Editing TimeSplitters (section)

=== Future and cancelled games ===

====''TimeSplitters 4''====
In June 2007, the ''[[PlayStation Official Magazine – UK|Official UK PlayStation Magazine]]'' reported on a rumour that another installment of the ''TimeSplitters'' series was in development by Free Radical as an exclusive for the [[PlayStation 3]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Torretta|first=Colin|date=2007-06-29|title=Rumor: New Timesplitters is in development as a PlayStation 3 exclusive|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-06-29-rumor-new-timesplitters-is-in-development-as-a-playstation-3-ex.html|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[Engadget]]|language=en}}</ref> In the following August, Rob Yescombe, scriptwriter for the series' previous title, confirmed that "''TimeSplitters 4'' is happening", but stated that the game was "in the very early concept stages, and as yet it's unsigned to any publisher."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Ogden|first=Gavin|date=2007-08-08|title=TimeSplitters 4 - first details|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/timesplitters-4-first-details/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|language=en}}</ref> Despite the previously rumoured PS3 exclusivity, Yescombe stated that no specific release platforms had been established.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="kotaku">{{cite web|last=Crecente|first=Brian|date=August 8, 2007|title=Free Radical Talks TimeSplitters 4|url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/original/free-radical-talks-timesplitters-4-286995.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823031849/http://kotaku.com/gaming/original/free-radical-talks-timesplitters-4-286995.php|archive-date=August 23, 2009|access-date=November 10, 2010|publisher=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> "I'm sure it's possible to do a control scheme that works", co-creator David Doak added, when asked about his thoughts on developing a first-person shooter for the [[Wii]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bishop|first=Stuart|date=2007-09-25|title=Free Radical eyeing Wii for TimeSplitters 4|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/free-radical-eyeing-wii-for-timesplitters-4-10/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|language=en}}</ref> Of the game's timeline, Yescombe stated that "the game's not a very long way away but it's not a very short way away either. It's somewhere in the middle."<ref name=":0" />

A further announcement of the game took place on the Free Radical website the following October.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Siegel|first=S.|date=2007-10-10|title=Timesplitters 4 officially official|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-10-10-timesplitters-4-officially-official.html|access-date=2021-05-21|website=[[Engadget]]|language=en-US}}</ref> An early logo revealed for the game was a parody of the ''[[Gears of War]]'' logo, with a monkey head replacing the skull from the original.<ref name="kotaku" /><ref name="news">{{cite web|date=June 28, 2007|title=OPM UK confirms new TimeSplitters game|url=http://ps3.qj.net/OPM-UK-confirms-new-Timesplitters-game/pg/49/aid/96263|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319071204/http://ps3.qj.net/OPM-UK-confirms-new-Timesplitters-game/pg/49/aid/96263|archive-date=March 19, 2009|access-date=November 10, 2010|publisher=QuickJump}}</ref> Free Radical also sent out an early [[Teaser campaign|teaser trailer]] depicting a monkey in [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]]'s combat armour from the ''[[Halo (franchise)|Halo]]'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jarvis|first=James 10|date=2007-10-10|title=Halooo TimeSplitters 4!|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/halooo-timesplitters-4/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|language=en}}</ref> This led to expectation of "in-game potshots" at those games and other gaming franchises,<ref name="news" /> a prediction confirmed by Yescombe:<blockquote>"In the past ''Timesplitters'' has been very satirical at the expense of movies, this time it will be satirical at the expense of video games."<ref name="kotaku" /></blockquote>Free Radical released further details on ''TimeSplitters 4'' in 2008, mentioning that it would not use the much-criticised ''[[Haze (video game)|Haze]]'' engine, instead opting for some "new and double shiny tech;"<ref>{{cite web|last=Blattberg|first=Eric|date=2008-08-30|title=TimeSplitters 4 eschews Haze engine, TS2 HD remake hinted|url=http://www.psu.com/TimeSplitters-4-eschews-Haze-engine,-TS2-HD-remake-hinted-News--a0004693-p0.php|access-date=November 10, 2010|website=PlayStation Universe}}</ref> however, after going into administration, Free Radical was bought out by [[Crytek]] and rebranded as Crytek UK in February 2009.<ref name=":31">{{Cite web|last=Onyett|first=Charles|date=2009-02-04|title=Crytek Purchases Free Radical|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/05/crytek-purchases-free-radical|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Following this acquisition, the ''TimeSplitters'' project was subsequently placed "on hold."<ref name=":32">{{Cite web|date=2020-11-16|title=[UPDATE] THQ Nordic say the TimeSplitters 2 leak was a joke|url=https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2020/11/16/timesplitters-2-remake-leak-ps5-xbox-series-x-s-ps4-xbox-one-switch/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=The SixthAxis|language=en-US}}</ref> In a later interview, co-creator Steve Ellis confirmed that:<blockquote>"''TimeSplitters 4'' was in the very early stages of development when Free Radical went into administration ... A small playable demo was shown to several publishers, but it didn't attract any publishing deals."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2012-11-27|title=Ex-Free Radical devs reveal why publishers turned down TimeSplitters 4|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-27-ex-free-radical-devs-reveal-why-publishers-turned-down-timesplitters-4|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref></blockquote>The poor reception for Free Radical's previous game, ''Haze'', was cited as one of the main reasons for the lack of publisher interest, alongside the lack of marketability for "a game that is based around a diverse set of characters and environments."<ref name=":1" />

