Free Radical Design has been re-established as a working studio, with owner THQ Nordic promising a new TimeSplitters game.
It’s 16 years since the last TimeSplitters game was released and fans haven’t stopped clamouring for a new game, or at least a remaster, in all that time. But now it looks like it’s actually happening.
Free Radical Design has had a rocky history, having been bought by Crytek in 2009, when they were renamed as Crytek UK, before then being sold to Koch Media, when they were renamed as Dambuster Studios.
Now they’re back to being called Free Radical Design and, more importantly, will be headed up by former co-founders Steve Ellis and David Doak – who fans will also recognise as key figures behind the classic GoldenEye 007.
The original TimeSplitters games were intended as spiritual sequels to GoldenEye 007 and while they lacked the complexity of that game’s single-player campaign the split-screen multiplayer was hugely popular.
How that’s going to be interpreted as a modern game is unclear, as the studio hasn’t started work on the new title yet and while it’s implied to be a sequel or reboot it could technically just be a remaster or remake.
Deep Silver is unambiguous about the reasons for the studio’s resurrection though, stating that they have ‘been working on plans to bring the TimeSplitters franchise back to life, and are pleased to let you know that we are setting up a new Deep Silver development studio to do just that’.
‘To finally be able to confirm that the studio has been formed and that we have a plan for the next TimeSplitters game is incredible. While we cannot tell you anything more at the moment, we look forward to sharing information in the future’, added Steve Ellis.
Clearly, it’s still going to be a long wait until a new game emerges but at least you know it’s actually happening now. Although it’s uncertain what’s going to happen to Dambuster Studios, who are supposed to be working on the eternally delayed Dead Island 2, and if they’re the foundation of the new studio or not.
Deep Silver parent group Embracer Group, which includes THQ Nordic, has also hinted that they plan to resurrect other dormant IP in a similar fashion.
They gave no clue as to what exactly but thanks to an ongoing buying spree they now own over 200 separate IPs. They’re all mostly Xbox 360 era franchises that never quite made the big time, like Destroy All Humans! and Red Faction, but the former has already had a remaster and that clearly won’t be the last.
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, and follow us on Twitter.
MORE : Timesplitters 2 remake teased by THQ in Spellforce 3 expansion
MORE : Saints Row, Metro Exodus, and TimeSplitters sequels confirmed by THQ Nordic
MORE : TimeSplitters 2 HD was cancelled reveal insiders
Follow Metro Gaming on Twitter and email us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
from Gaming – Metro https://ift.tt/3v68poT
0 comments: