Crytek released an updated version of the Hunt: Showdown roadmap a couple of days ago. The main news was the developer’s decision to drop PlayStation 4 and Xbox One support in April 2024 while releasing Hunt: Showdown for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X. A free upgrade path will be provided so that owners of the game on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One can keep playing on the new consoles with no additional purchase requirements.
This is all part of the update to CRYENGINE 5.11. The minimum and recommended system specifications for the PC version of Hunt: Showdown will be increased, too:
- CPU: Intel 7th Gen 7700/AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650 Super/AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT with minimum 4GB VRAM
- Resolution: 1080P
- Graphics preset: Low
David Fifield, General Manager of the franchise, explained:
After 5 and 1/2 years of Hunt: Showdown, we wrestled with the numbers and reviewed the install base among active users. These upgrades should impact less than 10% of the community while greatly enhancing the experience for the other 90%.
The first stage of the CRYENGINE upgrade includes major previously announced additions, like DirectX 12, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.1.2, Microsoft DirectStorage, and High Dynamic Range (HDR) display support. In the latter half of 2024, Crytek plans to introduce even more cutting-edge technical features to the game thanks to the new CRYENGINE version and the increase in the minimum supported configurations.
The CRYENGINE update will also include a complete overhaul of the user interface. Gamepad support is improving, too, with dead zone adjustments and aim assist/acceleration options coming this year with the Winter update, while custom button mapping and a rework of the weapon wheel will land in early 2024.
Crytek announced it is moving to a decentralized backend next year, allowing for updates with no downtime and quicker response time when interacting with the inventory and Bloodline. The network itself will be improved for greater timing accuracy and consistency in projectile trajectory. Matchmaking will be overhauled to enable two-player teams to join up with a random third player.
On the content front, a fourth map is coming to Hunt: Showdown with the CRYENGINE update to showcase the new graphical features. The second and third chapters of the latest event trilogy following Tide of Shadows are scheduled to launch in Fall and Winter 2023.
Crytek also said it would soon offer 25 more Hunter slots, increasing the cap to 75. The Prestige system will be reworked this year with regards to weapon unlocks, and new reward schemes are coming next year.
