Crytek shopping TimeSplitters to publishers

Having saved Free Radical Design from administration in 2009, Crytek is now in talks with publishers on plans to resurrect the British studio’s most famous IP; TimeSplitters.

Studio boss Karl Hilton told Eurogamer the group is “talking to publishers about whether TimeSplitters is a viable route”, though didn’t rule out the possibility of a work-for-hire job on another IP.

The Nottingham-based studio, rebranded ‘Crytek UK’ though with many Free Radical staff still in place, considers a new TimeSplitters game its main preference.

“There hasn’t been a TimeSplitters game for quite a while,” Hilton said.

“Obviously TimeSplitters is an FPS with a strong multiplayer element. The question is, is that the way to go with another one, or should it go down a different route, or should we be developing a new IP altogether?

“Certainly within our team there’s phenomenal enthusiasm for it and we’d love to do another one. But everyone realises it’s a hard commercial climate out there, so you’ve got to do something that’s commercial but still has integrity. That’s the balance you’re going to have to find."

Hilton said the decision to make a new TimeSplitters ultimately rests with publishers.

“If they’re keen for a TS game, then we’d be happy to do one. If they’d like us to develop something new then we’d do that.”

Parent company Crytek is at the closing stages of developing Crysis 2, which has a publishing deal with EA Partners.

Crytek UK is winding up work on the console editions of the game, and now has resources to pursue its next project.

Elsewhere in his interview with Eurogamer, Hilton explains how the Free Radical team would hope to retain the ‘Britishness’ of a TimeSplitters title if it were to be released.