Well, this will be somewhat exciting news for longtime fans of “TimeSplitters 2″. The developer, Free Radical Design, had an HD version of the game in development right before the studio’s unfortunate shut down according to what an ex-Rare employee has stated. Team members Steve Ellis, Martin Wakeley and Lee Musgrave divulged the new information in an interview. “We had an ‘HD’ downloadable version of TimeSplitters 2 in development at Free Radical in 2008,” ex-Goldeneye programmer Ellis explained. “I don’t know what happened to that but yes, I’d love to see it released at some point.
“Maybe it could be the catalyst that is required in order to raise enough interest in TimeSplitters 4 that a publisher might want to fund it. Rare outsourced some of the conversion/development of Banjo Kazooie for Xbox Live Arcade, and it was kind of a test case for us to see what could be achieved in terms of developing with a partner, keeping our costs low and making some revenue,” Musgrave explained. “You can make your own conclusions as to how that turned out by the fact that we didn’t move on to any of the other games you mention. We came close to firing off a conversion of Killer Instinct a few times, but there were licensing obstacles to that, and it never really had enough perceived interest to push it forward.” Other franchises from the group’s Rare days have also struggled to make a reappearance, although Banjo Kazooie did turn up on Xbox Live Arcade.
Rumors are now swirling around the internet that this project may indeed be picked up by another developer. Sources are still scattered on who exactly might grab the franchise and gift of completing this much needed HD revival of a cult classic. Until then we the gamers will have to wait and see what exactly comes of this, and who will finish the job. For more news on this or any other topic be sure to keep it locked onto Gamers Xtreme, and as always, “Game On!”
