Some former Free Radical devs have shared new details about the cancelled TimeSplitters, and we might not have liked it if it came out.
As reported by Eurogamer, at one point this new title, which would have been called TimeSplitters Next, would have been a Fortnite clone. No, not just a battle royale game, a clear Fortnite clone copying its entire aesthetic as well as its game design.
Rumors that TimeSplitters Next would be a Fortnite copycat or clone of some kind popped up before. However, a former employee at the studio shared video footage of the game in progress. It confirms that rumor, as the game’s UI was clearly cribbed from Epic’s online shooter.
In fact, this version of TimeSplitters Next even had its own item shop, so we could have probably expected a live service game from the studio.
It also featured recognizable elements from the classic TimeSplitters games, such as the Siberian dam, the popular characters, the weapons, down to the health/shield UI.
A previous rumor also indicated that Free Radical had changed direction, and was able to turn the project around to being closer to the classic TimeSplitters formula. As was noted then, that game was going to be TimeSplitters 2, with some content from TimeSplitters: Future Perfect, as well as some original content.
Whether these rumors were all entirely true, or some or all of the details weren’t quite right, doesn’t seem to ultimately matter. Embracer Group chose to cancel this TimeSplitters game, and along the way, they closed the studio that Free Radical themselves set up for the express purpose of working on the franchise.
The leaker seems to hint that they may release more behind the scenes media in the future, but if we were honest about this situation, the right decision to go was to have looked for another publisher that can still take the risk and publish this TimeSplitters game.
In any case, this is a completely different situation than the hacker leaks that we have been watching play out in the past few months. Perhaps even more cancelled projects could be revealed from other companies in the near future, as we ponder on these and other games that were doomed by being produced during the pandemic.
As for TimeSplitters fans? Perhaps they would be best served by opening up their sixth generation console of choice and loading up their copy of the game, in any way they can.
