Following reports in November that Free Radical Design, the UK-based developer tasked with resurrecting TimeSplitters, would be next on the Embracer chopping block, CEO Lars Wingford has acknowledged the studio's precarious position. While the company has said nothing publicly yet, VGC reports that employees received a company-wide email from Wingford, which paints things in a fairly stark light:
"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. 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."
Layoffs are brutal whenever they occur, but that "face the potential closure" part makes things really difficult. Is the studio closing, or is it just being considered? Over half of the studio's 100 staff members have already updated their LinkedIn profiles to indicate they are looking for a new position (thanks, VGC), so it seems the writing is on the wall either way.