Home

Free Radical Deisign Returns & New TimeSplitters Announced!

Huge news recently Deep Silver announcing the reformation of Free Radiacl Deisign and adding David Doak to the team. It was known that Steve Ellis was brought in to plan possible future direction for the TimeSplitters series.



It is very exciting to know that David Doak will be joining the studio after something that at least I had always hoped for but didn't think was very likely as he has been teaching but it seems Deep Silver is doing things right with this project having Steve and Dave back on TimeSplitters.

Lets hope as Dam Busters finish up Dead Island 2 some of the Free Radical Alums Karl Hilton, Graeme Norgate and others will be able to hop on the project.

We definately need musical mystro Graeme Norgate to pen the music for the new game it wouldn't be the same!

Unlock TimeSplitters 2 Full Game In HomeFront The Revolution!

Almost 2 months ago the push button codes for unlocking the full version of TimeSplitters 2 had been leaked via Twitter user Spencer Perreault. Later the rest of the codes were revealed. The codes allow you to unlock the rest of the Story Levels, Challenges and Arcade options.

The Arcade menu is not formatted correctly but everything can be played. There are minor glitches with alpha textures in the rain in Notre Dame and you may experience the odd crash but its a great way to play TimeSplitters 2.

The codes do not save so you will have to input them each time you play, however it appears modders have made a patch for the PC version already. There doesn't appear to be an unlock for the Map Maker option but everything else seems to be there.





Below are a couple of the unlocked TimeSplitters 2 levels Notre Dame and Atom Smasher.

Enjoy!

Goldeneye XBLA Rom Leaked!

Almost four months ago the long cancelled Goldeneye XBLA or Project Bean was leaked online. Initially a video of the Silo levels was leaked in 2008, 2016 Rare Thief on Youtube published a 30 mintue video of most of the game fully playable. In 2014 for the release of Rare Replay there was a video of the making of Goldeneye filmed that was released a year or so ago.

The long awaited game can be played in the Xenia Emulator or on Modded Xbox 360's. The game runs great has a graphics overhaul including new weapon models, character, models, skyboxes and textures. Two new multiplayer maps have been added and the ability to have all characters in multiplayer be the same height. You can still switch between the original N64 graphics at a lower resolution with the remade graphics.



It was a long time coming something I am sure hard core Goldeneye fans have longed for. It is bitter sweet after the Goldeneye 25 fan project to remake the single player portion of the game was ordered to stop development.
That game will go on as Spies Don't Die and will be released a little later then the intial plan for Goldeneye 25. You can follow their social media in the links below.

SPIES Twitter.
SPIES Facebook.
Composer Yannick Zenhausern Youtube.

THQ Nordic Aquires TimeSplitters & Second Sight

Last week THQ Nordic confirmed they had aquired the Timesplitters IP as well as Second Sight both developed by Free Radical Design in the early 2000's.

I cant help but speculate and perhaps more wishful thinking that perhaps they are currently developing a new TimeSplitters game at Dambuster Studio. They had listings looking for developers some time ago for a established AAA franchise but never listed the property they were working on. They were to be using Unreal Engine 4 on whatever game they were developing at that time.

Hardcore TimeSplitters fans that have followed might know that Free Radical Design went into administration in late 2008 and were purchased by Crytek soon after. The studio was moved and renamed Crytek UK, they worked on varios portions of the Crysis games 2, 3 multiplayer and contributed to Ryse the Xbox One launch game before releasing Homefront: The Revolution under their current banner Dambuster Studio.

When Crytek UK was dismantled due to Crytek financial trouble Deep Silver a subsideary of THQ Nordic purchased the game as they were co-publishing with Crytek and didn't want to loose their investment. They game had many set backs, loosing staff and switching studio locations and companies but managed to release the game.

Here is just some more wishful thinking for a new TimeSplitters probably the best bet would be a reboot but hopefully they will finally release a Trilogy Collection of TimeSplitters whether it be a strait up port or remaster.

My own favorite package would be a 'Radical' TimeSplitters Trilogy with 'Free' Second Sight included*. This would get Second Sight out in more gamers hands and put it in the gamers public consciousness a bit as the original unfortunately sold very poorly. Just an idea to boost interest in a reboot or sequel.

Just a few ideas and wishful thinking but it seems THQ Nordic will finally do what Crytek never did and release these games or continue the series in some way. Its nice that the franchise is back home at least with owners of Dambuster we can call them the Heir Apparent to Free Radical.

David Doak Interview on Sola & Cola

Interesting interview with David Doak former founding member of Free Radical on the Sola & Cola interview. This interview was done before THQ Nordic confirmed they had purchased the TimeSplitters property published August 3, 2018.

David Doak Interview on Sola & Cola Youtube channel.

Goldeneye XBLA Video

Well over a month ago Rare Thief on Youtube uploaded a Video showing several levels from the unreleased Goldeneye XBLA game that was cancelled just before release. I thought had better finally at least post it here in case anyone had missed it.

