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Free Radical was purchased by ... Crytek? photo

As was teased yesterday, TimeSplitters developer Free Radical Design's fate was to be revealed on February 4, but it looks like someone couldn't keep quiet about the exciting news -- the company has been bought by Crytek.

Haze writer and all-around funny guy Rob Yescombe broke the news to 1UP, saying that "After seven long weeks of uncertainty, I can confirm that Free Radical is now out of the woods. We've been bought by a really, really good company."

"It's the smoothest deal we've ever done. It all went through quickly, efficiently, fantastically...," continues Rob. He also says he hopes Free Radical can get back to its previous size, and that he's unsure what'll happen to TimeSplitters 4.

"We'll find out over the coming weeks," he finishes. Please, oh please don't let TS4 become a causality; the concept art was too unbelievably cool to go to waste.


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30 comments | showing # 1 to 30

Josh Tolentino's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 20:33
Josh Tolentino
New Crytek/Free Radical FPS "Time Crysis" CONFIRMED
SovietMudkipz's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 20:39
SovietMudkipz
Why would the developer of one of the most memorable shooters of recent memory (and that means a hell of a lot considering how many shooters are on the market) have any interest in acquiring the developer who slapped together one of the most forgettable shooters of recent memory?
Dan CiTi's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 20:40
Dan CiTi
Maybe they can teach them something. I've had way more fun with Crysis and Crysis Warhead than I have with any Free Radical FPS, and yes even GoldenEye/Perfect Dark.
Daxelman's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 20:49
Daxelman
All this FPS talk has got me wondering.

What happened to Serious Sam?
Agent Orange's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 20:49
Agent Orange
I can't think of another shooter that I actually had more fun playing than TimeSplitters 2. I am remaining cautiously optimistic for TS4.
Jordan Devore's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 20:51
Jordan Devore
Not sure, Daxelman. I'm always up for another one.
SnakeDude4Life's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 20:59
SnakeDude4Life
Looks like I need a Omega level PC to play TimeSplitters 4, as it will now use the CryTek engine.
Jaren Face's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 21:01
Jaren Face
Why hello Jo Beth. I hope you get to be my AI Controlled partner again soon.

I hope this means a proper TS4 release. The franchise is responsible for some of my most memorable FPS experiences of the last generation.
grafkhun's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 21:01
grafkhun
I sense good things on the horizon from this.
JJ Rage's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 21:10
JJ Rage
@SovietMudkipz

Dude, what?

Free Radical was founded by a bunch of guys who were responsible for Goldeneye 64 and the original Perfect Dark.They're also the folks behind the TimeSplitters games. Every single one of the above games has been more memorable than Crysis, and you don't need a $2000 PC to play them.

Haze was a stumbling block that could be blamed just as much on Ubisoft.
Agent Orange's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 21:10
Agent Orange
I, too, could go for another Serious Sam while I wait.
Daxelman's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 21:14
Daxelman
I think we could all use another Serious Sam.

Shit, I wonder if it's on Steam or something...
WarZombie's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 21:19
WarZombie
If TS4 does see the light of day, expect it to have some serious fucking graphics. Srsly.

On another note, I hope they still get to develop Star Wars Battlefront III (Not sure if they lost the rights when their future was uncertain).

Thank goodness they were saved. Free Radical is an awesome developer, no matter what anyone says. Sure, Haze sucked (Apparently), but it was their first foray into next-gen development, so I'm more than willing to give them another chance. I can't wait to see what comes of this purchase.
pascuz46's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 21:24
pascuz46
Good Free Radical is a great FPS developer and I'm sure they will make a worthy edition to crytek and the Crisis series. I would like to see TS4 and also what will happen to Star Wars Battlefront 3, I want Battlefront!
lazyhoboguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 22:13
lazyhoboguy
ts4 might live!
Johnny Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 22:33
Johnny Justice
This hope is delicious.
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 22:34
NihonTiger90
If it keeps TS4 alive, I'm for it.
Two's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 22:34
Two
Thank god! Timesplitters might live after all...
Wexx's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 22:36
Wexx
Hooray! This is like when you have a really cute kitten that you have to give away, and you find it a good owner :D
gamadaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 22:46
gamadaya
Nice. Would this improve TS4's chances of appearing on PC? That would be the best.
GunSlap's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 22:55
GunSlap
THANK GOD! Freeradical is one of my favorite development houses and I'm extremely surprised/excited to see them bought up by one of my other favorites! Freeradical and Crytek both release games that are amazing for very different reasons, this could be one of the most awesome acquisitions ever!

But with some emphasis on the "could". I for one am very optimistic!
UmarifficCKizzle's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 23:12
UmarifficCKizzle
Please, please, please let TimeSplitters 4 happen. Aside from SW: Battlefront 3, a new SSX, and Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance, this is one of the only games that I've been itching for on the 360/PS3.
whormongr's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 23:18
whormongr
so what does that mean for battlefront? is it still going to pandemic or does free radical still retain it?
JJBro1's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/03/2009 23:53
JJBro1
ya i really want that battlefront!
Freefall's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/04/2009 01:02
Freefall
I can taste the awesome byproducts right now. Crytek may just have saved TS4.
Kalmah's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/04/2009 02:15
Kalmah
This just in, Time Splitters 4 and Haze 2 are PC exclusives. Also, if your PC doesn't cost OVER 9,000 it won't run (smoothly).
AlucardX24's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/04/2009 05:50
AlucardX24
I think this is the first time I've been happy with an acquisition in years.
Drack48's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/04/2009 09:16
Drack48
Crytek engine on consoles then?
Nixium's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/04/2009 11:14
Nixium
This is a good thing. I HOPE, doesn't mean we will, we never see something like haze again from Free Radical. They are so much better than that.
Ninja In Distress's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/04/2009 15:45
Ninja In Distress
YES! Theres still hope to have nuns with chainsaws fighting zombies!
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