Time Splitters developer Free Radical is reportedly the latest team to be affected by Embracer Group’s sweeping restructuring programme, with the studio said to be facing closure.
Free Radical’s history is a long one and complicated one; the studio was founded in 1999 by a number of ex-Rare developers, and quickly made a name for itself with the much-loved TimeSplitters FPS series. In 2009, after several difficult years, it was acquired by Crytek, becoming Crytek UK, who then sold it to Deep Silver in 2014, where it became Dambuster Studios – the developer behind this year’s Dead Island 2. However, Deep Silver then announced it was forming a new Free Radical in May 2021, specifically to make brand-new TimeSplitters, with original studio co-founders Steve Ellis and David Doak at the helm.
Unfortunately, VGC is now reporting this new Free Radical is the latest studio to be impacted by parent company Embracer Group’s massive restructuring programme, which was announced following the collapse of a massive $2bn deal back in May.
Citing “people close to Free Radical”, VGC claims the Nottingham-based studio has been evaluated as part of Embracer’s restructuring process and employees have now been notified Free Radical could close. As per UK employment law, employees will enter into 30-day consultation period before redundancies can be made, but VGC notes at least 15 staff members – including a lead game designer, senior artist, and technical artist have already openly sought new job opportunities via social media.
VGC notes it’s still possible Free Radical could remain open if Embracer receives an acquisition offer for the studio, but it’s unclear how likely an occurrence that will be.
Today’s report, so far unconfirmed by Free Radical or Deep Silver owner Plaion, follows confirmed layoffs at Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics, Pinball FX developer Zen Studios, Mythforce developer Beamdog, and others as part of Embracer massive restructuring programme. It has also shut down Studio Onoma (formerly Square Enix Montréal) and Saints Row developer Volition. It’s also been reported that it’s looking to sell Borderlands studio Gearbox.
Earlier this week, Embracer’s chief operating officer announced he had left the company, calling this year “rough”.