I had always wanted to see more of this game other than the screenshots and grainy video of the Silo that was originally leaked. Dam, Facility, Siberia and more levels are shown of what could have been. The video also shows the ability to switch back and forth to the old N64 style graphics take a look in the video below.

Perfect Dark XBLA on Rare Thief Youtube Channel.

TimeSplitters, Goldeneye & Perfect Dark Updates

I have been putting together more content on the TimeSplitters page and some more for the Goldeneye page. Things are being fleshed out a lot more but still a lot to do but one step at a time.

TimeSplitters Story mode videos, character screen shots, Arcade information and Mapmaker section has video showing a custom map, screen grabs showing off the features in the first game available.
Goldeneye Missions with screen shots, play gameplay videos, mission briefings and more.
Perfect Dark Solo Missions with objectives and gameplay videos.

Perfect Dark

Another write up and overview this time of Perfect Dark for the Nintendo 64. I do want to flesh many things out more fully in all the TimeSplitters, Goldeneye and Perfect Dark sections but this is just a start!

Click here for the full games section to navigate to the current Goldeneye and Perfect Dark pages or click the Box arts.

Goldeneye

A little write up and new section on a game that made me take notice of console first person shooters. This game was a pre cursor to what was to come with TimeSplitters and this is also a sign as to what to expect for more content as I am a huge fan of games like Goldeneye and Perfect Dark.

I still have work to do on the other TimeSplitters pages but this is where it all began. I'd like to flesh every games section out a bit more as this is still very much a work in progress.

You can also visit the games page as there will be some more indication of more stuff that I may eventually get to. In particular I'd like full sections on Perfect Dark and Second Sight as well; we'll see about the rest.

Click here for the full games section.

TimeSplitters 2 Game Section - Updated

I have spent some time updating the TimeSplitters 2 game section. I have much more planned but I have some basic information in but still need to go in depth and capture video for each section or grab screen shots where applicable.

There are now individual pages for Story, Arcade League, Arcade Custom, Challenges and Map Maker. I have some other ideas to improve things but I'll take it one step at a time as this is just a little project over the past few years. The Homefront TimeSplitters 2 easter egg seems to have re ignited my interest in updating the site and making me want to play TimeSplitters.

Click here for the full TimeSplitters 2 section.

TimeSplitters 2 Controls updated in Homefront: The Revolution with 1.06

The latest update for Homefront: The Revolution has fixed the only issue I saw with it where the crosshair was stationary in the centre of the screen; it has now been amended in version 1.06 of the update. It now moves as it did originally on consoles back in 2002 when it was originally released.

If I were to be knit picky things I wouldn't mind seeing a custom control layouts that the original had. The checkpoint system is currently not in place, although it is only two levels I suspect some people playing on hard may appreciate it but personally I don't think its a big deal. All in all it is just cool to have the option to play the game in HD on a current gen console. I will add the original game is still very playable and looks good through component cables on the Wii.

Thumbs up to the development team for adding this small fix. It really wasn't a big deal as it was very playable. I suspect some people might have actually preferred it as it likely made the game a bit more like current shooters but it now feels just like it did.

It would sure be nice if Crytek would relase the game properly or better in fact the trilogy. Perhaps we can dream that Deep Silver would buy the property and let Dambuster Studios do a nice proper release.

Click here for the full list of updates.

TimeSplitters 2 Running on PS4 in Homefront: The Revolution

Here are all of the levels found in the TimeSplitters 2 port found in Homefront: The Revolution. The game is essentially as it was the main difference I found was that the crosshair was now fixed in the middle of the screen and visible not just when using aim mode. It is also lacking the additional movement that the crosshair had in aim mode. The result of the changes are not being able to throw the mines as high to get the satellite dish in the Siberia level from ground level. Other than that it seems like a solid port of the first two levels.

On another note is the Arcade games are all included, Anaconda, Astrolander and Retro Racer, so we have easter egg games inside of an easter egg game!

David Doak Interview on The Retro Hour Podcast

This interview gives great insight for any TimeSplitters, Goldeneye or Perfect Dark fan. Dave Doak Free Radical co-founder and former director talks about his job before Rare, how he began working at Rare, development of Goldeneye, Perfect Dark and what led to much of the Goldeneye team leaving to form Free Radical. He also discusses the TimeSplitters games, Haze, Free Radicals Battlefront 3 and his current job.

TimeSplitters Rewind website & Compound teaser video.

Its been a long time since an update there is a little something I haven't mentioned on here yet that I thought I'd finally get around to. There is a team of mostly fans and apparently some Crytek employees working on a little game called TimeSplitters Rewind. TimeSplitters Rewind is essentially a fan made game that Crytek has given official approval and backing of.

Crytek have apprently been so impressed by the progress and quality that they are letting some in house developers work on the project. The game is to be released on PC and has been unofficially announced for PS3.

