EA Takes TimeSplitters Franchise

EA's second major coup this week sees the grabbing of another key franchise - this time TimeSplitters from the Eidos camp.

EA and TimeSplitters developer, Free Radical Design, today announced a distribution and publishing agreement for the next TimeSplitters game. The new title in the celebrated series will be published by EA Partners and is scheduled for worldwide release in 2005. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Originally released in 2000, Free Radical's TimeSplitters series revolutionized the first-person shooting genre by introducing players to a unique time-travelling gameplay mechanic. The innovative and compelling gameplay propelled the series to become a worldwide success.

Together with its sequel, the two titles have sold over 2 million units worldwide. The next title will take the experience further with improved gameplay, unprecedented graphics, all new story and online play, according to today's announcement.

"Free Radical has proven itself as a world-class studio by delivering consistently beautiful, exciting and incredibly fun games," said Frank Sagnier, Vice-president Electronic Arts Partners in Europe. "We are thrilled to be working with Free Radical and to be adding a new title to our growing catalogue of externally developed games."

The move follows a similar snatch from Acclaim on Monday, when EA took control of the Burnout franchise for the series' third instalment - although the details of that deal are not yet official.

Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com