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.
Does any of this surprise you at all anymore? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 29
Seems like every Embracer dev has been mismanaged
Keeping the studio in suspense like that just seems really low. Goodness knows how much stress it's causing the staff.
So many devs and so many game IP's just thrown away in a year from just one owner...
All those potential sequels, new games or even remakes just poof out of existence.
Not to mention everyone affected by these closures, this is just f****ing sad.
I hope they're able to find work quickly 🙏
@AdamNovice yeah this is the worst past for me. What do you mean potential closure? It's your decision mate.
So Embracer basically in the end bought all these studios to shut them down. Embracer i think is one of the worst things to happen to the gaming in a very long time, they make EA seem like saints in comparison. Wasn't the original plan just too offload all these studios on to a very very shady Saudi Arabia guy or something? Dunno what's worse being shutdown or having them ruling and dictating over you or worse.
It's obvious it's gonna be closed. What is the point in giving people false hope?
That’s a big shame. I wasn’t expecting much, but I would’ve still paid for a new Timesplitters.
@jvecc @AdamNovice it’s probably down to the UK law side requiring a months notice to employees before shutting down while “looking” for potential buyers. The 11th December is most likely the end of that period.
Sony or MS should try and get this IP. While it’s not a huge seller. It has a big enough fan base and would be a great GP or PSN+ title. Embracer group is slowly showing they have no clue what to do next outside of closing down studio’s or selling them off. Embracer group is flat off awful and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see them lose more so some of these talented people can get back to work and doing what they enjoy and do best.
I'm really not impressed that Sony have not snatched free radical up as time splitters would be a cool addition to the ps5 library. I'm not impressed that Sony have not revived the resistance series or the Socom franchise because if any games deserve a reboot its those. No twisted metals or syphon filters. WTF is up with Sony. Madness.
You know, a simpleton AI could work out short term profits. CEOs are just as expendable.
Why not put the studio up for sale?
@Theaussiegamer92 Nice of you to assume that they actually make games.
Gotta laugh at a comment in here somehow making this all about Sony. Just finding any old stick to beat them with.
Embracer are the absolute worst. They gambled on being a giant publisher with money they didn't have and now talented devs are paying the price. Disgusting.
@Ainu20 Yeah it's getting boring now, oh embracer is closing down another studio? I will use this opportunity to moan about Sony instead 🙃
If I was Sony Id be keeping a close on Embracer to see who's next for the chopping block, there's a few there that I think would suit Sony well such as Gearbox, Deep Silver, Dark Horse Comics, Eidos Montreal and Crystal Dynamics.
Also what happens to all the IP's from these studios getting closed down? Do embracer still attain the rights to them? They should be auctioned off as there's other studios out there that would love to work on some of these ip's especially smaller indie level devs who could use the IP to grow.
They’re a very talented bunch, this is awful. I’m sure they’ll go on to better things, but right before Christmas is a ***** fine to have that hanging over you. I was really excited for the TS reboot too, fantastic series
Sad decision. I would of taken a Time splitters 1 and 2 remastered at least.
It's a real shame to see Free Radical end up like this, broken, forgotten, and soon to be just a wiki entry. It was Timesplitters 2 that convinced me to buy a PS2! And I guess I was one of the few who actually enjoyed Haze on the PS3 - once you got over the jank and slightyl dodgy storyline it was a decently fun shooter.
The man making millions of dollars a year + whatever he gets in bonuses is telling people who r about to lose there jobs and be broke in time for the holidays that he shares there pain is a reason y people get shot smh 🤦
Now I ou know why Sony does not buy every developer without a plan it's expensive and hard to make good games.
The RARE team that made 1997 Goldeneye game then split from RARE made these good games. When playing these games back in the day you could feel the heavy Goldeneye influence.
Honestly think this would be a great IP for Sony to own, surely it would make a compelling live service game?
I believe they are saying potentially closing to leave the door open for a last minute sale. The issue with that is it is a relatively obscure IP and unproven studio that Embracer reformed in 2021. We don't really have an idea of what state their game is in either. Not sure anyone will see that as a fit.
Embracer are honestly one of the worst companies in gaming should be this clown and all the other idiots that ran the company into the ground who are facing unemployment.
After what they've done. I hope it causes Embracer to completely fall. The company doesn't deserve to control any studios.
Crazy stuff for sure. IDK about Embracer selling vs shutting down studios, but the later sure makes no sense to the average person, especially considering many of these studios have pedigree.
Well,that's embrassing embracer
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