Nexuiz gets CryEngine 3

For those of you who have not heard of Nexuiz, it is a free open-source first person shooter developed by the folks over at IllFonic that was released in 2005 for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Based off of the Quake 1 engine, it's not the most graphically advanced game, but that's easily forgiven, since the action is frentic and the game is entirely free. However, IllFonic plan to bring Nexuiz to the consoles, and to do that, they're enlisting the help of Crytek and their new engine, CryEngine 3, making Nexuiz the first downloadable game to be developed with CryEngine 3.

IllFonic intends on bringing the "malleability" of the PC version to the console version, in order to bring the same feeling of community that the PC version has to the consoles. Essentially, they're looking to bring community created content to the game, which will certainly be interesting to see if it works out like intended.

The game itself, however, is a fast paced arena type shooter (i.e. Quake 4 and Unreal Tournament 3), complete with staple modes like Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. Not much else is known, except that it will most likely contain content from the PC version of the game. If you'll be at Penny Arcade Expo this year, you'll be able to see the game in action. Nexuiz is to hit the XBLA sometime this winter.

With CryEngine 3's part in this, does this mean that more developers will be opting for Crytek's engine over the industry standard Unreal Engine? Depending on how IllFonic handles the new engine, we may just be seeing the beginning of it.

Oh, and you can check out the PC version at the official website below.