Ever since Crytek acquired Free Radical in 2009, fans have been clamoring for a fresh TimeSplitters experience. The crowd has been loud, and while Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli told CVG in a recent interview that he wishes the game was in development, a retail release is not probable.
“We don’t want to design this as a packaged goods game that launches on a console, and even if we wanted to I don’t think publishers would like the idea,” said Yerli. “That is the truth, and that was the truth even before we bought Free Radical.”
People have shopped around in the past for a publisher for TimeSplitters 4, but no one seems to be interested in the sequel at the moment. If it were to happen, it may have to follow the recently popular free-to-play model or something similar that doesn’t require too much of an investment.
“The concept behind TimeSplitters was pitched around before we took over and Free Radical had no luck. We think even on CryEngine and with Crytek behind it there would be fundamental issues with the concept,” he said.
There’s obvious passion for this multiplayer-focused franchise over at Crytek, but without a publisher or understand of how big the fanbase really is, it seems another game is currently out of the question.
Would you like to see a new TimeSplitters game? Do you think a downloadable version would do the series justice? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below, or discuss TimeSplitters 4 in our forums.