Embracer Group could close TimeSplitters dev Free Radical Design

A new report suggests that Free Radical Design, the developer behind the upcoming new TimeSplitters game, could be closed by Embracer Group.

Heidi Nicholas

Published 09 Nov 2023

Free Radical Design, the revived studio that was working on a new TimeSplitters game, is now reportedly on the point of a potential closure by parent company Embracer Group.

Back in 2021, publisher Deep Silver announced that a new TimeSplitters game was set to enter development and that it would come from a reformed Free Radical Design (the original developers). The announcement wasn't confirming that development had already started, but that it would commence "in the coming months." Since then, it's been pretty quiet on the TimeSplitters front.

Now, however, it seems as though Free Radical Design could be one victim of the restructuring going on at parent company Embracer Group, which was announced earlier this year, and which was to result in studio closures, game cancellations, and layoffs.

Embracer Group's restructuring announcement came in June — in the months since then, Saints Row developer Volition has been shut down, and we've learned that Borderlands developer Gearbox could be sold too.

Now, it seems Free Radical Design could be next: a report from VGC says that sources claim Free Radical Design employees have been told that the studio could close. VGC notes that there's a possibility the studio could stay open but that it's already seen at least 15 Free Radical Employees say they're looking for work.

We'll keep an eye out for any official word from Free Radical Design or Embracer Group, but we're really hoping that this one turns out to be false. The world needs more Timesplitters.

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Written by Heidi Nicholas

Heidi tends to lean towards indie games, RPGs, and open-world games on Xbox, and when not playing Disney Dreamlight Valley, happily installs every new wholesome game that appears on Xbox Game Pass, before diving back into favorites like The Witcher 3. She's looking forward to Age of Mythology Retold, Everwild, Fable, and Avowed on the Xbox horizon. Heidi graduated with an MA in English Literature before joining the TrueAchievements team.