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Crytek has revealed plans to leave traditional retail behind, with the developer set to go all out free-to-play for future games releases.

“We are in the transitional phase of our company... from packaged goods games into an entirely free-to-play experience," said Crytek boss Cevat Yerli in an interview with Videogamer.

"All the new games that we’re working on, as well new projects, new platforms and technologies, are designed around free-to-play and online.”

Goodbye cruel world of retail

This may mean Crysis 3, set to hit shelves in 2013, could be the company's last full-price retail title and potentially the final instalment of the franchise. Unless, of course, Crysis becomes an online free-to-play mashup - a far cry (no pun intended) from the current singe-player centric model.

Crytek has ran into piracy problems in the past, with Crysis 2 named the most illegally downloaded game of 2011. Crytek has also complained about the second-hand games market, backing rumoured plans to stop gamers buying cheap discs or swapping games with their pals.

Could free-to-play be the change of direction the developer needs, or has the threat of eye-patched internet surfers actually pushed one of gaming's more revered developers into an area that generally appeals less to the hardcore masses?

With dwindling subscription figures, BioWare is said to be looking towards making Star Wars: The Old Republic a free-to-play game as well, GamesTM reports. ®

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