Following the Haze debacle, developer Free Radical was forced into administration and then saved by large indie dev Crytek. Of course, now everyone wants to know: will the group – now dubbed Crytek UK – finally give us a new TimeSplitters ? It was Free Radical's most critically acclaimed and well received franchise, after all.
Well, according to a recent Develop interview , Crytek UK's Karl Hilton talks about the future of the studio, and although something like TimeSplitters 4 is a definite possibility, it depends almost entirely on market demand. And furthermore, they also want to make original titles, and publishers will soon here of them. Said Hilton:
"Going forward, we’ve always made it very clear that we want to build original games and we’re going to do that, and we are concepting some of that up at the moment. It’s early days, but there’s some really exciting stuff that we’re concepting. When we’re ready we’ll talk to publishers, and hopefully publishers will like it, and we’ll own and produce those games in our own studio."
Obviously, the prime focus now is on Crysis 2 , which Hilton calls a "dream project" for everyone involved. Now, most of you will likely notice the stark contrast: Crysis is all about super realistic visuals and an overall realistic style; they're really striving for the authentic stars with this one. TimeSplitters , on the other hand, has always been cartoon-y and lighthearted, albeit still fast-paced and entertaining. But it's not a question of whether or not the combination of Free Radical and Crytek could work on a new TimeSplitters ; they'll just do as the market dictates. Added Hilton:
"Like with all businesses, content is dictated by the desires of the market. These days the mass-market shooters tend to be aimed at the hyper-realistic stuff. If developers had free reign with the CryEngine, they would easily be able to produce really bizarre, wacky wonderful stuff.
We have artists who can make super-realistic games but we also have a team that has experience making completely bizarre stuff too. If the time comes, if there is a demand for that type of game, I’m confident we’d be ready for it."
So basically, they're going to need to hear it from the fans before they start work on TimeSplitters 4 . This isn't exactly surprising, but he's certainly right: you don't see FPSs like TS anymore; they really are more about hyper-realism. But there are many, many fans of that franchise out there, so perhaps they'll be vocal enough…
I would take a new Timesplitters anyday over another Crysis.
Man i used to love TS 2 on the Ps2, i loved the wackyness of it and the cartoony visuals, i also liked future perfect, so i would love to see a new one, as long as they stuck with what made the last ones great.
I'm pretty sure there's not a couple million gamers who want this to happen. I'm almost certain it would be stupid if they, I don't know, got started NOW!! sarcasm ftw lol
I'm pretty sure CRYSIS 2 would be good but I think I speak for some people when I say WE WANT TS4. Is that to hard to understand.
Well they finally have Cry Engine up and running on both consoles, so I would guess it might just be a matter of time.
yeh, they can leave Crysis 2 on that desk over there and start working on TS4, because THATS what we want.
🙂
I just wrote this on Crytek's website, (follow link below to do the same):
http://www.crytek.com/contact/
I just read an article with Karl Hilton stating that "content is dictated by the desires of the market. These days the mass-market shooters tend to be aimed at the hyper-realistic stuff. " I am writing this to let you know that I am one of many who would, even in these hyper-realistic times, love to see Timesplitters 4 make it to retail. I still, even with CoD's and Halo's and Killzone's , play Timesplitters Future Perfect and Timesplitters one and two. , not because of realism, because, when you boil it down, they are FUN to play …. over and over again.
Please bring this franchise back!
Everyone reading this, if you feel the same way, copy the above, (or make alterations as you see fit), and write to Crytek!!
Last edited by Lemon_Saint on 8/17/2009 12:16:52 PM
yeh bring on timesplitters 4!! the others were brilliant on ps2!
The Timesplitters games rocked!!! Bring on another sequel so I can killz me some more monkies. (rubs hands together in evil glee)
Timesplitters was fantastic, Probaly only theme only FPS i could enjoy, The gameplay mechanics were top of the line and the game had huge charisma, id much rather have T4 than another FPS this gen.
Market Demand?! I've been crying for another TS since the last one on PS2! WTF
I'll take another Timesplitters over all the other FPS drivel that's out there including CoD. Hopefully they'll bring it to the PS3 and not just the Wii as last I read a while back.
ts4 all the way…..ohhhh yeaaaaa
*Walks in really late*
I've never played a Timesplitters game, what's the deal with the monkey?
I suppose the thumbs downs explain everything.
^_^
oops
Must.
Have.
TS4.
so how much do i have to pay them for a haze 2?
thats in my top 3 series that a want a sequl to.
1st BLACK 2
2nd SYPHON FILTER 5.
3rd HAZE 2.
and a new time crysis would be really cool but get rid of that bloody GUNCON.
its good as a add on but its a pain in the A$$ when you have to use it.