timesplitters 4
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TimeSplitters returns with a new game from the original developers
Free Radical Design has risen from the ashes, thanks to Deep Silver.
TimeSplitters 4 couldn't find a publisher through a haze of mistrust
We've been talking about TimeSplitters 4 since 2007. We guess that's better than talking about TimeSplitters 4 once in 2007 and then never again, but it's still tedious when no news other than, "Sure, it's still in development," comes out of Crytek.Crytek bought series developer Free Radical in 2008, following the studio's closure. At the time, TimeSplitters 4 couldn't find a publisher because its story was too complex, series co-creator Steve Ellis and Karl Hilton, a former Free Radical staffer now at Crytek UK, tell GamesTM."TimeSplitters 4 was in the very early stages of development when Free Radical went into administration," Ellis says. "A small playable demo was shown to several publishers, but it didn't attract any publishing deals."Hilton says Free Radical's FPS flop, Haze, contributed to publisher hesitancy. Marketing people would play the demo, and then ask what happened with Haze, stressing a lack of trust in the studio."Secondly, their marketing person would say something alone the lines of, 'I don't know how to sell this,'" Hilton says. "The unanimous opinion among all publishers that we pitched TimeSplitters 4 to is that you can't market a game that is based around a diverse set of characters and environments – you need a clear and easily communicated marketing message, and TimeSplitters doesn't have one. Perhaps they are all right. Perhaps this is why the previous games in the series achieved much more critical success than commercial success. For these reasons, one by one they all declined to sign the project."Earlier this year Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli said that public interest in TimeSplitters 4 was high, but "not high enough yet."
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: TimeSplitters 4 is not in development
Despite rumors to the contrary, Crytek has shot down the notion that the studio is currently developing TimeSplitters 4. The company joked to CVG it had attempted to employ the infinite monkey theorem to develop the game, but ran over budget after purchasing only seven monkeys. Thus far, said Crytek, the chimps "haven't written any code but just tease the press from time to time." In a more serious response, a Crytek spokesperson said quite plainly, "No, it's not in development."Rumors of a Crytek-developed TimeSplitters 4 have been swirling for years now, with the most recent story popping up last summer, when PlayStation magazine reported that a new TimeSplitters announcement was imminent.
Rumor: TimeSplitters 4 may be announced soon
The TimeSplitters series isn't done monkeying around yet -- Crytek UK may be announcing TimeSplitters 4 soon, as noted in the August edition of Official PlayStation Magazine UK's "Rumor Machine" section. The rumor reads, "Gun-wielding monkeys are finally making a comeback! A fourth Timesplitters title is to be announced soon." This seems pretty straight-forward, and Crytek UK has previously suggested a new TimeSplitters title after the release of Crysis 2, so we're thinking this could be truer than a complete lie, but we're still keeping our bananas in our pants for now.
Crytek UK making original FPS
If you were holding out hope that Crytek UK (formerly Free Radical) would be finishing up TimeSplitters 4 any time soon, you may want to store it way down in your heart. We're talking like way down, back where you keep your secret wish to find an unopened box of Nintendo Cereal System at your local grocer. Studio manager Karl Hilton recently told Develop that the company is working on an original FPS. While the news is good on one hand (it's not Haze) it's also bad, because it likely means TimeSplitters 4 is either a long ways off or dead altogether. [Via GoGamingGiant]
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.
Rumor: Free Radical Design closes shop
It's being reported by various UK based news sites that Free Radical, developer of the TimeSplitters series and Haze, has closed its doors for good. No one has received confirmation from the developer either way, as they don't seem to be answering their phones, but judging from anecdotal evidence, it's not looking good. Forum-goers over at Eurogamer are saying that the locks on the doors have been changed and Develop's sources are saying "something" happened at the developer this morning.Develop is posturing that the closure, if true, is probably a result of Haze being a commercial and critical flop. Not only that, but the word is that their Lucasarts collaberation (Star Wars BattleFront 3) is reported to have been cancelled and they were having trouble finding a publisher for TimeSplitters 4. Sadly, it seems that game will now never see the light of day. We'll update this story as soon as we get confirmation either way but, as we say, it's not looking good. It's a sad day and we feel for anyone who has lost their job -- especially this close to Christmas.[UPDATE] We've received confirmation that Free Radical has, indeed, closed its doors. This is no longer a rumor. GameIndustry.biz is reporting that Star Wars Battlefront 3 has been passed on to PSP Battlefront developer Rebellion.
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?
Make enough noise and Free Radical might remake Timesplitters 2
Free Radical Design, the developer behind Haze, has told CVG that if people make enough noise then they will consider remaking Timesplitters 2 in HD with online multiplayer. TS2 was a classic PS2 game and, while it still stands up as a great game today, an HD makeover would not only allow those of us who loved it the first time around, but also people who let it slip them by, to enjoy it all over again. CVG is campaigning for people to contact Free Radical Design and let them know that, yes, we do want it to happen. To do so, simply send an email to CVG so that they can, presumably, collect all the names together and forward it on. Sure, FRD is currently working on Timesplitters 4, which will no doubt be in Hi-Def and feature online multiplayer, but it won't have that sweet tang of nostalgia about it. Not for another five years, at least.
TimeSplitters 4 makes monkey outta Halo, sans poo-flinging
Free Radical made some games in the past that were both humorous and enjoyable. These games came to be known as the TimeSplitters franchise. We do like the parody video announcing the title on IGN. Seems like the game is coming back for a fourth installment on the latest consoles and we welcome them back.The Free Radical website announces the game thus: " ... We can't tell you the details yet, the monkeys have a loaded banana pressed against our skull, but this game will take the first person shooter to gaming nirvana. Save the world or die laughing, Timesplitters 4 is coming to getcha!" We can't wait to see what sort of juicy, informative fruit is hidden behind that skin. Let us peel away at this banana of mystery in due time -- that is, we'll let you know more on TimeSplitters 4 as we get information![via IGN]
Timesplitters 4 officially official
Though Haze is still deep in development, Nottingham-based developers Free Radical have taken a moment out of their busy days to announce Timesplitters 4, the latest in their tongue-in-cheek FPS series of tom-foolery and time-foolery (did you see what I did there?). Not a lot of information about the game is available, except that Free Radical's site promises more crazy characters, weapons, and monkeys. The site also features a few cute pokes at major action franchises, including Halo 3 and Gears of War, but it's unknown if satire will play a role in the game (since we all know how well games parodying other games seems to go over these days). Free Radical also reminds their fans that they are hiring, and considering their recent decision to start paying overtime, it might not be a bad place to get that industry job you've been hoping for.
