The highly anticipated reboot of TimeSplitters, once seen as a potential rival to Fortnite, has taken a sharp turn in its development process. According to a former developer at Free Radical Design, the studio behind the game, the project initially began as a free-to-play battle royale game heavily inspired by the popular Fortnite. However, the developer admits that even they were not enthusiastic about this direction. Sadly, they felt compelled to go down this path due to limited options.
Earlier this year, the TimeSplitters reboot underwent a significant change in direction. The project moved away from its battle royale aspirations, opting instead to become a faithful remake of the beloved TimeSplitters 2. While the game will still offer some new and modified levels, the primary focus will be on recreating the nostalgic experience that fans of the series hold dear. The new storyline will follow Corporal Hart, deviating from the original protagonist Cortez.
The change in the game’s vision had unintended consequences, including the lack of any marketing efforts. With the announcement made back in 2021, it is surprising that there has been minimal promotional activity surrounding the project. It turns out that the developers had to work with placeholder assets and were without artists until the last year or so. This delay hindered the creation of quality art assets, resulting in the scrapping and redoing of the initial areas of the game.
It is crucial to note that the TimeSplitters reboot is entirely separate from the canceled TimeSplitters 4. The developer confirmed that there was no access to the work done by Dambuster Studios, the developers behind TS4. Fans who were expecting a continuation of the franchise were met with disappointment when they realized that the reboot was not connected to its predecessor.
Tragically, Free Radical Design, the studio in charge of the TimeSplitters reboot, was recently shut down by its parent company, Embracer. The closure brought about a wave of redundancies and studio closures. As a result, the TimeSplitters reboot project was abruptly canceled, and the entire team was laid off. Those who returned to Dambuster Studios did not resume their work on the shooter. The future of the franchise remains uncertain, with no indication of whether Embracer will explore another studio to revive the TimeSplitters series.
The cancellation of the TimeSplitters reboot is undoubtedly a disappointment for fans of the original games and those eagerly awaiting its revival. It was a missed opportunity to reintroduce a beloved franchise to a new generation and capture the hearts of old and new fans alike. The developer, reflecting on the project’s unfortunate end, expressed their fondness for the series and their hope of creating something as impactful as its predecessors.
The TimeSplitters reboot journey, rife with obstacles and setbacks, ultimately met a tragic end. The initial plan to emulate Fortnite did not resonate with the team or the fans, resulting in a necessary shift towards remaking TimeSplitters 2. However, with limited resources, the lack of marketing, and the eventual shutdown of Free Radical Design, the project was brought to an abrupt halt. It remains to be seen if the TimeSplitters franchise will ever receive the revival it deserves.
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