The newest update to video game engine CryEngine introduces virtual reality support, a much-needed addition in the face of the industry's newfound focus on VR.

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German developers Crytek today announced that CryEngine version 3.8.1 adds Oculus Rift support to the platform, allowing licensees and subscribers to develop software for the major VR device.

"Since showcasing our own work with VR, we've seen an overwhelming response from developers who want to use CryEngine for their virtual reality projects as well," said Crytek's Frank Vitz, Creative Director on CryEngine. Our experience in stereoscopic 3D, combined with the engine's rendering power and ability to deliver high resolution images at a high frame rate, means CryEngine offers a degree of visual fidelity that many people feel is foundational to a compelling VR experience. We can't wait to see what other CryEngine users create now that they have VR capabilities at their fingertips."

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CryEngine has been the force behind some major titles over the past several years, namely Crytek's own Far Cry and Crysis titles. Many third party games have embraced the engine, though, and eventual VR support was more or less an inevitability. CryEngine recently became more affordable with a subscription model (it costs $9.90 per month) that allows developers to use it as a free service. There's also a free SDK to experiment with, but it's not meant for commercial use.