Exploring development of Far Cry 1: part 4 feature

A long time has passed since this article series was updated. I think it is the right moment to post a new part, now that I have more interesting stuff to show you.

Image-heavy, as usual.

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Let us get started with concept arts:

I have found a colorized version of the merc commander concept from the previous part:

Now let's move on to the screenshots:

This is a screenshot taken from the editor. It shows an unidentified level with a mysterious sctructure. It probably dates back to the "X-Isle" stage of development:

And this one shows some unknown swamp area:

And this is a rare screenshot of the merc group from the previous parts:

Some picturesque area:

And this one is probably a screenshot of the old Catacombs:

I have also found pictures related to Polybump - one of the main features of Far Cry. They seem to use assets from early stages of development.

For example, this group of images shows an old mercenary model:

I have already shown one of those images in the first part, now I have found the rest.

These screenshots show a head model render. Even though they are old, model seems to use the head normal map very similar to the one we have in release version:

And these pictures show generator models that can be seen on 2002 screenshots (they can still be found in the game's files):

Screenshots of the old Buggy

Screenshot of an old japanese plane wreckage, similar to the concept art:

I have also found some interesting late-development screenies. You can tell that because of the almost finalized M4.

-Some indoor area, similar to the place on the Treehouse where Jack freaks out at the sight of a dead trigen:

-An old Regulator screenshot:

These screenshots are taken from a version almost identical to the final game. But they show an interesting detail: message box (where pickup information and other stuff used to be shown) and "Press USE" text are placed identically:

(By the way, "Saving game" text was also displayed there)

I have also found some interesting miscellaneous images.

This one shows a "commando" Jack Carver from the concept art on a "X-Isle" (the dinosaur demo) background:

And these images are taken from old Crytek's site. They show some strange creaures, shown in the previous parts:

Moreover, I have found very interesting videos:

Far Cry Gamestar preview (December, 2003):

Even though it is very similar to the previous video preview, it still has some interesting details:

• Different weapon slot icons
• Drowning effects
• Grenade bumping sounded like rock bumping

Far Cry Gamestar preview (January, 2004)

What can we tell from that video:

• A new hud version
• Messages box looks much simpler
• Different font for the message box and "press use" indicator
• That skeleton near the ladder on the Training used to be a fallen merc in the older version. It explains how we've acquired the compass: we have taken one from this guy.
• Buggy now lacks a tire on the back, but it still has no MG and has different sound effects
• M4 has different sounds
• M4's model is finalized
• "Checkpoint reached" is still displayed
• AW50 is finalized
• We get to the Carrier from the Training, like the final game
• Different MP5 sounds
• Mk. 19 tilts in the first person, just like the Minigun
• Multiplayer was present by that time
• AG36 is finalized
• Different "Build progress" indicator

Game's data still has things to explore:

-Textures:

Some animated textures show older versions of some levels:

-"textures/animated/camera/cam<...>.dds" shows an old show of Treehouse with spotlights and camonet tents:

-"textures/animated/camera/camera<...>.dds" shows what it seems bits of old HUD and some creature:

-"textures/animated/camera/fortcam01.dds" shows a shot of what it seems the old Fort with a radio tower instead of a satellite dish:

-"textures/animated/computer/movie.dds" shows a (kinda) funny edit of a Research screenshot:

Demo contains an older multiplayer logo for attacking team in Assault mode. It seems to be drawn and not an edited photo of a hand:

-Sounds:

-"Localized/Languages/missiontalk" contains what it seems soundclips for Assault mode in multiplayer (mp_<...>). Especially notable is the "mp_lake" folder. Maybe there was a cut multiplayer level.

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Alright, that's all for now. More parts will come later.

P.S.: I've fixed the lack of images in the older parts. Moreover, I've added some higher-resolugtion pictures (for the old sunset level in part 1, for example). Check them out.