On June 14, 2011, the website VideoGamer.com, citing "a high-ranking industry source at Crytek," revealed that the company was working on a new ''TimeSplitters'' game, to be released on "the next generation of consoles" (the successors to the [[Xbox 360]] and PlayStation 3). The game was expected to utilize [[CryEngine 3]] and [[DirectX]] 11 technology.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gaston|first=Martin|date=2011-06-14|title=Xbox 720 'likely' at E3 2012, Crytek on board|url=http://www.videogamer.com/news/xbox_720_likely_at_e3_2012_crytek_on_board_2.html|access-date=June 14, 2011|website=VideoGamer.com}}</ref> In 2012, Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli expressed desire to work on the project, but also noted concern about its possible reception. He mentioned that [[crowdfunding]] a sequel had been suggested to him, but deemed doing so to be inappropriate for a larger company such as Crytek.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/353240/crytek-ceo-weighs-options-for-timesplitters-4/|title=29 PlayStation 4 mockups|first=Greg|last=Henninger|date=February 14, 2013|work=GamesRadar+}}</ref> Yerli's comments about a possible crowdfunding campaign prompted a [[petition]] to encourage such a venture, which Yerli himself endorsed; however, as of February 2014, the petition's page had reached only approximately half of the desired 100,000 supporters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/kickstarter-petition-started-for-timesplitters-4/|title=Kickstarter Petition Started for TimeSplitters 4|work=EGMNOW.com|access-date=February 18, 2014|archive-date=December 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212093032/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/kickstarter-petition-started-for-timesplitters-4/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 27, 2012, a spokesperson from Crytek confirmed that ''TimeSplitters 4'' was "not in development",<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Richard|date=2012-04-27|title=Crytek: TimeSplitters 4 is not in development|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012-04-27-crytek-timesplitters-4-is-not-in-development.html|access-date=2020-11-25|website=[[Engadget]]|language=en}}</ref> and in June 2012, Yerli stated that:<blockquote>"Look, I wish we were working on it. The thing with ''TimeSplitters'' is, if we made a sequel to ''TimeSplitters'', nobody would accept this apart from some fans, and we don't know how big the fan community is unfortunately."<ref>{{cite web|date=2012-06-11|title=Crytek CEO weighs options for TimeSplitters 4|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/353240/crytek-ceo-weighs-options-for-timesplitters-4|website=[[Computer and Video Games]]}}</ref></blockquote>In July 2013, [[TechRadar]] spoke to Ellis who, when asked if ''TimeSplitters 4'' would ever be released on [[Eighth generation of video game consoles|8th generation consoles]] (such as [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]]), replied with a statement suggesting it was highly unlikely:<blockquote>"I don't think there's any chance that's going to happen, you always got to the point where the marketing person in the room would say 'I don't know how to sell this' because they want a character that they can put on the front of the box. Every marketing person and every publisher we spoke to [said] 'You can't have that as your selling point' and maybe the sales figures of previous games backed that up."<ref>{{cite web|author=Langley|first=Hugh|date=2013-07-18|title=No chance of TimeSplitters 4 on Xbox One or PS4|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/timesplitters-developer-no-chance-of-timesplitters-4-on-xbox-one-or-ps4-1166815|work=[[TechRadar]]}}</ref></blockquote>This prediction was made more concrete by the shutdown of Crytek UK in 2014, with the majority of the company's staff moving to [[Deep Silver]]'s [[Dambuster Studios]].<ref name=":33">{{Cite web|last=Hood|first=Vic|date=2019-08-14|title=TimeSplitters is coming back for another round of multiplayer madness|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/timesplitters-is-coming-back-for-another-round-of-multiplayer-madness|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[TechRadar]]|language=en}}</ref>

