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TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design has shut down
Free Radical Design, the company tasked to create a TimeSplitters reboot, has closed its doors. Additionally, the developer’s official website now redirects to a 404 error, along with text reading “company not found” and a sad face.
The TimeSplitters revival may be in limbo as its developer faces potential closure
Free Radical Design, the re-formed studio that's working on a TimeSplitters reboot, could be shut down as soon as December 11, according to a report.
Don't expect Saints Row, Metro, Dead Island or TimeSplitters at E3
Deep Silver says those franchises won't be featured at Summer Game Fest either.
TimeSplitters returns with a new game from the original developers
Free Radical Design has risen from the ashes, thanks to Deep Silver.
THQ Nordic says a new Saints Row game is 'deep in development'
THQ Nordic had plenty of updates about upcoming games from its sprawling empire in its latest earnings report. Perhaps the most notable is that its Volition studio is "deep in development" on a new Saints Row game. It didn't offer any information on when to expect the next entry in the popular series, but it'd be the first full title since Saints Row IV in 2013.
'TimeSplitters' is coming back
British console game TimeSplitters saw massive popularity in the 2000s. Its humor, artistic style and cheeky pop culture references earned the three-game series a passionate fan base, but despite its success, the title subsequently lay dormant. Until now. Maybe. The series has been bought by Koch Media -- which has built an entire business out of buying and reviving old franchises like this -- and it sounds like they're planning to do something with it.
Timesplitters Rewind takes a second for Steam Greenlight Concepts
The fans developing Timesplitters Rewind are hoping for a launch on Steam Greenlight, probably to match the game's potential release on PS4. Timesplitters Rewind has a page on Greenlight's Concepts section, where developers can get feedback and cultivate a community prior to a full campaign on Greenlight. Timesplitters Rewind is a fan-made HD remix of all three Timesplitters games – 1, 2 and Future Perfect – with the blessing of the series' IP holder, Crytek. The team behind Rewind cautions that there are unofficial groups for Timesplitters Rewind on Steam and that the only official account can be found here. "We are perfectly comfortable with fan communities," Project Manager Michael Hubicka writes. As a group of fans remastering a game that doesn't belong to them, we figured they'd be cool with fan communities on Steam, but that's nice to know for sure.
Crytek-approved TimeSplitters fan project gets title, preliminary details
A dedicated group of TimeSplitters fans have taken it upon themselves to create a new, free game for like-minded folks: TimeSplitters Rewind. Developed with permission from CryTek and using assets from actual TimeSplitters games as reference material, Rewind is being constructed in CryEngine 3 and will focus primarily on multiplayer.While there is no further visual evidence of the game beyond the above logo and this rendered duck person, project manager Michael Hubicka has stated that a demo for Rewind should be available by Christmas. "The demo will be more or less a beta," Hubicka told Cooking with Grenades. "We plan to release patches to fix glitches/bugs/exploits/performance issues and Content Updates to add maps and characters."Eventually, Hubicka hopes that Rewind will also include remade versions of the single-player story content from TimeSplitters' history, but the initial goal of the project is to faithfully recreate the most well-known multiplayer components within CryEngine 3. New multilpayer modes are in the works, however, though their eventual inclusion will depend on if the end result "feels right."
Yerli: Interest in TimeSplitters 4 is 'not high enough'
Founder and CEO of Crytek Cevat Yerli knows that a lot of people want to play a new TimeSplitters game – but "a lot" just isn't enough to get one made. At least, not yet."I tested through my official blog to see how big the TimeSplitters community is, and while the volume of responses was quite high, we feel it's not high enough yet," Yerli tells VG24/7. "That being said, it did indeed trigger a deeper evaluation of what we do with TimeSplitters, and I can only say this for now: We might have some surprises coming soon."In April, Crytek officially rebuked rumors it was developing a new TimeSplitters. For now, Yerli and Crytek are focused on creating gaming's future in the form of social experiences, with Warface's Gface streaming system leading the charge. Perhaps the surprise for new TimeSplitters content will be the franchise-specific social network "Timeface," or maybe even "Splitleg."
