No future for Free Radical

Time has run out for UK independent Free Radical Design.

Rumours have been circulating for some time that the Timesplitters and Haze developer might be facing difficulties – and today various reports and our industry sources say the studio has closed.

Videogaming 24/7 first noted this morning that the developer is no longer answering its phone line, while commenters on Eurogamer’s forum have said that the locks have been changed at the office.

Industry sources contacted by Develop echoed the rumours, with one telling us that ‘something’ had happened at the company this morning.

However, none of its former staff have been available for comment.

Develop understands that the studio had come into trouble after its project with LucasArts was cancelled – purportedly some time ago – although the company’s website still mentions the collaboration.

Poor critical and commercial success of its previous title Haze, and the lack of any announced publisher for its self-funded fourth installment of the TimeSplitters series, are believed to have affected the company as well.