Free Radical Design gets shut down, new Timesplitters game canceled

Free Radical Design

THQ Nordic parent company Embracer Group has been going through a painful restructuring that has affected many, with the latest casualty being Free Radical Design.

The British game developer was originally founded back in 1999 by former Rare developers, and went on to make the acclaimed TimeSplitters first-person shooter and its sequels.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we must announce yet another difficult decision,” a Plaion representative said to PC Gamer. “Today, we have to confirm the official closure of Free Radical Design, and say goodbye to many remarkable, talented and hard-working people.

They added, “We are beyond grateful for their incredible contributions to Plaion and wish them the best of luck and success on their professional journey from here on out.”

The developer struggled in the years after their original two hits and eventually went bankrupt in 2008, only to get bought by Crytek. Eventually they got closed the first time in 2014, while most of its staff got transferred to then-newly formed Dambuster Studios.

Later, in 2021 Embracer Group announced they had reformed Free Radical Design and the studio was working on a new TimeSplitters title, as they now owned the IP. We haven’t heard anything on the new title since then, only now the studio is closed and the game cancelled.

Other studios affected by the Embracer Group restructuring include Saints Row developer Volition, Fishlabs, and reportedly more studios to come.

, ,

About

Owner and Publisher at Niche Gamer and Nicchiban. Outlaw fighting for a better game industry.


Where'd our comments go? Subscribe to become a member to get commenting access and true free speech!