CryEngine Shader & Asset Build Cache (%LocalAppData%\CryEngine)

Bottom Line: It is 100% safe to clear CryEngine cache directories. CryEngine regenerates shader caches and asset compilation buffers when launching the Sandbox Editor or game executable.

Why Does CryEngine Cache Exist?

CryEngine (used in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Crysis, and Hunt: Showdown) pre-compiles DirectX and Vulkan shaders to render realistic lighting, reflections, and vegetation without stuttering.

• Primary Purpose: Shader pre-compilation, PAK file extraction, and Sandbox Editor temporary asset staging.
• Storage Growth: Builds up across engine updates and game projects, consuming 2 GB to 15 GB.
• Location: Stored in %LocalAppData%\CryEngine and project user/ directories.

What Happens If You Delete CryEngine Cache?

• System Safety: ✅ 100% Safe to Delete. Original C++ source code, Lua scripts, and .cry level files remain untouched.
• Automatic Rebuilding: The Sandbox Editor will re-compile shaders on next launch.
• Reclaimed Storage: Frees 2 GB to 15 GB of local storage.

How to Clear CryEngine Cache

Remove-Item -Path "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\CryEngine\*" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will clearing CryEngine cache fix editor shader crashes?

Yes. Corrupted shader caches inside %LocalAppData%\CryEngine can cause Sandbox Editor crashes on startup. Clearing the cache resolves shader compilation errors.