Crytek acquires Free Radical [update]

by Jem Alexander { Feb 3rd 2009 at 7:35PM }

Free Radical's future just got a little less Haze-y (we know, sorry). We already knew that an announcement regarding the developers of the TimeSplitters series and Haze would be coming tomorrow, but we may have just skipped ahead to the ending. A single anonymous source had told us that Germany's Crytek – the developer behind the original Far Cry and Crysis – have acquired the UK-based Free Radical. While writing this very post, 1UP reported that Haze scriptwriter Rob Yescombe confirmed the very same thing. We're trying to get a comment from either party (or they can get a hold of us here!).

It's not clear what the ramifications of this are: While Battlefront 3 is rumored to be in development at either Rebellion (in the UK) or Pandemic (in LA), the latest in Free Radical's longest-running series, TimeSplitters 4, could still be on the table. Of course, Crytek would have to make a few changes ... there's got to be some way they can fit the word "cry" into the title somewhere.

[UPDATE] GamesIndustry.biz has confirmed via the administrators that the sale has gone ahead. As a result, 40 jobs have been saved. A formal announcement is expected later today, when we'll hopefully find out more details.

Tags: business, crytek, free-radical, rumor

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

jorojoserojas @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:38PM

If true, I think Crytek did a great, great thing.

Cody @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:03PM

Sweet! Now with no further delay let's pick back up STAT on Wii development.

You DO like money, don't you Crytek?

KarlW @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:51PM

Indeed a good thing. Crytek gets a studio with lots of console experience, and Free Radical gets to keep existing.

FR are very similar to Crytek in a way. Both make very technically impressive FPS games, and you get the feeling both focus more on the engine than the story (although Crytek do at least include one).

Maverick Saturn @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:42PM

Please be true, please be true, please be true, please be true, please be true, please be true, please be true

Lennoko @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:42PM

Battlefront 3, Oh my god. Please let it be true.

The Dark Wayne @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:59PM

I endorse this statement

Lennoko @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:03PM

May just be me, but this is the best cluster of news in a LOOONG time.

PSN: slycooper_rocker (The Agent of Orange) @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:20PM

agreed wholeheartedly

Ratfoot @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:42PM

Awesome glad to see they got picked up it would be a shame if they just disappeared.
However I'm not looking forward to Star Wars: Battlecry 3

The Dark Wayne @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:00PM

wtf

J-Link @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:09PM

Battlecry?!

Jerk Face @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:17PM

It was a Crysis / Far Cry / Crytek joke noobs. Jeez.

Nytemare @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:47PM

Timespliters 4: Cry Your Heart Out

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:49PM

I was thinking on Crysplitters.

Maverick Saturn @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:50PM

More like Crysplitters :)

Nytemare @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:51PM

or Crymespliters?

Nytemare @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:51PM

*Crymesplitters

Maverick Saturn @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:54PM

Both sound good to me

DemonGSides @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:09PM

No! Just... leave it at TimeSplitters please. Good lord, that series has never had a bad game, and anyone who says differently hates life.

YOU HEAR ME? HATES. LIFE.

Tehman @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:16PM

Hah... this might be stupid but I laughed...

"Time Crysis"

Maverick Saturn @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:48PM

Best one yet, but they'd have to ask Namco for permission to use that title :S

Markez (Rubberband Banjo till Death) @ Feb 3rd 2009 10:01PM

DemonGSides is correct. FUCK those games rule.

Megadanxzero @ Feb 4th 2009 4:36AM

It'd have to be Time Cryers or something... You can't remove Time from the name, it's kind of important

Heyyou27 @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:50PM

While Haze was pretty bad, Free Radical has done some good things in the past, and I'd love to see Crytek help get them back on their feet.

Maverick Saturn @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:56PM

Haze 2 :)

wonderweazel @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:05PM

I think a HAZE sequel wouldn't be a bad thing. The original had some good Ideas, but was lacking in a few areas.(maybe I'm being a bit generous). I think a that as a company free radical deserves another shot. Thats for true.

BananaBoat @ Feb 3rd 2009 10:27PM

Your generosity might qualify you for sainthood. Haze was a complete disaster. Not only that, it was basically a huge punch to the metaphorical balls of their finances.

Haze 2 isn't happening. Unless Crytek goes batshit crazy.

Maverick Saturn @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:51PM

Oh Noz, the next Timesplitters will require the most High Spec PC, PS3 and 360 you can find >.

kilikafinal @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:53PM

time splitters 4: cry for time

kilikafinal @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:54PM

time splitters 4: crysis( with a crysis easter egg costume!)

Premature ejaculation man @ Feb 3rd 2009 7:53PM

Timesplitters using the Cry engine 2 =o

PS3Homie @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:01PM

Crysis coming to the PS3 finally??? I'm good because I already got it for the PC but I would like to see Crysis 2 on next gen systems.

Lennoko @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:07PM

Wait, what? Where'd you pull that out of?

Einhanderkiller @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:19PM

lol, srsrly. How'd you get "Crysis coming to the PS3" out of "Crytek acquires Free Radical"?

By the way, it's current-gen now.

DangerMouse @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:36PM

I mean, yeah, because Haze did so well on the PS3, why not stick around there.

deanb @ Feb 4th 2009 6:05AM

I dunno why your statement is surprising people. Crytek stated huge piracy had put them off PC development(or at least sole PC development). They've also been on the look out for PS3 developer's. Then theres this news they're about to acquire a whole studio of PS3 developer's. So anyone who can't make a vague leap of logic obviously doesn't want to see Crysis appear on Console's.

PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Feb 4th 2009 7:41AM

@Einhanderkiller: no he means NEXT Gen, as in Xbox 3 & PS4. Crytech said a while back that they wanted the devkits & Specs of those systems as SOON as they are available.

J-Link @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:01PM

Dear God!

PSIJunkie @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:15PM

Oh my God! TimeSplitters 4 might come out after all!

time @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:15PM

This is a great thing. A great great great great thing. If only they still had the BFIII license. Shame on you Lucas!

The Dark Wayne @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:04PM

aw damn, so they really did give it away? Damn, then I guess all that work they already did on BF3 is gone isnt it?

time @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:24PM

Yeah... all that work in they did for that awesome footage that was leaked will never be released. Makes me sad to think about it.

Noshino @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:16PM

You Again! NO!

Alex @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:28PM

I hope this is true! I love Crytek!!

I wish Crytek could make the next BattleFront game though, omg that'd be amazing!!

Maverick Saturn @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:49PM

Oh god, the return of Vanille

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:57PM

What's really creeps me out is that we all know he is a dude and still he insist on using a female avatar, every single time.

I mean we all love the ladies, I’m a big fan of the ladies but there is a line between just being a man and being a drag queen.

No offense but seriously dude.