In April 2018, a collection of previously unrevealed concept art for the game was made available on [[Reddit]], showing characters from multiple time periods and locations, including Ancient Greece and 1950s United States.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2018-04-18|title=Concept art for cancelled TimeSplitters 4 shows never-before-seen characters|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-04-18-cancelled-timesplitters-4-concept-art-shows-never-before-seen-characters|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref>

====''TimeSplitters Rewind''====
On November 29, 2012, it was revealed that, partly in response to a petition for the release of an [[High-definition video|HD]] version of the series' original trilogy,<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Tach|first=Dave|date=2012-11-29|title=Facebook group receives Crytek's blessing to remake TimeSplitters, calls for modders|language=en|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/11/29/3707228/facebook-group-receives-cryteks-blessing-to-remake-timesplitters|access-date=2020-11-22}}</ref> a group of fans had been given permission by Crytek to develop a ''TimeSplitters'' mod using [[CryEngine|CryEngine 3]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Farrelly|first=Steve|date=2012-11-29|title=Crytek Offers Support Behind a CryEngine TimeSplitters Mod|url=https://www.ausgamers.com/news/read/3257940/crytek-offers-support-behind-a-cryengine-timesplitters-mod|access-date=2020-11-22|website=AusGamers}}</ref> The project lead, Michael Hubicka, stated that:<blockquote>"''TimeSplitters 4'' is our ultimate goal, but first we have to convince Crytek there is sufficient demand for the series through [an] HD Collection."<ref name=":3" /></blockquote>The game, named ''TimeSplitters Rewind'', will combine "greatest hits" elements from across the trilogy.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|last=Lawardorn|first=Damien|date=2020-01-08|title=TimeSplitters Rewind to Release with 'Feasible Amount of Content' to Start|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/timesplitters-rewind-to-release-with-feasible-amount-of-content-to-start/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Escapist Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> The team have stated that, although the engine will give ''Rewind'' more of a modern look, they "didn't plan on fixing something that isn't broken."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Slabaugh|first=Brett|date=2013-03-13|title=TimeSplitters Respawns Onto PC|url=https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/122678-TimeSplitters-Respawns-Onto-PC|access-date=2020-11-22|website=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112025244/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/122678-TimeSplitters-Respawns-Onto-PC|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is expected to feature both story and multiplayer modes and to be free of charge on the PC.<ref name=":4" /> The development team originally planned to develop the game using the [[Unreal Engine 4]]; however in 2017, they revealed an intention to instead use CryEngine 3, due to concerns that the Unreal version would be unable to "use the ''TimeSplitters'' IP and would likely have to re-brand."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blake|first=Vikki|date=2017-07-24|title=TimeSplitters Rewind devs are "in talks with Crytek" to keep it going in CryEngine|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/timesplitters-rewind/timesplitters-rewind-fan-game-cryengine|access-date=2020-11-22|website=PCGamesN|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In January 2020, the team announced a shift in the game's intended release model, stating that they would begin by releasing a small, but "feasible" amount of content initially, followed later by further maps and content.<ref name=":22" /> In September 2020, new gameplay footage was released, over which the project's lead writer stated that "the game is looking and feeling really close", and has 57 people working on it.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2020-09-19|title=TimeSplitters Rewind re-emerges with 30 minute gameplay video|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-19-timesplitters-rewind-re-emerges-with-30-minute-gameplay-video|access-date=2020-11-22|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> This was followed by a further update in December 2021 which indicated that the game was entering a "second round of QA testing"; however, no release window was provided.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lara|first=James|date=2021-12-30|title=Fan-Made TimeSplitters Rewind Gets Development Update|url=https://mp1st.com/news/fan-made-timesplitters-rewind-gets-development-update|access-date=2022-01-05|website=MP1st|language=en-US}}</ref>

