I'm inclined to think this is a better optimised, better supported version of CryEngine 2. Crytek are trying to compete with Unreal on the middleware front. I think its a good move. Adding in features that will extend its life over to the next generation (after this one!).
I'm very excited, CryEngine 2 is the best out there at the moment in terms of Editor, feature set, and rendering capability. So to see it expanded and opened up to console developers means that hopefully we wont get 1000 Unreal Engine 4 games next generation, like we have with this generation with Unreal Engine 3.
One more thing.. as this seems to be a venture into a fully supported cross platform middleware, the Editor and tools will hopefully be easier to use and work with more programs (i.e maya)
Toblerone
Toby joined
I'm Toby, Designer/Animator, I make games. Soon, hopefully, that will be my paid profession. Whereas Design and Animation are separate and wonderful in their own rights, I also like to combine them, creating games where animation is a function of the design and core to the gameplay.