German-based developer Crytek announced today that its all-in-one multiplatform development solution, known as CryEngine 3, has reached its final stages of development and is now available to licensees.

Not only is CryEngine 3 being offered as a middleware solution for the current crop of consoles, but Crytek says scalable computation logic has been built in so as to gradually scale in visual quality to upcoming platforms. Providing a “What you see is what you play” toolkit, Crytek is aiming to forever change multiplatform development, truly streamlining it for the first time.

Most interesting is the Live Create feature of the engine, which allows for developers to work with a single editor and see the results in real-time on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 as modifications are made on the code level.

“With CryENGINE 3 we are releasing the best development solution available today and tomorrow. With its scalable graphics and computation it is next-gen ready and with new features like CryENGINE 3 Live Create the best choice for game developers and companies developing serious games applications alike. It is the only game engine solution that enables real-time development and can ensure teams are able to maximise their own creativity, save budget and create greater gaming experiences.” said Cevat Yerli, CEO & President of Crytek.

From the sound of it, this is a massive step forward in game development. While the licensing costs are unknown, it’ll be interesting to see if studios start making the switch from Epic’s widely-used Unreal Engine 3. Crysis 2, one of the first CryEngine 3 powered titles, will hit PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2010.

CryEngine 3 Now Available To Licensees, Streamlines Multiplatform Development - [eXophase.com]

Speaking in a keynote at GDC Europe, Crytek co-founder Cevat Yerli said that he expects the next-generation of consoles to hit in 2013 at the latest. However, Yerli is not standing by his statement entirely, noting that “there’s a big debate about whether there will be a next generation at all.”

With both Sony and Microsoft taking bold initiatives towards introducing motion-sensing peripherals, it’s quite plausible that this generation could carry on for another three years. After all, there’s not much point in coming out with new tech if the current crop of consoles are soon to be phased out. It’s very possible we may see a “refresh” of this gen, similar to what Nintendo and Sony have done in the portable sector with the DSi and now PSPgo.

Crytek is working on CryEngine 3-powered Crysis 2, scheduled to hit PS3, Xbox 360, and PC at a yet-unspecified date.

GDC Europe: Crytek’s Yerli On The Future Of Gaming Graphics [Gamasutra]

Crytek: Current Gen To Last Until 2013 - [eXophase.com]