Bad News for Timesplitters fans

[boomhauertjs]

Steve posted this in his daily links, but I thought it deserved more discussion in here. At least Battlefront III will still get made.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/free-radical-design-latest-to-face-financial-trouble

Free Radical Design closes doors
Independent UK studio Free Radical Design closed its doors this morning, GamesIndustry.biz understands, with multiple sources claiming that staff, including senior executives, have already left the company.

It is also believed that the unnamed project for LucasArts - announced back in 2006 and thought to be Star Wars Battlefront III - has been shipped off to Rebellion, the developer behind PSP hit Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron.

One source claims staff turned up to work today to find doors locked, and instructions to meet at a nearby hotel for a final company meeting.

Last month, when contacted by GamesIndustry.biz, director Steve Ellis denied there were any changes at the company.

"Nothing unusual is happening here. Projects end. New projects start. That's how things have worked for nearly 10 years," he said then.

TimeSplitters 4 and the unnamed project were both still in development said Ellis, as were "other unannounced projects, which are in the process of being signed."

And days later, when more industry chatter questioned the future of the Nottingham studio, Ellis said that "we certainly won't be laying off any staff today. Or, for that matter, any time in 2008."

"If something happens in 2009 I'm sure we'll be prepared to comment - but from where I'm sitting, whatever happens is far more likely to be positive than negative," he added.

[Hooe]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans



Timesplitters was one of the few series of shooter games I've really enjoyed recently. Sucks that we apparently won't see a next-gen iteration.

[Laettner32]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

Man that sucks, I really liked the TS series. Hopefully it will get picked up by another quality developer.

[bkfount]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

So..no Haze 2?

Timesplitters was golden last gen, but we were always told that one commercial failure this generation could kill a smaller independent company. Sucks that Haze, which was a generic FPS released only on the ps3 is what killed them off. They were better than that game. You have to think that a new TS and SW: Battlefront 3 would have been more than enough to keep them going.

[Chrono]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

Ugh... HORRIBLE news. Timesplitters was by far my favorite FPS for multiplayer last gen, and I couldn't wait to see what they did this gen. Hopefully the old "Goldeneye team" will show up with another gem somewhere in the future.

[Eton Rifles]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

Yeah, I was really looking forward to Battlefront 3.

[bkfount]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

Yeah, I was really looking forward to Battlefront 3.

It's still gonna come out, but not from them.

[Eton Rifles]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

It's still gonna come out, but not from them.

Fo Shizzle.

[Gibbz]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

With Timesplitters 4's demise, it means Unreal is the only remaining shooter series that I enjoy.

[Flawless]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

Crytek Purchases Free Radical, Says Haze Scriptwriter

Free Radical's Rob Yescombe just confirmed to 1UP that the recently troubled developer has been bought for an undisclosed sum by Germany-based Crytek (best known for the games Far Cry and Crysis). This ends weeks of uncertainty about the future of the company, which many had guessed might be forced to shut its doors.

When Free Radical employees arrived at work at the company's four Nottingham, UK offices on December 18, they found that they were locked out, with a sign asking them to attend a meeting at a nearby hotel. There it was confirmed that the company had gone into administration, a process in the UK whereby companies can continue to trade while their financial woes are tackled, hopefully meaning that the company can be saved from complete closure.

On December 31, administrator Cameron Gunn of ReSolve Partners announced that although the developer would continue to operate, it would be shedding 140 staff. The remaining 40 employees stayed on at the company working out of one office. Gunn stated at the time that there had been "strong interest" from a number of parties worldwide for the developer.

Speaking from his local pub, Yescombe told us, "After seven long weeks of uncertainty, I can confirm that Free Radical is now out of the woods. We've been bought by a really, really good company." He added, in what was possibly a first for the outspoken writer, "I'm so excited I'm lost for words." Then he found some and continued: "It's the smoothest deal we've ever done. It all went through quickly, efficiently, fantastically..."

Yescombe said that he was unsure what the deal would mean for those made redundant on New Year's Eve, but that he hoped the company could ramp back up to its former size. Asked about what the team will be working on -- and specifically if this means we will one day see TimeSplitters 4 -- he said, "We don't know yet. We'll find out over the coming weeks."

We've contacted Crytek for more details, and to confirm from their side.

[Chrono]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

Asked about what the team will be working on -- and specifically if this means we will one day see TimeSplitters 4 -- he said, "We don't know yet. We'll find out over the coming weeks."

So you're saying there's a chance....

[FlyRice]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

IGN just posted an article about a possible Timesplitters HD remake or sequel!

Timesplitters was originally developed by Free Radical, which Crytek obtained in February 2009. Despite fan hopes that this would mean a fourth entry in the popular shooter series may see release, Yerli reveals there wasn't enough industry demand. He asserted that he's still prepared to champion the cause though, presenting the magic number of 300,000 signatures as how many would be required to get the project off the ground.

"There’s a very hardcore market that is very verbal about it," he explained. "I would love to see this, and if the fan base approves a further petition. They’re trying to call 300,000 voices, I think it’s at two or three thousand right now. If they could get the petition together I would be very happy to put in front of decision makers in the company, the key stakeholders, and say “Look here. This is how it is, let’s make it now.""

Sign the Petition here

It's currently at 44,828 supporters.

[j3nkins29]

Re: Bad News for Timesplitters fans

I signed it. Man timeplitters future perfect was one of my favorite games on ps2. Me and my friends had a ton of fun with it. I would love to see timesplitters get upgraded in hd.