==== ''TimeSplitters 2'' HD remake ====
During an interview in 2012 about their mobile game studio, [[Crash Lab]], former Free Radical team members Steve Ellis, Martin Wakeley and Lee Musgrave confirmed that an HD version of ''TimeSplitters 2'' had been in development as a downloadable product during 2008; however, the product was never released before Free Radical shut down.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2012-10-02|title=TimeSplitters 2 HD was in development at Free Radical Design|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-02-timesplitters-2-hd-was-in-development-at-free-radical-design|access-date=2020-11-24|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> Ellis expressed a desire to see the HD version released eventually, opining that "it could be the catalyst that is required in order to raise enough interest in ''TimeSplitters 4'' that a publisher might want to fund it."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Devore|first=Jordan|date=2012-10-02|title=Sad face: TimeSplitters 2 HD was being worked on in 2008|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/sad-face-timesplitters-2-hd-was-being-worked-on-in-2008-236003.phtml|access-date=2020-11-25|website=[[Destructoid]]|language=en}}</ref>

As an [[Easter egg (media)|easter egg]] within ''[[Homefront: The Revolution]]'', developed by Dambuster Studios and released by Deep Silver in 2016, players could use an in-game [[Arcade cabinet|arcade machine]] to play the first two levels of ''TimeSplitters 2'', remade in high-definition.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2016-03-30|title=You can play TimeSplitters 2's first two levels in Homefront: The Revolution|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-03-30-you-can-play-timesplitters-2s-first-two-levels-in-homefront-the-revolution|access-date=2021-04-06|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> During 2021 interviews, developer Matt Phillips revealed that the game actually contained a full [[4K resolution]] remake of the game.<ref name=":26" /> The unlock code required to access the full version, including multiplayer features, if the arcade machine were moved to a different map, had since been lost by Phillips:<ref name=":26">{{Cite web|last=Skrebels|first=Joe|date=2021-04-06|title=TimeSplitters 2 4K Port Hidden Inside Homefront: The Revolution... But the Unlock Code Is Lost|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/timesplitters-2-4k-port-hidden-inside-homefront-the-revolution-but-the-unlock-code-is-lost|access-date=2021-04-06|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> however, he had given it previously to a friend to "leak" in a [[Discord (software)|Discord]] channel, which the friend had been banned for from the channel,<ref name=":26" /><ref name=":27">{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2021-04-09|title=TimeSplitters 2's 4K port has been locked inside the Homefront sequel for years|url=https://www.polygon.com/22375774/timesplitters-2-homefront-the-revolution-easter-egg-cheat-code-unlock-how-to|access-date=2021-04-11|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|language=en}}</ref> thereby allowing Xbox principal software engineer Spencer Perreault to obtain the code several days after the interview and share it on [[Twitter]].<ref name=":27" /> An insider source later confirmed to [[Eurogamer]] that the unlock codes were from the original game likely for testing or press versions and that the easter egg had only ever been intended to cover the first two levels; however, the fastest way to include those levels was to include the full story mode, with a "soft-lock" in place.<ref name=":28">{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2021-04-12|title=Homefront developer only discovered hidden TimeSplitters 2 codes after game shipped|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-04-12-homefronts-hidden-timesplitters-2-codes-date-back-to-the-original-source|access-date=2021-04-14|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> Dambuster only realised there was a way to unlock the full game after ''Homefront'' shipped.<ref name=":28" />

