Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors has reportedly told staff at TimeSplitters studio Free Radical that it is looking as though the studio will close before Christmas. The news was shared via an internal email to staff and means that the studio could close on 11th December, following the completion of a consultation process. You most likely remember that Embracer purchased numerous video game studios and has since shed them at record speed causing a number of job losses and closures at some fantastic studios. Here’s what was said in the internal email to staff by Lars Wingefors via VGC:
“As we move through the consultation process and face the potential closure of Free Radical Design on 11 December 2023, I want to express my gratitude for your commitment and the remarkable work you’ve done and still keep doing,” he wrote.
“This is a challenging time for all of us but especially for you, and our focus is to support you as much as we can during this transition.”
I remember timesplitters 2 being one of my favourite games all those years ago, a quality fps for its generation.
If only it could be revived one day
Next I’m pretty sure Retro Studios are going to be next on their list.
How so? Free radical was own by deepsilver which was bought by embracer a bit back. Retro is own by Nintendo.
Yes your right.
Probably worth noting that Embracer was responsible for resurrecting Free Radical in the first place. (Prior to that it had been part of Crytek from 2009, and effectively defunct as of 2014.)
Timesplitters 2 was one of my favourite games ever. Such personality.