Free Radical Design, the development team behind the much-anticipated TimeSplitters 4, may face closure in December 2023 amid company-wide cuts by Embracer Group. Plaion, an Embracer subsidiary, has communicated the studio's potential shutdown, thanking the team for their work and promising support during the transition. According to UK employment laws, a consultation period is required before making redundancies, offering a glimmer of hope for a possible acquisition to avoid closure.

Reports indicate a significant number of Free Radical Design employees are already seeking new employment, with LinkedIn profiles suggesting more than half of the studio's staff is on the job market. This unfortunate development comes on the heels of Embracer Group's recent workforce reduction of 904 employees—a consequence of a failed $2 billion funding deal. With more layoffs potentially looming, the fate of Free Radical Design and the future of TimeSplitters 4 seem uncertain.

Gamers eagerly awaiting TimeSplitters 4 are left to wonder what this news means for the development of the game, which has been anticipated since Free Radical Design's reformation in 2021. The studio's closure would be a blow to fans of the classic shooter series, raising concerns about the influence of large-scale mergers and acquisitions on creative endeavors within the gaming industry.