In a shocking revelation, a former developer at Free Radical Design, the recently closed studio, disclosed that the highly anticipated TimeSplitters reboot had an unconventional genesis. The developer, speaking anonymously to the fan wiki The Free Radical Archive, explained that the game initially started as a battle royale clone of Fortnite. However, this direction did not resonate with the development team or the fans, leaving them feeling limited and uninspired. The project’s fate was uncertain until a decisive shift in vision transformed it into a remake of the beloved TimeSplitters 2.
The major transformation of the TimeSplitters reboot occurred earlier this year when the development team veered away from the battle royale genre and decided to focus on recapturing the essence of TimeSplitters 2. While the remake included some new and modified levels, it primarily aimed to recreate the nostalgic experience that fans cherished. The game would have featured classic TimeSplitters modes, such as deathmatch, team deathmatch, and capture the flag, all accompanied by an alternate timeline story following Corporal Hart instead of the original protagonist, Cortez.
The transition from a battle royale clone to a TimeSplitters remake presented several challenges for the development team. The lack of early direction contributed to the absence of any marketing for the game since its announcement in 2021. To make matters worse, the developers relied on placeholder assets and faced a shortage of artists until the final year of development. Consequently, the first areas of the game’s art had to be scrapped or redone entirely, causing delays and inefficiencies in the production pipeline.
It’s essential to clarify that the TimeSplitters reboot was an entirely separate project from the canceled TimeSplitters 4. The anonymous developer confirmed that they had no access to the work done by TS4’s developers, Dambuster Studios. This distinction is crucial, as it highlights the unique nature of the reboot, emphasizing its potential to deliver a distinct experience for fans of the franchise. However, with Free Radical’s recent closure as part of Embracer’s restructuring efforts, the fate of the TimeSplitters reboot hangs in the balance.
Regrettably, the TimeSplitters reboot has been officially canceled. The closure of Free Radical resulted in the entire team being laid off, leaving the project without a development studio to carry it forward. Those team members who found a new home at Dambuster Studios also shifted their focus to other projects, leaving the TimeSplitters reboot abandoned. The future remains uncertain, with no indication whether Embracer’s division in charge of Free Radical, Plaion, will attempt to resurrect the project under a different studio.
The demise of the TimeSplitters reboot is undoubtedly a blow to fans who were eagerly anticipating its release. The franchise has always held a special place in the hearts of gamers, and the potential for a successful remake was immense. Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, the project was marred by setbacks, inadequate resources, and an uncertain development path. It is undoubtedly a missed opportunity to deliver a game that could have been as memorable as its predecessors.
The TimeSplitters reboot suffered from an initially misguided vision and a subsequent struggle to find its footing. The transition from a Fortnite clone to a remake of TimeSplitters 2, while promising, proved to be a challenging undertaking for the development team. Despite their valiant efforts, the lack of cohesive direction and limited resources ultimately led to its downfall. The cancellation of the project and the team’s disbandment is a disappointing conclusion to what could have been a remarkable return of the beloved franchise. TimeSplitters fans will now have to grapple with the thought of what could have been, forever wondering if a new chapter in the series could have lived up to their expectations.
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