Next-gen FRD/Lucasarts game

[deded999]

LucasArts Joins Forces with Free Radical Design to Create New
Next-Generation Entertainment Experience

LucasArts furthers its commitment to creating unprecedented next-generation gameplay by teaming with the lauded UK-based developer

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - August 23, 2006 - LucasArts today announced an agreement with Free Radical Design to develop a new video game for next-generation console platforms. Product and release details will be unveiled at a later date.

"Free Radical has always been about titles with great gameplay and innovative design," said Peter Hirschmann, Vice President of Product Development at LucasArts. "In the battle for videogame quality, these guys are at the front of the line. This team's pedigree is one of the best in the business."

"In recent years, LucasArts has established itself as one of the hottest publishers on the planet," said Steve Ellis, Director at Free Radical, "We're honored that they're every bit as interested to be working with us as we are to be working with them."

About Free Radical Design

Founded in 1999, Free Radical Design is one of the UKs leading independent videogame developers, responsible for three of the eight best-scoring First Person Shooters on Playstation 2. It recently achieved its first listing in the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100, being one of the UKs fastest growing technology companies. Free Radical Design is now wholly focused on next-generation development. To learn more, please visit www.frd.co.uk (http://www.frd.co.uk).
About LucasArts

LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, (http://www.lucasarts.com,) LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.

Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual effects and audio post-production; and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses. Lucasfilm's motion picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and 53 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm's television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif.

FRD Press Release (http://www.frd.co.uk/game6/pressRelease.php)

Gasp! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/53.gif /falls off chair/

So what is it?

Best guess is a new Timesplitters /hopes/ although then again it could be something entirely different. The choice of publisher is quite odd IMO, although to be fair I don't know a lot about LA as publishers; this may be a new direction for them too. I suppose it's unlikely to be a SW game... /brain melts/ Please note, a new SW title is already in production from Lucasarts, so this seems very unlikely indeed.

I thought a while ago that FRD could be working on another game besides Haze, (Dave Doak and Steve Ellis don't seem to be deeply involved with Haze, at this point at least), using one team to feel out NG technology with that game while the other team plan a new game with the knowledge they've learned. They have already confirmed TS will return, so could this be the smoking tac-12? http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif

Whatever it is, this seems to be very good news for FRD... the sneaky sneaky rat creatures. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[deded999]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
LucasArts Joins Forces with Free Radical Design to Create New
Next-Generation Entertainment Experience

LucasArts furthers its commitment to creating unprecedented next-generation gameplay by teaming with the lauded UK-based developer

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - August 23, 2006 - LucasArts today announced an agreement with Free Radical Design to develop a new video game for next-generation console platforms. Product and release details will be unveiled at a later date.

"Free Radical has always been about titles with great gameplay and innovative design," said Peter Hirschmann, Vice President of Product Development at LucasArts. "In the battle for videogame quality, these guys are at the front of the line. This team's pedigree is one of the best in the business."

"In recent years, LucasArts has established itself as one of the hottest publishers on the planet," said Steve Ellis, Director at Free Radical, "We're honored that they're every bit as interested to be working with us as we are to be working with them."

About Free Radical Design

Founded in 1999, Free Radical Design is one of the UKs leading independent videogame developers, responsible for three of the eight best-scoring First Person Shooters on Playstation 2. It recently achieved its first listing in the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100, being one of the UKs fastest growing technology companies. Free Radical Design is now wholly focused on next-generation development. To learn more, please visit www.frd.co.uk (http://www.frd.co.uk).
About LucasArts

LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, (http://www.lucasarts.com,) LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.

Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual effects and audio post-production; and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses. Lucasfilm's motion picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and 53 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm's television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

FRD Press Release (http://www.frd.co.uk/game6/pressRelease.php)

Gasp! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/53.gif /falls off chair/

So what is it?

Best guess is a new Timesplitters /hopes/ although then again it could be something entirely different. The choice of publisher is quite odd IMO, although to be fair I don't know a lot about LA as publishers; this may be a new direction for them too. I suppose it's unlikely to be a SW game... /brain melts/ Please note, a new SW title is already in production from Lucasarts, so this seems very unlikely indeed.

I thought a while ago that FRD could be working on another game besides Haze, (Dave Doak and Steve Ellis don't seem to be deeply involved with Haze, at this point at least), using one team to feel out NG technology with that game while the other team plan a new game with the knowledge they've learned. They have already confirmed TS will return, so could this be the smoking tac-12? http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif

Whatever it is, this seems to be very good news for FRD... the sneaky sneaky rat creatures. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Eggy_Joshua]

when i first read this i thought, **** this will mean longer till the love of my life, timesplitters. But when i looked again i relised that it is possibly timesplitter but then again something tells me its not.

i voted timesplitters in your poll for the sheer hope that it is.

[deded999]

There's simply no way of telling at present. IMO making two non-TS NG games in a row and then going for a new TS game may be leaving too much of a gap in the series - making one new title then following with a new TS and then another new title makes more sense to me.

We may also be being deflected by their choice of publisher - FRD seem to pick a different publisher for each game (****s! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif) so the choice of LA may mean nothing more than they like the company and want to work with them. LA may also like the TS franchise and feel it fits with their NG plans - Creative Assembly (Total War series) and Sega didn't seem a very natural match either, but it happened.

On the other hand, the opportunity to produce a new game (or even a SW game) with LA may have been an opportunity FRD wanted to take up - can't say I'd blame them. One thing I'd point out is that LA seems recently to have been producing less and more-focused SW games, after the scatter-shot approach of a few years ago. SW: Battlefront also has the SW/FPS market covered, so unless they want a new direction/replacement for Battlefront, I don't see it being a SW game. Unless it isn't actually a FPS at all. The note about Free Radical's FPS history in the press release seems to suggest it is an FPS though...

