TimeSplitters Remake Cancellation
The highly anticipated remake of TimeSplitters may never see the light of day as recent developments at Embracer suggest that the closure of developer Free Radical Design is imminent. It appears that the company’s restructuring process could result in the termination of the TimeSplitters project, disappointing many fans of the iconic game.
TimeSplitters Developer Faces Possible Closure
An internal email from parent company Embracer has all but confirmed the potential closure of Free Radical Design, with CEO Lars Wingefor expressing gratitude for the team’s hard work and dedication while acknowledging the challenging situation. The closure is rumored to take place on December 11, 2023, pending consultations and compliance with UK employment laws.
According to UK employment laws, Embracer must engage in a 30-day consultation process with Free Radical’s employees before any redundancies can be made. This time frame allows for the exploration of alternatives to closure, such as the acquisition of the studio by another company.
Embracer’s restructuring efforts have already resulted in significant job losses, with 900 employees being laid off as of September 30, 2023. This includes the discontinuation of projects and closures of various studios, including well-known developers such as Volition, Crystal Dynamics, and Gearbox. Although the specific projects affected have not been officially disclosed, it is likely that the TimeSplitters Remake is among them.
In a related announcement, Chorus developer Fishlabs has also experienced layoffs, with 50 jobs being cut as the studio’s upcoming game, internally known as Project Black, ceases development in favor of existing co-development projects.