In another easter egg, this time within the November 2020 "Fallen God" expansion for ''[[SpellForce 3]]'', published by [[THQ Nordic]], whose parent company, the [[Embracer Group]], acquired the rights to ''TimeSplitters'' in 2018, players found an item for sale by an in-game vendor named "''TimeSplitters 2'' Remake."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2020-11-16|title=TimeSplitters 2 Remake not happening, THQ Nordic says|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/16/21569692/timesplitters-2-remake-easter-egg-spellforce-3-joke-not-confirmed-thq-nordic-pc|access-date=2020-11-26|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|language=en}}</ref> The item contained the following in-game blurb:<blockquote>"It's finally coming! The iconic shooter, which has stood the test of time to join the era of modern games."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harradence|first=Michael|date=2020-11-16|title=[UPDATE]TimeSplitters 2 Remake Reportedly Teased By THQ Nordic Via SpellForce 3 Item|url=https://www.psu.com/news/timesplitters-2-remake-reportedly-teased-by-thq-nordic-via-spellforce-3-item/|access-date=2020-11-26|website=PlayStation Universe|language=en-US}}</ref></blockquote>This led to speculation that the company were planning to release this remake as a genuine product; however, a spokesperson for THQ Nordic confirmed that the item was "just an innocent Easter egg" and the vendor was "a character known especially for not telling the truth."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moyse|first=Chris|date=2020-11-16|title=SpellForce 'TimeSplitters 2 remake' reference is just a joke, says THQ Nordic|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/spellforce-timesplitters-2-remake-reference-is-just-a-joke-says-thq-nordic-610367.phtml|access-date=2020-11-26|website=[[Destructoid]]|language=en}}</ref> A subsequent statement from THQ stated that:<blockquote>"The intention behind those easter eggs was pure fun. When Koch Media and Deep Silver are ready to talk about ''TimeSplitters'', they will make sure to get heard."<ref name=":21">{{Cite web|last=Beckwith|first=Michael|date=2020-11-16|title=Timesplitters 2 remake teased by THQ in Spellforce 3 expansion|url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/16/timesplitters-2-remake-unambiguously-referenced-in-spellforce-3-13601534/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Metro|language=en}}</ref></blockquote>

====Untitled ''TimeSplitters'' game====
In August 2018, [[Koch Media]], a subsidiary of [[Embracer Group|THQ Nordic AB]], announced that they had acquired the [[intellectual property]] and publishing rights for ''TimeSplitters'', with the intention of publishing future games in the series via their Deep Silver publishing company.<ref name=":25">{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2018-08-15|title=TimeSplitters has a new owner, and plans are afoot|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-08-15-timesplitters-has-a-new-owner-and-plans-are-afoot|access-date=2021-01-29|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheedlo|first=Ty|date=2018-08-16|title=TimeSplitters Franchise Gets Acquired and is Returning|url=https://screenrant.com/timesplitters-franchise-acquired-returning-thq-nordic/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[Screen Rant]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=2019-08-14|title=TimeSplitters Co-Creator Will 'Help Plot the Future Course' of the Series as He Joins THQ Nordic|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/08/timesplitters_co-creator_will_help_plot_the_future_course_of_the_series_as_he_joins_thq_nordic|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[Push Square]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> In August 2019, THQ Nordic announced in their financial report that Steve Ellis had joined the company to "help plot the future course for [the ''TimeSplitters''] franchise."<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Koch Media is ensuring classic brand comebacks are worth the wait|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-11-14-how-koch-media-is-ensuring-classic-brand-comebacks-are-worth-the-wait|access-date=2021-01-29|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=November 14, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Doolan|first=Liam|date=2019-08-14|title=TimeSplitters Co-Creator Joins THQ Nordic To "Plot The Future Course" Of The Series|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/08/timesplitters_co-creator_joins_thq_nordic_to_plot_the_future_course_of_the_series|access-date=2019-08-14|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> Ellis stated that the series' "time has now come" and expressed hopes that "the original team will join hands again."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Khan|first=Zermena|date=2019-08-17|title='Time Has Now Come' for TimeSplitters 4, Says Co-Creator|url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2019/08/17/steve-ellis-talks-timesplitters-4/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=PlayStation LifeStyle}}</ref> Later that month, Dambuster Studios, which includes several former Free Radical staff members, replied to a fan on Twitter, confirming that Ellis had a team "handling the next ''TimeSplitters'' product."<ref name=":21" /> The series' other creator, David Doak, confirmed in an interview that he "isn't directly involved with this new interpretation," but expressed a desire to see it return as a "social experience", rather than a traditional boxed-game product.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|last=Potter|first=Aaron|date=2020-07-02|title=TimeSplitters at 20: How the Cult Classic Series Laid the Groundwork for Modern Hero Shooters|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/timesplitters-20th-anniversary-2020-interview-free-radical-design-feature|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[USgamer]]|language=en}}</ref>

