TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design appears to shut down as Embracer fallout continues
By Jon Porter, a reporter with five years of experience covering consumer tech releases, EU tech policy, online platforms, and mechanical keyboards.
Free Radical Design, the Nottingham, UK-based studio that had been working on a revival of the PS2-era TimeSplitters franchise, appears to have shut down. Its website has been replaced with the message “404 Company Not Found :-(” as of this writing. Several employees have posted about today being the company’s last day, and many more have set their LinkedIn profiles as “#OpenToWork.”
In its current form, Free Radical Design dates back to 2021 when it was announced that a new studio had been set up to “bring the TimeSplitters franchise back to life” under the ultimate umbrella of the rapidly expanding Embracer Group. Series creators Steve Ellis and David Doak were brought on board to help with the revival.
But fast-forward to May this year, Embracer Group announced it would be restructuring shortly after a $2 billion deal fell through. The loss of the deal, rumored to be from a Saudi investment group, has already resulted in the closure of Saints Row developer Volition and reported attempts to sell off Borderlands developer Gearbox Entertainment.
It was previously reported the studio might close today by VideoGamesChronicle. Embracer Group did not immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.
This is the second time Free Radical has closed its doors. In its original form, the company was founded by several developers who’d worked for Rare on GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark, and the studio would produce a trilogy of acclaimed PS2-era TimeSplitters games. But after the release of the studio’s poorly received PS3 exclusive Haze and the cancellation of its Star Wars:
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