The chaps at Crytek UK have confirmed that the studio is in the process of chatting with publishers in regards to the possibility of developing a new entry in the much-loved TimeSplitters franchise.
Speaking during an interview with Eurogamer, Crytek UK chief Karl Hilton revealed that the company is stewing over whether or not to revisit TimeSplitters – which hasn’t seen a sequel in five years – or churn out a new IP instead.
“We’re talking to publishers at the moment about whether that’s [TimeSplitters] a viable route or not,” he said.
“There hasn’t been a TimeSplitters game for quite a while. Obviously TimeSplitters is a FPS with a strong multiplayer element. The question is, is that the way to go with another one, or should it go down a different route, or should we be developing a new IP altogether?”
“It’s down to us talking to publishers about what their interest is and where they see it going. If they’re keen for a TS game, then we’d be happy to do one. If they’d like us to develop something new then we’d do that,” he added.
“Whether the TS is like the classic TS or whether the TS is a new imagined TS, that’s the other thing to discuss with them.”
Hilton observed that TimeSplitters maintains significant brand awareness among publishers, though also pointed out that the series’ success varied from market to market, meaning some folk may not be as keen on revisiting it as others. Nonetheless, it sounds as if companies are quite keen on the idea.
“Talking to publishers, everyone is aware of TimeSplitters. It’s got a brand awareness that’s really good. Its success in different markets was quite variable. So depending on who you talk to, they either look at it as a really successful product or as a product that was almost successful but could have done better.”
TimeSplitters 4 was originally in the works prior to Free Radical entering administration back in 2008, where Crytek later snapped it up and renamed the firm Crytek UK. Since then, the project has been officially labelled as on hold. The last game in the series, TimeSplitters: Future Perfect, released back in 2005 for PS2, Xbox and GameCube.
More as it breaks.