Revival of Free Radical Design Studio Announced
In a surprising turn of events, the renowned Free Radical Design studio, which closed its doors in 2008, has been officially revived under the Embracer Group. This news was first announced in May 2021, signaling a new chapter for the studio and its beloved “TimeSplitters” series.
However, the revival has been met with unexpected setbacks, as reports have emerged that the newly resurrected “Free Radical Design” has already been shuttered, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the future of the studio and its projects.
Uncertainty Looms Over Studio’s Revival
According to former employees of the studio, including studio artists Mark Normington and Adam Kiraly, QA manager Kevin Ellis, and IT manager Daniel R., the closure of the studio has been confirmed, with the official website already yielding a 404 error.
Despite this disheartening development, Embracer Group and Deep Silver have yet to issue an official statement regarding the closure, but Daniel R. has indicated that over 80 employees are facing the loss of their jobs as a result.
History of Free Radical Design
The original Free Radical Design, which gave birth to the beloved “TimeSplitters” series, met its demise following the poor sales of “Haze,” released by Ubisoft in 2008. The company was subsequently acquired by Crytek in February 2009 and rebranded as “Crytek UK.” Following the closure of Crytek UK in July 2014, the studio was reorganized as Dambuster Studios under Koch Media and Deep Silver, responsible for the development of “Homefront: The Revolution.”
After several ownership changes, including the acquisition of Koch Media and Deep Silver by THQ Nordic (now Embracer Group) in February 2018, the legacy of Free Radical Design has remained in a state of flux, culminating in the recent revival and subsequent closure of the studio.
Outpouring of Support From Former Employees
Amidst the news of the closure, former employees of Free Radical Design have taken to social media to express their sentiments. Former studio artist Mark Normington lamented the closure, while Alex Tang, another former employee, paid tribute to the talented individuals he worked with during his time at the studio. The outpouring of support serves as a testament to the impact of Free Radical Design’s legacy in the gaming industry.
After closing the studio in 2008, the revival of the studio under Embracer Group was officially announced in May 2021, and the new “Free Radical Design” had begun to develop the latest work in the “TimeSplitters” series, but the old one While expectations are high for the revival of the studio where Free Radical Design co-founders Steve Ellis and David Doak work, as well as the “TimeSplitters” series, several developers who worked at the studio have reported that “ Free It has been revealed that “Radical Design” has been closed.
This was revealed in a report by studio artists Mark Normington and Adam Kiraly, QA manager Kevin Ellis, and IT manager Daniel R., and the top page of the official website is already 404.
So far, no official announcement has been made by Embracer Group and Deep Silver, but according to Daniel R., more than 80 employees will lose their jobs.
Regarding Deep Silver’s revival of the “TimeSplitters” series, in August 2018, Deep Silver’s parent company Embracer Group acquired the “Timesplitters” trilogy and the “Second Sight” IP through Koch Media, and in 2019 In August 2019 , Embracer Group hired veteran Steve Ellis to lead the new studio, and was thought to be gearing up for a revival of “TimeSplitters.”
Furthermore, the original “Free Radical Design” that gave birth to the TimeSplitters series went bankrupt due to the poor sales of Haze released by Ubisoft in 2008, and after being bought by Crytek in February 2009, the company changed its name. to “Crytek UK”. After that, due to the closure of Crytek UK at the end of July 2014, it was reorganized as Dambuster Studios under Koch Media and Deep Silver, who bought the Homefront IP, and developed the latest work in the series, “Homefront: The Revolution. ” I was responsible for
Then, in February 2018, the then THQ Nordic (now Embracer Group) bought Koch Media, including the Deep Silver label, resulting in the successor to Dambuster Studios, the successor to Free Radical Design, and the new Free Radical Design and which coexisted under Embracer.
It’s been a great 2 and a quarter years at Free Radical Design, sad to see us go.
Onward and upward! pic.twitter.com/VEfJ29g42D
— Mark🥋🎨 (@KeighleyKicker) December 11, 2023
It has been an honor to work with these lots for the past year. All of them are amazing and talented individuals who made working here so much fun. It’s sad to say goodbye like this.
Wishing you all the best! pic.twitter.com/Gy3ZIWPNjS
— Alex Tang (@alexkmtang1) December 11, 2023
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