Free Radical Design reforming for next TimeSplitters game

Don't expect it anytime soon as development has yet to start.

What you need to know

• TimeSplitters is a first-person shooter developed by Rare alum, containing elements similar to Golden Eye 007 and Perfect Dark.
• The last entry in the series released in 2005, and ever since fans have been asking for it to make a comeback.
• Deep Silver has announced that original TimeSplitters developer Free Radical Design is being reformed to work on a new TimeSplitters game.

It's official, a new TimeSplitters game is in works with original developer Free Radical Design helming the project. Deep Silver made the announcement on Twitter, saying that it's been working to bring TimeSplitters back to life with Steve Ellis and David Doak, who served as creators of the series.

"To finally be able to confirm that the studio has been formed and that we have a plan for the next TimeSplitters game is incredible," said Steve Ellis, Studio Development Director at Free Radical Design. "While we cannot tell you anything more at the moment, we look forward to sharing information in the future."

Eager fans shouldn't expect the game anytime soon, though. The publisher revealed that development on the game hasn't even started yet. Right now the team is focused on building up the new studio in Nottingham.

Embracer Group, which owns Deep Silver parent company Koch Media, acquired the TimeSplitters IP in 2018. The series first hit PlayStation 2 in 2000 before its sequels made their way to the original Xbox and GameCube in the following years. The last release, TimeSplitters: Future Project, launched all the way back in 2005, so it's been over 15 years since the franchise has released anything.

TimeSplitters follows time-travelling marines as they attempt to thwart the titular alien species the TimeSplitters, who aim to destroy history by collecting time crystals throughout the centuries. Being made by former Rare developers, it was often compared to Golden Eye 007 and Perfect Dark, another pair of first-person shooters from the team.

No platforms were announced at this time, but we imagine they'll be coming to consoles like Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PS5. TimeSplitters may not be considered one of the best Xbox games, but it certainly received a cult following and is beloved by its fans.