UK-based developer Free Radical, the studio responsible for the much-loved TimeSplitters franchise, is facing a possible closure despite only being snapped up by Embracer Group two years ago to revive the series.
The news comes in wake of Embracer’s ongoing restructuring program that has seen a number of studios suffer layoffs, while the likes of Volition and Campfire Cabal have been shuttered altogether. Now, sources have told VGC that Free Radical have been part of the evaluation process and its staff have been told that the company may shut its doors.
While a closure has yet to be confirmed, over 15 staff members at Free Radical have posted on LinkedIn and social media that they are actively looking for work in the past 24 hours. The positions include lead game designer, senior artist, senior technical artist, game designer, and IT manager.
Deep Silver announced back in May 2021 that the newly-reformed Free Radical was working on a brand new TimeSplitters title, featuring a number of key members from the original team including Steve Ellis and David Doak.
Originally formed in 1999, Free Radical Design was responsible for developing the first three TimeSplitters game, the first of which was a launch title for the PS2. The studio also worked on Second Sight and the disappointing Haze, before shutting down in 2008 after going bankrupt.
The remnants of the studio were later resurrected as Crytek UK, where it worked on Crysis 2, Crysis 3, and Warfare. However, by July 2014 Crytek announced that it was conducting an internal restructuring program, with the UK team being transferred to Dambuster Studios.
[Source – VGC]