Free Radical Design no more?

[bobboblaw]

What's everyones take on this? Curse of the 4-lettered PS3 exclusive? (Apparently Lair devs, Factor 5, are in major financial trouble)

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/free-radical-design-latest-to-face-financial-trouble
Independent UK studio Free Radical Design closed its doors this morning, GamesIndustry.biz understands, with multiple sources claiming that staff, including senior executives, have already left the company.

It is also believed that the unnamed project for LucasArts - announced back in 2006 and thought to be Star Wars Battlefront III - has been shipped off to Rebellion, the developer behind PSP hit Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron.

One source claims staff turned up to work today to find doors locked, and instructions to meet at a nearby hotel for a final company meeting.

Last month, when contacted by GamesIndustry.biz, director Steve Ellis denied there were any changes at the company.

"Nothing unusual is happening here. Projects end. New projects start. That's how things have worked for nearly 10 years," he said then.

TimeSplitters 4 and the unnamed project were both still in development said Ellis, as were "other unannounced projects, which are in the process of being signed."

And days later, when more industry chatter questioned the future of the Nottingham studio, Ellis said that "we certainly won't be laying off any staff today. Or, for that matter, any time in 2008."

"If something happens in 2009 I'm sure we'll be prepared to comment - but from where I'm sitting, whatever happens is far more likely to be positive than negative," he added.

Calls to senior staff at Free Radical Design by GamesIndustry.biz yesterday and today have not been returned.


I know nothing is confirmed at this stage, but hopefully it's not true. FRD are one of the few developers with a great sense of humour, and even though Haze was badly received, they were a great studio. Timesplitters was great fun with mates, and I want Timesplitters 4 to come to fruition.
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Steam: bobboblaw

[mattstep]

That sucks! I was psyched for Timesplitters 4
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ALL THINGS PILKINGTON

[ANDYBALLINA]

Damn....I was looking forward to Timesplitters 4, would of been awesome on next gen and online.
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PSN: ANDYBALLINA1

[Benza]

oh snap, that sucks. Were am I going to go for my chainsaw weilding nun fetish now?
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[Vervain]

Surely someone else would pick up Timesplitters 4 if the company goes under. Surely?
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http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-6u9h.html

[IHateFrasierCrane]

Time to leave, Dr. Doak...
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[Smurf80]

Its the ways things are at the moment and its very sad, I doubt this will be the last company to hit financial trouble either.
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Thanks to segax for the sig!

[mipac]

The 2 founders of Free Radical have formed a new studio with 20 Free Radical staff, called Pumpkin Beach.

http://blog.gamer20.com/2008/12/free-radical-founder-steve-ellis-opens-new-studio/
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[G3ck0]

But Haze was a good game! I liked it, and my friends and cousin that played it liked it! I guess I just like crappy games...

[SumAznGuy]

Some of the concept art has been released and has been posted on kotaku

Bit of a shame that because Free Radical is dead, Timesplitters 4 is gone....i hope the new studio can pick it up unless they can't because they don't have the IP...Sir Chimpalot looks hell cool.

SumAznGuy
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[bobboblaw]

It seems that there's a slim chance FRD could be saved, with significant interest shown my purchasers.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/%E2%80%9Csignificant-interest%E2%80%9D-shown-buying-free-radical
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Steam: bobboblaw