games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


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.


Continue: More Free Radical stories





prev next

30 comments | showing # 1 to 30

Josh Tolentino's Avatar
Josh Tolentino at 02/03/2009 20:33
New Crytek/Free Radical FPS "Time Crysis" CONFIRMED
SovietMudkipz's Avatar
SovietMudkipz at 02/03/2009 20:39
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
Dan CiTi at 02/03/2009 20:40
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
Daxelman at 02/03/2009 20:49
All this FPS talk has got me wondering.

What happened to Serious Sam?
Agent Orange's Avatar
Agent Orange at 02/03/2009 20:49
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 Grim Devore's Avatar
Jordan Grim Devore at 02/03/2009 20:51
Not sure, Daxelman. I'm always up for another one.
SnakeDude4Life's Avatar
SnakeDude4Life at 02/03/2009 20:59
Looks like I need a Omega level PC to play TimeSplitters 4, as it will now use the CryTek engine.
Jaren Face's Avatar
Jaren Face at 02/03/2009 21:01
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
grafkhun at 02/03/2009 21:01
I sense good things on the horizon from this.
JJ Rage's Avatar
JJ Rage at 02/03/2009 21:10
@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
Agent Orange at 02/03/2009 21:10
I, too, could go for another Serious Sam while I wait.
Daxelman's Avatar
Daxelman at 02/03/2009 21:14
I think we could all use another Serious Sam.

Shit, I wonder if it's on Steam or something...
WarZombie's Avatar
WarZombie at 02/03/2009 21:19
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
pascuz46 at 02/03/2009 21:24
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
lazyhoboguy at 02/03/2009 22:13
ts4 might live!
Johnny Justice's Avatar
Johnny Justice at 02/03/2009 22:33
This hope is delicious.
NihonTiger90's Avatar
NihonTiger90 at 02/03/2009 22:34
If it keeps TS4 alive, I'm for it.
Two's Avatar
Two at 02/03/2009 22:34
Thank god! Timesplitters might live after all...
Wexx's Avatar
Wexx at 02/03/2009 22:36
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
gamadaya at 02/03/2009 22:46
Nice. Would this improve TS4's chances of appearing on PC? That would be the best.
GunSlap's Avatar
GunSlap at 02/03/2009 22:55
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
UmarifficCKizzle at 02/03/2009 23:12
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
whormongr at 02/03/2009 23:18
so what does that mean for battlefront? is it still going to pandemic or does free radical still retain it?
JJBro1's Avatar
JJBro1 at 02/03/2009 23:53
ya i really want that battlefront!
Freefall's Avatar
Freefall at 02/04/2009 01:02
I can taste the awesome byproducts right now. Crytek may just have saved TS4.
Kalmah's Avatar
Kalmah at 02/04/2009 02:15
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
AlucardX24 at 02/04/2009 05:50
I think this is the first time I've been happy with an acquisition in years.
Drack48's Avatar
Drack48 at 02/04/2009 09:16
Crytek engine on consoles then?
Nixium's Avatar
Nixium at 02/04/2009 11:14
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
Ninja In Distress at 02/04/2009 15:45
YES! Theres still hope to have nuns with chainsaws fighting zombies!
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos



    Win this!
    Reminder: We're giving away six copies of Magnacarta 2!



    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Mahjongg Artifacts 2 review
    Dragon Age: Origins review
    Lost Winds: The Winter of the Melodias review
    Osmos review
    Space Invaders Extreme 2 review
    Half-Minute Hero review
    JU-ON: The Grudge review
    Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble review
    Thexder Neo review
    Domino Rally review
    more reviews
    PS3's 256-player MAG
    Rooms The Main Building
    Skate 3
    Hudson's bringing back the Bonk
    James Cameron's Avatar
    Bomberman Battlefest
    Calling
    Bad Company 2's multiplayer
    Partying like it's 1959 in BioShock 2's multiplayer
    BioShock 2 through the eyes of Big Daddy
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 49654 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing
    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Jim Sterling: How to respond to a videogame review





















    More Destructoid Originals



     Popular now more






















    Destructoid's editorial lovefest is:
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief    		 Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor
    Dale North
    News Editor    		 Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor    		 Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Letters to the editors
    tips@destructoid.com
    Associate Editors
    Ashley Davis Jonathan Holmes
    Brad Nicholson Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Chad Concelmo Matthew Razak
    Colette Bennett Tom Fronczak
    Conrad Zimmerman Topher Cantler
    Dyson Samit Sarkar
    Contributors
    Adam Dork
    Ben Perlee
    Daniel Lingen
    Joseph Leray    		 Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Will Maddock
    Stella Wong







     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    		 support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    		 keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online     		seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap     		our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?



    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006