is posted on the Facepunch forums. In addition to both of the game's key components, the CryEngine 3 Editor mod tools are also included.
I hope you'll join me in extending sympathies to the talented, hard-working team at Crytek and not allow this story to perpetuate by engaging in any unlawful acts of piracy. "Crysis" was an exceptional game and this sequel deserved to be unleashed to the world at the developer's leisure, after all possible pre-release bugs had been discovered and ironed out. As much as reports are touting this leak as the "full game," that's not entirely accurate. If it's not in any shape for release, and this particular version apparently isn't, then it's not the full game. Simple as that.
Crytek responded to the news with a statement published on the game's blog: "Crytek has been alerted that an early incomplete, unfinished build of 'Crysis 2' has appeared on Torrent sites. Crytek and EA are deeply disappointed by the news. We encourage fans to support the game and the development team by waiting and purchasing the final, polished game on March 22. 'Crysis 2' is still in development and promises to be the ultimate action blockbuster as the series’ signature Nanosuit lets you be the weapon as you defend NYC from an alien invasion. Piracy continues to damage the PC packaged goods market and the PC development community."
Tough break. Fortunately, early reports -- sanctioned previews, that is -- of the game so far have pointed to a fun experience which seems to improve on the original. We'll find out ourselves in late March. And not before.