Click here to go to the official TimeSpiltters Rewind site.
Click here to check out the Compound level teaser video on Youtube.

Out of time: The Free Radical story

A very good couple of articles by Dave Cook at VG24/7 where he interviews Steve Ellis. They highlight Steve, Dave and company working on Goldeneye, leaving Rare in 1998, the creation of Free Radical, TimeSplitters, Second Sight, the problems with Haze, the Lucas Arts projects and the Crytek buyout.

A very good read check them out in the links below!

Out of time: The Free Radical story - Part One.
Out of time: The Free Radical story - Part Two.

The petition now sits at over 74,000 signatures and the Facebook group is approaching 44,000 likes. If you haven't signed the petition or liked the facebook group click the images on the side bar for the petition and below for the Facebook group.

Cortez TimeSplitters 4 - Call To Arms

Tom Clarke Hill the voice actor behind Cortez and a number of Free Radical Design characters in TimeSplitters and Second Sight series posted a video calling to arms all the TimeSplitters fans to support the petition.



The petition now sits over 69,000 signatures and the Facebook group has surpassed the 41,000 likes mark.

If you haven't signed the petition or liked the facebook group click the images on the side bar for the Petition and below for the Facebook group.

Petition for TimeSplitters HD collection gains support.

With the help of Reddit the petition by Daniel Wesoly Crytek UK: Create a TimeSplitters HD Collection has gained support and is sitting over 21,000 signatures. Almost 20,000 more than the 2,000 it recnetly had although still a lot less than the ambitious 300,000 goal.

Crytek president Cevat Yerli in a Game Informer interview had mentioned the petition and had this to say concerning TimeSplitters:

" There is actually a petition running online trying to bring the fan base together. But unfortunately the petition doesn't look that convincing. If the petition picks up it will be an even better argument for us. At a personal level, I'm a big fan of Timesplitters 2. For me, I would love to see the game out there, as a newborn HD version or what not. I definitely would love to see it. But the case of turning this into a business decision is still difficult, despite the fact that there was a Twitter request feed to test the waters. And now the petition, it just seems to be as we expected, as it was when it was Free Radical.

There's a very hardcore market that is very verbal about it. I would love to see this, and if the fan base approves a further petition. They're trying to call 300,000 voices, I think it's at two or three thousand right now. If they could get the petition together I would be very happy to put in front of decision makers in the company, the key stakeholders, and say "Look here. This is how it is, let's make it now."

If it can gain enough support it looks like Cevat Yerli is willing to try to make it happen. To be honest I never thought it would reach the 300,000 mark as having the Facebook reaching 100,000 is likely to take at least a year at the rate it is going. In my opinion having one central base would be easier than spreading it out support but maybe there is an off chance that more people will be willing to sign a petition over liking a Facebook page.

If any major gaming websites were to cover either campaign they would likely drum up a lot more support as well.

100,000 Strong for TimeSplitters 4 surpasses 38,000 likes.

The Facebook group past 38,000 likes, keep spreading the word.

100,000 Strong for TimeSplitters 4 surpasses 30,000 likes.

The Facebook group past 30,000 likes, keep spreading the word. There are also a few small updates to this site both in terms of look and content.

Crytek UK Nottingham Studio Tour

Crytek UK Nottingham Studio Tour with interviews with Karl Hilton, Graeme Norgate, Hasit Zala and more. Go to Gameswelt.tv to check it out. The video is also embeded on our videos page.

100,000 Strong for TimeSplitters 4 over 21,000 likes.

100,000 Strong For TimeSplitters 4 is now over 21,000 likes as of this update. Click 'like' below or go directly to the group if you have not already done so.

Also tweet Crytek President Cevat Yerli @RealtimeCevat and let him know how you feel about TimeSplitters.

I you have not already done so please sign the petition that currently has 18,681 signatures on it at http://www.petitiononline.com/TS4tcbd1/petition.html.

Facebook Group approaches 17,000 likes.

The Facebook group 100,000 Strong For TimeSplitters 4 is now at 16,966 likes as of this update. Click here to 'like' the group if you have not already done so.

Also tweet Crytek President Cevat Yerli @RealtimeCevat and let him know how you feel about TimeSplitters.

I you have not already done so pleas sign the petition that currently has 18,681 signatures on it at http://www.petitiononline.com/TS4tcbd1/petition.html.

Tweet Crytek President Cevat Yerli for TimeSplitters 4!

Click here to go to a contact at Crytek and let them know you want TimeSplitters.

Better yet tweet Crytek President Cevat Yerli @RealtimeCevat and let him know you want it as he recently tweeted this:

"I had 2 interviews that provoked this question, how big is the Timesplitters Community? Let me hear you!! TS2 rocks, one of my alltime favs!"

Graeme Norgate posted a link to a Facebook group 100,000 Strong For TimeSplitters 4. Click here and 'like' the group.