Crytek CEO: TimeSplitters could return as free-to-play title
Crytek won't be making a traditional retail TimeSplitters title, according to Cevat Yerli, the company's CEO (not a huge surprise, really). In an interview with VideoGamer, Yerli said he wished the company could develop it, saying, "I love the idea, I love the brand, I love everything – but the publishers don't." He added that he doesn't "want to spend [Crytek's] money on the project in a retail business."It sounds dour to be sure, but Yerli quickly turned the tables, saying that TimeSplitters could be resurrected as a free-to-play title. Crytek recently made some waves announcing that it would be moving entirely toward a free-to-play business model after the launch of Crysis 3. The transition will be supported entirely by GFACE, Crytek's own game-streaming service.Regarding the possibility of a new TimeSplitters on GFACE, Yerli was pretty clear: "I love the picture of a Timesplitters running on GFACE."When a TimeSplitters sequel was referred to as gaming's Bigfoot – its Yeti, if you will – Yerli noted that "if we get enough fans, being loud enough," then "the Yeti can come back, on GFACE."
Crytek discussing possibility of TimeSplitters 4, needs Crysis 2 shipped first
Our anticipation for Crysis 2 just skyrocketed for a terrible, terrible reason. See, in a recent interview with CVG, Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli responded to a query about the possibility of a new entry in the TimeSplitters franchise by saying, "Yeah, we have been discussing it, but nothing has been confirmed yet, so let's see after Crysis 2." The developers of the chronologically unstable series, Free Radical, were purchased by Crytek back in 2009, and now have their hands full with developing Crysis 2's multiplayer component. Don't get us wrong -- we're definitely looking forward to Crysis 2 based solely on its own merits as an innovative first-person shooter. But we also want a new TimeSplitters, and if that means we have to ship Crysis 2 before it's ready to free up resources, then, well, that's an egg we're willing to break.
Crytek UK still shopping around new TimeSplitters title
The studio formerly known as Free Radical Design may now be called Crytek UK, but that doesn't mean it has abandoned its popular TimeSplitters franchise. Managing director Karl Hilton said the developer is still shopping around that IP to publishers to see if it's something they're interested in. We've known that Crytek UK has been working on both another TimeSplitters and some sort of original FPS IP for a while now, but Hilton says the coin flip hasn't landed yet. "If [publishers are] keen for a TS game," he says, "then we'd be happy to do one. If they'd like us to develop something new then we'd do that." Hilton also says that even if it is agreed that Crytek UK will create a new TimeSplitters game, it may not look like the old ones. Publishers are excited about the brand, he says, but they may need it to be updated or tweaked in some way. But Hilton guarantees players that no matter what personality a new TimeSplitters game might eventually bear, it will definitely be a strong one. Doesn't matter to us, either, Mr. Hilton -- just please make sure that we get to play as a monkey at some point.
Free Radical founder forms Facebook studio
We promise this isn't one of our bizarre and contrived theme days, we just happen to have two stories about now-defunct Free Radical, the founder of which has gone on to form his own Facebook game design studio. It's called (tragically) Zinkyzonk.Before he created the House That TimeSplitters Built, David Doak was one of the designers on GoldenEye, so he's definitely got the experience and chops. But if he's looking to unseat Dolphin Olympics 2 as Facebook game king, he'd better get that nose to the grindstone yesterday.
Crytek: Free Radical devs doing things 'they always dreamed to do'
When Crytek snatched up Free Radical, we imagine some dreams of not being jobless came true, and now that the acquisition is complete, it would seem Crytek is giving free reign to Free Radical. In an interview with Develop, Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli says the new Crytek UK is working "on things that they always dreamed to do." "We are providing the team a roadmap and the chance to grow, which is why we were picked as a partner, and not anyone else," Yerli added. Could such a "dream project" be TimeSplitters 4, which is what Free Radical was working on before the acquisition? Hopefully we'll hear more at E3.
Free Radical's fate to be decided this week
If you're like us, then you remember the amazing GoldenEye 007 and those fun TimeSplitters games (and are trying to forget that Haze one). That's why the ongoing story of UK-based Free Radical touches us so deeply. We were hoping to get a new TimeSplitters game some day!Now, it looks like we'll know on Wednesday if that's to be, as ReSolve Partners, the restructuring administrator handling this dark time for Free Radical, has revealed that the fate of the company will be announced to one and all on February 4th. Hopefully, somebody ends up rescuing the company, because we'd hate to see Free Radical become permanently affixed to our layoffs tag. ReSolve has said that it's prepared to split up technology, IPs, and other assets if it cannot sell the company as a whole, or if the prospect of a more lucrative sale arises.
