Crytek UK looking into "viable route" for TimeSplitters, or new IP

Free Radical Design, creator of TimeSplitters, is now known as Crytek UK since their collapse and subsequent saving by Crysis developer Crytek.

Well those plucky UK devs are ”talking to publishers” about a possible new TimeSplitters game. Pondering if it should ”go down a different route” in genre?

”We’re talking to publishers at the moment about whether that’s a viable route or not,” revealed managing director Karl Hilton, talking about TimeSplitters’ return.

”There hasn’t been a TimeSplitters game for quite a while. Obviously TimeSplitters is a FPS with a strong multiplayer element. The question is, is that the way to go with another one, or should it go down a different route, or should we be developing a new IP altogether?”

”It’s down to us talking to publishers about what their interest is and where they see it going. If they’re keen for a TS game, then we’d be happy to do one. If they’d like us to develop something new then we’d do that,” continued the boss.

”Whether the TS is like the classic TS or whether the TS is a new imagined TS, that’s the other thing to discuss with them.” Publishers appear mostly receptive to a new instalment to the Timesplitters franchise commented Hilton.

”Talking to publishers, everyone is aware of TimeSplitters. It’s got a brand awareness that’s really good. Its success in different markets was quite variable. So depending on who you talk to, they either look at it as a really successful product or as a product that was almost successful but could have done better.”

If a new game were to get the go ahead then it would be keeping its tongue-in-cheek charm and overall Britishness about it, pledged Hilton. ”The thing to watch out with something like TimeSplitters is it was a bit of a game of its time, but it was quite British. It had a sense of humour to it. These days it’s difficult because the cost of developing the big budget games is so much now you need to have a broad market.”

”I don’t think it’s about sacrificing the Britishness. It’s about working out with a publisher what’s the characteristic and personality of the game. Every good game should have a personality. When you play it you should feel from the way it plays and the way it looks what it is you’re playing, otherwise you can get a very mediocre product.”

What say you, videogamer? Does the world cry out for a new TimeSplitters?