Crytek explain why they’re developing Homefront sequel

Crytek is developing the sequel to THQ’s Homefront, which has left some scratching their heads.

Nick Button-Brown, GM of games at Crytek, and company founder, Avni Yerli, have explained why they’ve decided to develop a sequel, despite the lukewarm critical and commercial reception of Homefront.

According to Yerli, the main reason is that the game has a great “mind share” – everybody knows the IP.

“The first game has indeed a low Metacritic, but due to really great positioning and great marketing it has reached a good mind share. And I think with Crytek quality attached to it and similar marketing attached to it, it can make a big splash at the time it comes out.”

He goes on to say that development so far is going well, and is in close collaboration with THQ.

Button-Brown added, “When you look at the world they created in the first game and the world that they were talking about for the second game, the setting they were talking about… obviously we can’t talk about it yet, but it’s really cool.”

While in 2010 THQ’s Danny Bilson hinted a sequel could be set in London, Button-Brown says it’s the team’s choice.

“The team chose and they really, really like it and thought it was a great opportunity and we’ll support them on that.”

Crytek isn’t giving away much in the way of details, but they’re certainly capable of making a quality product. While Homefront is indeed a well-known name, the negative reception of the original may turn some away from the sequel.

Perhaps some clever marketing can turn around the public perception; the Crytek name on the box may go a long way towards doing that.