Xbox 720 Reveal at E3 2012 Say Sources

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Microsoft is gearing up to announce the successor to the Xbox 360 at E3 2012, and Crytek is already developing a new TimeSplitters game for the next generation of consoles, VideoGamer.com can reveal.

Specifications for the new machine have not been finalised, but Crytek is using Microsoft's DirectX 11 as the current basis for next-generation development. Tessellation, multithreaded rendering, and compute shaders are the three headlining features for DirectX 11.

The Crysis 2 developer says that Microsoft will announce the existence of a new Xbox within the next 12 months, hinting that an E3 2012 reveal is likely. Crytek believes that Microsoft will announce and launch its new machine ahead of rival Sony, though the developer is also investing resources into next-generation PlayStation development.

The information was detailed to VideoGamer.com by a high-ranking industry source at Crytek, who stated that TimeSplitters 4 is currently being demonstrated internally, is being built with CryEngine 3, and was being shown privately in video form at E3 2011.

Crytek UK, who produced the other three games in the series as Free Radical, is still handling the development.

Both Microsoft and Crytek declined to comment.

The source reports that the graphics on TimeSplitters 4 are noticeably improved over current generation technology, with the DX11 tessellation effects allegedly having a huge impact on the visuals. Crytek believes that the game - and CryEngine 3 itself - will be seen as the cornerstone of next-generation development.

Crytek has invested heavily in DirectX 11 development primarily to focus on the new consoles, with the upcoming DX11 patch for the PC version of Crysis 2 being used internally as a benchmark of anticipated hardware trends.

As for the game itself, the new TimeSplitters is reported to focus on the series' branching paths and exploratory nature, with sandbox-style gameplay elements a big priority. The current goal is for levels to feature multiple routes that lead to the same overall conclusion.

Speculation about TimeSplitters 4 has been running since 2007. Since its initial announcement the game was even pegged to be a Wii-exclusive before languishing in development hell and being put on hiatus in 2009.

What does this mean for Halo 4, then, which was stated as an Xbox 360 game during its E3 2011 reveal?

Crytek has also recently announced that the CryEngine will support Nintendo's upcoming Wii U hardware. "Crytek's support for Wii U is definitely going to happen," said CEO Cevat Yerli.

Younger gamers might not be aware of the TimeSplitters series. 2005's TimeSplitters: Future Perfect was the last game in the franchise, and 2000's TimeSplitters was a well-received PS2 launch title, but the highlight of the series is undeniably 2002's TimeSplitters 2.

Crytek snapped up Free Radical in 2009 after the studio was forced into administration following the lacklustre critical and commercial performance of its PS3-exclusive shooter Haze. The Nottingham-based studio was rebranded as Crytek UK.

Crytek UK's last job was to handle the multiplayer portion of Crysis 2. "Whether it has enough mettle to compete in the long-term is another question - and one that will be tested over the coming months - but from this initial glance it certainly seems like there's enough in Crysis 2's multiplayer to at least tide people over until the autumn,"

Posted: Jun 14, 2011 3:32 pm

Source: http://www.videogamer.com/news/xbox_720_likely_at_e3_2012_crytek_on_board_2.html

Comments

FrequencieSPosted: Tue. Jun 14, 2011

hope its better than the 360 at launch.. dam was that thing glitchy at launch.

killermanjaro65Posted: Tue. Jun 14, 2011

All I can say is... I hope that they make this one better than their second console. That one had so many problems on first release it wasn't funny. Plus, can't wait to crack that bad ass open to take a look at their new development. PS - HOPE WE CAN STILL FIND A WAY TO MOD THAT ONE!

NetflixPosted: Tue. Jun 14, 2011

sweet! Can't wait!

ExacerbatePosted: Tue. Jun 14, 2011

Well this is going to kill Sony seeing that the PS3 was a huge investment for them and they wanted it to last 10 years lawlz!

OrangemohawkPosted: Tue. Jun 14, 2011

shadow1 The xbox 720 will require you to wear cryogenic suits to control your character. You will need to buy the tredmil mover so you can walk and run. Every game will come a special accessory you will need to use (like cod will give you a gun to use.) This will be the future of gaming. Thats mainly my insight on the new xbox.

i hope not, i like regular controller gaming

DecryptioNz-ArmyPosted: Tue. Jun 14, 2011

Blakeaphobia they better design it for NEXT NEXT GEN because we're going to have these consoles for 5 to 6 years and it's going to need to be able to handle the graphic levels that games will have in 5 or more years.

We don't want to end up like we are right now, PC has amazing graphics in HUGE environments and they have to dumb down all the graphics and map scales for consoles. Just like BF3, the console will have scaled down maps, less players, and lowered graphics. Also Gears 3 had to dumb down the graphics for consoles.

The xbox 360 was made for the next next generation and it made it through those generations with updates. Updates will waht will keep it going with graphics and shit i bet and the new 720 will be high tech im sure.

BlakeaphobiaPosted: Tue. Jun 14, 2011

they better design it for NEXT NEXT GEN because we're going to have these consoles for 5 to 6 years and it's going to need to be able to handle the graphic levels that games will have in 5 or more years.

We don't want to end up like we are right now, PC has amazing graphics in HUGE environments and they have to dumb down all the graphics and map scales for consoles. Just like BF3, the console will have scaled down maps, less players, and lowered graphics. Also Gears 3 had to dumb down the graphics for consoles.

TTG_GumbyPosted: Tue. Jun 14, 2011

If i buy the xbox720 im gonna wait 3 years before using it heres why? Because you know how to jtag an xbox360 it needs to be a certain dashboard or jtag able but nobody didn't realize this intill a couple of years later. So imagine the xbox720 having a similar hack but wouldn't be figured out intill a couple of years later then if you never used your xbox720 you can hack it instead of buying an old model.

shadow1Posted: Tue. Jun 14, 2011

The xbox 720 will require you to wear cryogenic suits to control your character. You will need to buy the tredmil mover so you can walk and run. Every game will come a special accessory you will need to use (like cod will give you a gun to use.) This will be the future of gaming. Thats mainly my insight on the new xbox.