Report: Free Radical fails to find buyer, staff laid off
Further details surrounding Free Radical's financial woes have arisen, with Edge sources revealing that employees would no longer receive compensation after December, as there would be "nothing left to give." Free Radical's co-founder, Steve Ellis, reportedly delivered the bad news in a nearby hotel after employees found their office doors locked. According to Edge's latest update, said bad news entailed failed attempts by the Haze developer to find a publisher or buyer, both locally and abroad. The source claims that twenty former employees were offered different positions -- possibly at Ellis' new venture, Pumpkin Beach -- whilst others were laid off and redirected to reps from Codemasters and Monumental Games. A separate report from GamesIndustry.biz, however, notes that "40 people are still working in the Free Radical offices, mainly on game concepts, and should be there into the New Year." It's still unclear what exactly transpired, but one thing's for certain: We feel kinda bad about this mean post now.Source -- Source: Free Radical Locked UpSource -- Administrator Confirms Free Radical Demise
'Significant interest' shown in purchasing Free Radical
Though we heard a number of reports on Thursday stating otherwise, it seems that TimeSplitters and Haze developer Free Radical has yet to shuffle off this mortal coil. Things are apparently not as grim as the initial reports suggested -- well, okay, they were recently refused entry into their office, and have officially gone into "administration", which many would consider quite grim indeed. However, if the most recent report on the matter is to be believed, all hope is not lost for the once-Rad developer.According to an employee at ReSolve, the administrator for Free Radical, there's already been a great deal of interest shown from publishers who want to purchase the developer, acquiring their assets and (remaining) employees. This interest largely stems from two undisclosed projects the developer had under their wing during their collapse, which many believe to be new entries into the Timesplitters and Star Wars Battlefront franchises. The rumored involvement of Battlefront is enough for us to hold out hope for an old-fashioned Christmas miracle.
Free Radical teases Wii gamers some more
Early last month, Free Radical put a poll up on their site asking folks which platform they would want to see TimeSplitters 4 on. Wii actually ended up winning the poll and now Free Radical has put up something new on their site.Now, they've got a new poll up on their site, focusing on the Wii. While we're all for gathering information (hey, it's what we do), we have on simple request: just get to work on TimeSplitters4 already! Please? We'll, uh, draw you a picture of a unicorn or something.[Thanks, Sonic_13!]
Free Radical asks us to vote on TimeSplitters 4 platform
Free Radical, the folks behind the TimeSplitters games and former Rare employees responsible for GoldenEye 007, have tossed up a poll on their website asking one and all which platform they'd like to see TimeSplitters 4 release on. We all know it's coming, they know we know and now are asking us which system we prefer? At the time of writing this post, it looks like more people would like to see the thing release on PS3, but the system isn't winning by that much.If you want TimeSplitters 4 on Wii, we'd suggest you head over there and make your voice heard. If you don't know what TimeSplitters 4 is, then we suggest you play all of the previous games or, in the least, the best title in the series. We just hope the new game still has a level editor.Oh, and they also have some artwork up on their site, featuring a cat on wheels and one hot chainsaw-toting nun.[Thanks, hvnlysoldr!]
Timesplitters 4 teaser: Revenge of the Simian
"Every game has a sequel." Oh, if only that were true. In the case of Timesplitters: Future Perfect, however, it is. Timesplitters 4 is well and truly in production. We're happy about it, but not as optimistic as we might have been before a certain narcotic-and-war-condemning title was released over Summer. Still, our hopes are high that Free Radical's next project will be a little less pretentious and a little more fun, like other Timesplitters games were. A new video has appeared on the Free Radical website. It doesn't show a lot but, like the first teaser, it shows of more what we can expect from the game; monkeys and pop-culture parody. While the video is cute (particularly the very end), we desperately want to see some actual game footage. Still, a monkey in a suit is better than nothing. Right?
