Crysis 2 Leaked Over a Month Before Launch
iviv66 writes with this excerpt from Rock, Paper, Shotgun:
"According to a thread on the Facepunch forums, a developer build of Crysis 2 containing the full game, multiplayer and the master key for the online authentication has been leaked, and is currently freely available from all sorts of astonishingly illegal websites. This sounds like it might be a serious tragedy for Crytek. Crysis 2 was scheduled for release on the 22nd of March, so the leaked build could be dangerously close to finished."
EA and Crytek have responded to the leak, saying that the illicit copy is incomplete and unfinished, and that "Piracy continues to damage the PC packaged goods market and the PC development community."
"...is currently freely available from all sorts of astonishingly illegal websites." So these websites aren't just illegal, they're *astonishingly* illegal! This changes damn near everything about my view of the story!
Looks like the game was released with "maximum speed."
crytek keeps their workers in "company provided" living spaces
Crytek Germany provide free accommodation to new developers who've relocated to Germany while they find their feet, and provide assistance finding private accommodation for longer term workers.
to make them work longer
Work longer hours, or work longer for the company? Quite a few of these people have to be persuaded to relocate from Crysis UK to Germany. Persuading people to relocate for a significant length of time requires carrots, not sticks.