Linux Games, an online classifieds website that advertises jobs for aspiring Linux game developers, has published an advertisment from Crytek’s German offices, inviting game programmers with a proficiency in Linux to port over the Crytek engine.
This is another win for the open source operating system after Valve publicly announced support for various Linux distributions using the native Steam client and game developers beginning to pay more attention to the platform.
The advertisment details the requirements the programmer would have to fulfill at Crytek and it looks like this is the first time they’ve ever addressed the need for a Linux developer. The responsibilities are as follows:
- Maintain Linux support for CryENGINE.
- Contribute to maintenance and improvements of low-level engine systems.
- Ensure reliability of Unix based build systems for SDK releases and special projects.
- Create and maintain modules to be used for automated testing.
- Contribute developer documentation based on on-going developments.
- Participate in the development of game prototypes and custom solutions for external partners.
- Provide support and training to internal and external developers.
- Show a strong passion for customer service and satisfaction.
- Take initiative and be willing to expand own horizon.
- Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
- Safeguard company assets including source code, artwork, tools, game design information and technical know-how.
The interesting points are the need for support to be maintained and to assist with game prototypes for internal and external developers. Licensing the CryEngine is quite common and there are a number of licensees already using it in games like MechWarrior Online, Monster Hunter Online, Nexiuz and a few others by various indie developers.
The other point, which is to “ensure the reliability of Unix-based build systems” might also indicate that they’re going to try aim for making CryEngine work on Apple’s OS X as well. The Origin client is already available for OS X, but there is a noticeable lack of playable games to purchase on the platform (the majority of them are expansion packs for the Sims 3).
This would also likely spur EA to make a native client for Linux as well, as Crytek is one of their most popular studios.
Source: Linux Games
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Almost got into Crysis until I heard that EA was no longer releasing games on Steam and Origin has some questionable items in their TOS giving them permission to “search your computer”.
Hopefully other Cry engine games come to Linux as it’s a very nice engine. EA is about as evil as SCO was to Linux, anything with a EA brand on it I avoid like the plague.