On 20 May 2021, [[Deep Silver]] announced via Twitter that it was reforming Free Radical Design as a new Deep Silver studio (based in [[Nottingham|Nottingham, England]], location of the original Free Radical headquarters)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moyse|first=Chris|date=2021-05-20|title=TimeSplitters studio Free Radical reunites for new series entry|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/timesplitters-studio-free-radical-reunites-for-new-series-entry-629732.phtml|access-date=2021-05-20|website=[[Destructoid]]|language=english}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Shea|first=Brian|date=2021-05-20|title=New TimeSplitters Game Officially In Development As Free Radical Design Reforms|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/05/20/new-timesplitters-game-officially-in-development-as-free-radical-design-reforms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520050934/https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/05/20/new-timesplitters-game-officially-in-development-as-free-radical-design-reforms|url-status=live|archive-date=May 20, 2021|access-date=2021-05-21|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|language=en}}</ref> to create the next entry in the ''TimeSplitters'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|title=TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design reforms with original founders|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-05-20-timesplitters-studio-free-radical-design-reforms-with-original-founders|access-date=2021-05-20|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=May 20, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> It was also announced that the new Free Radical would be headed not just by Ellis, but also by Doak, marking the return of both franchise creators amongst other "key original members;"<ref name=":30">{{Cite web|last=Valentine|first=Rebekah|date=2021-05-20|title=TimeSplitters Studio Free Radical Reforms to Make a New Entry at Last|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/new-timesplitters-officially-announced-from-new-studio-founded-by-original-devs|access-date=2021-05-20|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> however, it did confirm that development on the new game had not yet started,<ref name=":34">{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2021-05-20|title=Deep Silver founds new Free Radical Design to work on TimeSplitters|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-05-20-deep-silver-has-founded-a-new-free-radical-design-to-work-on-timesplitters|access-date=2021-05-20|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> and would begin "in the coming months", once the studio was fully established.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=2021-05-20|title=New TimeSplitters game in the works, Deep Silver confirms|url=https://www.polygon.com/22445448/new-timesplitters-sequel-announced-deep-silver-free-radical-design|access-date=2021-05-20|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":30" />

On 8 November 2023, it was reported that [[Free Radical Design]], who is owned by [[Embracer Group]], was at risk of being closed. People close to the company said that the studio was part of an evaluation and employees had been notified that it could be closed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Embracer's TimeSplitters studio Free Radical faces closure |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/embracers-timesplitters-studio-free-radical-faces-closure/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108171025/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/embracers-timesplitters-studio-free-radical-faces-closure/ |archive-date=8 November 2023 |access-date=9 November 2023 |website=VGC|date=November 8, 2023 }}</ref>
In the lead up to Christmas 2023 it was announced that Free Radical had closed. Many of its employees posted goodbye messages to Twitter and the official website was updated to read "404 Company not found :(".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/timesplitters-studio-free-radical-design-has-closed-employees-say-we-join-an-ever-growing-list-of-casualties-in-a-broken-industry/ | title=TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design has closed: 'We join an ever-growing list of casualties in a broken industry' | website=PC Gamer | date=December 11, 2023 | last1=Chalk | first1=Andy }}</ref>