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TimeSplitters
Genre(s)	First-person shooter
Developer(s)	Free Radical Design (2000-2005)
Publisher(s)	Eidos Interactive (2000-2002) Electronic Arts (2005)
Creator(s)	David Doak
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox
First release	TimeSplitters October 23, 2000
Latest release	TimeSplitters: Future Perfect March 21, 2005

TimeSplitters is a series of

The look of the series is substantially more stylized than most modern first person shooters with character models and expressions emphasizing more cartoon-like qualities and comic book-inspired design. Many of the characters represent instantly recognizable parodies of established pop culture stereotypes (such as the aristocratic English explorer or the suave secret agent). Many aspects of the series also focus on often surreal and self-deprecating humor. The main antagonist in each of the games are the TimeSplitters, a race of aliens who wreak havoc on humanity throughout time as well as their supposed creator Jacob Crow.

Crytek currently owns the rights to the franchise.^[1]

Games

TimeSplitters

The first game was released as an exclusive launch title for the PlayStation 2. The game features levels taking place in different time periods between the years 1935 and 2035.

TimeSplitters 2

Unlike its predecessor, the second game was also released for the Xbox and GameCube in addition to the PlayStation 2. It expanded heavily on the first TimeSplitters and featured a story that contains characters that would later be used in this game's sequel.

TimeSplitters: Future Perfect

The third game in the series was notably published by Electronic Arts as opposed to Eidos Interactive that published the previous two games. This game's story has a bigger role in the game than the previous two installments. This game had online capabilities for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions of the game, but the feature was omitted from the GameCube version.

TimeSplitters 4

In June 2007, the

"I'm sure it's possible to do a control scheme that works," Doak added, when asked about his thoughts on developing a first-person shooter for Wii.[11] An early logo for the game was a spoof of the Gears of War logo with a monkey head replacing the skull. There was some concept art for a monkey in Master Chief's armour. Similarly, videos and screenshots of a monkey driving a heavy mechanical diving suit similar to ones featured in BioShock have been released on the developer's website. Because of this, it is expected that there will be more in-game "potshots" of those games as well as other gaming franchises.^[9] Yescombe from Free Radical Design confirmed that prediction.^[10] Free Radical Design mentioned that TimeSplitters 4 will not use the much-criticised Haze engine, instead opting for some "new and double shiny tech".^[12]

This game was in development for almost a year but since Free Radical was bought out by Crytek after going into administration, little information has been released since. On August 17, 2009, the project had officially been declared as on hold. In an interview,

In 2012, Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli noted that expressed desire to work on the project, but also noted concern about the possible reception. He mentioned that he's been suggested crowdfunding a sequel, but deemed it inappropriate for a larger company such as Crytek.^[15] Yerli's comments about a possible crowdfunding campaign have ignited a petition to encourage such a venture, which Yerli himself has endorsed - as of February 2014, the page counts about half the supporters of the desired 100,000.^[16]

On 27 April 2012, a spokesperson from Crytek confirmed that Timesplitters 4 was "not in development".

Story mode consists of a series of missions featured in each game that can be played with either one or two players. In the first TimeSplitters, this is based upon the retrieval of a key object and its successful return. TimeSplitters 2 and TimeSplitters: Future Perfect had additional objectives and more complex levels.

Arcade mode

Arcade mode is the multiplayer aspect of the TimeSplitters series. The games are notable for having numerous multiplayer modes including the traditional

TimeSplitters 2 introduced Arcade League which are single player challenges, similar to Challenge mode, but arcade league challenges can be recreated in Arcade Mode. There are three leagues of increasing difficulty, and all challenges must be completed to at least a bronze level before access to the next league is granted. Rewards, such as extra characters for Arcade Mode, are given for successful completion.

Challenge mode

Challenge mode, available in all games of the series, consists of sets of single player challenges. The challenges range from collecting bananas as a monkey to shooting cardboard cutouts. In TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect challenges are unique and cannot be recreated through Arcade Mode, but in TimeSplitters many of the challenges are based around a pre-set Arcade match. Rewards, such as extra characters for Arcade Mode, are given for successful completion.

Time crystals

The time crystals are the nine green crystals used by the TimeSplitters to travel through time. In TimeSplitters 2, one of the objectives in each level revolved around collecting one of the time crystals. In Future Perfect the time crystals were brought to Earth to power a time machine created by the humans and the central objective of the game is to destroy them.

Monkeys

Monkeys have been featured in TimeSplitters 2 and TimeSplitters 3. In the second game, monkeys could be seen in the story level called