Reports have emerged suggesting that Free Radical Design, the studio behind TimeSplitters, may be at risk of closure. Embracer, the parent company of Free Radical, has apparently informed staff that the studio could be shut down before Christmas. This news comes as other Embracer-owned studios, including Volition, the makers of Saints Row, have recently faced layoffs and closures. Although Embracer has not made an official statement regarding the fate of Free Radical, Lars Jannsen, the VP of Embracer subsidiary Plaion, has reportedly privately informed employees about the potential closure on December 11th.
An Uncertain Future for Free Radical
Based on the information provided, Free Radical Design is currently in a 30-day consultation process to determine the possibility of layoffs. However, the situation seems discouraging, as over half of the studio’s employees listed on LinkedIn have already expressed their intention to seek new employment opportunities. While there is a chance that Free Radical could avoid closure if it is acquired before December 11th, the studio’s outlook appears bleak. Despite being resurrected by its original founders less than three years ago, Free Radical finds itself among a long list of studios affected by Embracer’s restructuring and layoffs.
Embracer’s restructure has had a profound impact on the gaming industry, resulting in hundreds of job losses and the closure of various studios. The recent announcement from Fishlabs, the developers of Chorus and Galaxy on Fire, confirming layoffs for more than half of their team further illustrates the widespread ramifications of Embracer’s actions. The conglomerate, which currently has over 900 employees and possibly more, acknowledges that it is still in the early stages of its restructuring process. As a result, more cancellations and closures are anticipated in the future.
Free Radical Design has had a tumultuous history, experiencing a bankruptcy in 2008 following the failure of the PlayStation 3 game Haze. However, the studio was given a second chance when it was revived by its original founders a few years ago. Unfortunately, it appears that Free Radical’s journey may come to an unfortunate end with Embracer’s potential decision to close the studio. This uncertain period puts the studio’s employees in a challenging position, and Lars Jannsen expressed his gratitude to them for their dedication and exceptional work during this difficult time.
The Deadline Approaches
The looming closure of Free Radical Design is set to occur just two weeks before Christmas if the reported December 11th date is accurate. With the studio currently undergoing the consultation process as required by UK employment law, employees face an uncertain future. Although there is still a glimmer of hope that Free Radical could be saved if it finds a buyer before the deadline, time is running out. Barring a miracle, Free Radical Design seems destined to join the growing number of studios ravaged by Embracer’s restructuring efforts.
The potential closure of Free Radical Design highlights the challenges faced by game studios in an ever-changing industry. As Embracer continues its restructuring, the impact is felt by employees and fans alike. The closure of Free Radical would not only mark the end of a studio with a storied history but also serve as a reminder of the volatility in the gaming industry.
Leave a Reply