[Eggy_Joshua]

yea thats a good point about the fps thing.

The thing is though that if it had been nearly any other publisher i would have felt more sure that it could be timesplitters. Simply because lucasarts mainy make sw games and not much else, althoguh your point about them branching out does ring true.

[deded999]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Eggy_Joshua:
if it had been nearly any other publisher i would have felt more sure that it could be timesplitters </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You hit the nail on the head there.

LA have also recently partnered with Day 1 Studios, (devs of Mech Assault), to produce "a new intellectual property, not based on anything that LucasArts or ILM has done previously", which suggests a non-SW game to me.

IGN (http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/725/725021p1.html)

They're also producing Indiana Jones for NG, Thrillville, (old-gen theme-park-a-like), Traxion, (PSP music game from Kuju), as well as the SW 'Force Unleashed' (working title) game, SW Empire at War and Lego/SW OT, so although there's always going to be SW games from them, they do seem to be branching out a little.

In some ways I can see LA being a good match for TS, in the way that EA should have been, but hopefully with only a positive impact on the image and development of the game. Alternatively, a Free Radical Star Wars game would just ROCK, although quite what it would be like is anyone's guess. And then again it could be a new IP. Damn, I'm going 'round in circles here!

[Xylaquin]

Pleasae please PLEASE re-phrase that. "They have already confirmed TS will return", they haven't. They have implyed it, but not directly said there will be one. I wish they hadn't though, it isn't a good idea.

But on subject i'm not sure; I havn't known LA to do anything but Star Wars to be honest. Maybe this'll be another Third Person shooter like SS2.

[frd_neko]

Ooo, what could it be, eh!? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Obviously you all know I can't say a thing about it, but it really is a very exciting project.

Regarding the Directors, they have pretty much equal input into both the projects. They tend to let most of the day-to-day decisions and a lot of the work with the press be done by the teams though, which is a nice demonstration of the trust they have for us!

And the publisher thing...it does feel sometimes like we've been around the houses a bit! But really, it just depends on which publisher is right for each project. As it happens we've been close to working with Lucasarts a number of times before, but it just so happened that this time the timing was right.

S'gonna be cool, believe me.

(Oh, and a slight OT point - sorry I've been away lately; been very busy, but it's definitely been worth it. I shall return in force when we show the game again!)

Neko.

[deded999]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Xylaquin:
Pleasae please PLEASE re-phrase that. "They have already confirmed TS will return", they haven't. They have implyed it, but not directly said there will be one. I wish they hadn't though, it isn't a good idea.

But on subject i'm not sure; I havn't known LA to do anything but Star Wars to be honest. Maybe this'll be another Third Person shooter like SS2. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Xylaquin:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">frd_Neko wrote:

... having produced three TimeSplitters games for the previous gen, we wanted to take a different direction with HAZE, both because there's styles of game and stories we'd like to tell that we can't do within the TimeSplitters universe, and also simply because we wanted to give the franchise a short rest. Would you guys really be happy if we churned out yearly TS games with each having only minor improvements over the previous version? I know we wouldn't!

TimeSplitters will return, but I couldn't possibly reveal where or when quite yet.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

(My emphasis).

If that's not confirmation then I don't know what is - sure it's not an official press release from FRD, but it's good enough for me.

As I posted above, LA do a lot of SW games, granted, but they are also doing several non-SW games and it certainly appears they are branching out more in the near future. Don't forget that until recently LA were almost as well known for their graphic adventures (non-SW) as they were for SW games. In fact, considering that such game-genres are very nearly dead in the water, there's possibly a clue there as to what kind of game they may go for next - placing an importance on story, but with high quality game-mechanics underneath. Sound like FRD-style to you?

Good to see you back Neko - looking forward to seeing the fruits of your labour. Thanks for the comments on the 'Directors', (is that what you call them? Or is it all Sir Yes Sir! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif), obviously they've had plenty of input, but as you're project lead and don't seem to be one of them http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif that would mean they have been off working on other things as well. There's also the fact that FRD seem to have grown in number over the last few years, which could also suggest multiple projects.

Oh, and even if this does turn out to be a new 'splitters, Haze'll still be getting the love too. We just need some more ammo for discussion s'all. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Eggy_Joshua]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by frd_neko:

As it happens we've been close to working with Lucasarts a number of times before, but it just so happened that this time the timing was right.

S'gonna be cool, believe me.


Neko. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


i like that part cause if you were close to working for them before then that would probably mean for timesplitters.
And mabey this time was no different??

[deded999]

Ha ha ha, good point Eggy. And did you notice how he said the word 'time' three times in one sentence? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Xylaquin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">frd_Neko wrote:
TimeSplitters will return, but I couldn't possibly reveal where or when quite yet.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nooooooooooooo!! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/bigtears.gif

-A trilogy was fine!
-There was no "TimeSplitters will return" in TSFP
-Now i'm gonna have to buy a next gen console.
-The whole purpose of the TSFP story was to stop the timesplitters from even existing.
-It means more work at the encyclopedia :P

It's not that I don't like TS- hell i love it- but that's my point. 4 TS games is over-milking it now.

[deded999]

Nah, these are games remember? Over-milking is an absolute necessity!

But seriously, I know where you're coming from, but it's about the overall experience, not a completely coherent plot. Who knows how they'll handle it? Look at Resident Evil 4 - very little relation to the plot of the previous games, with a new location, different enemies, (well, slightly different), and yet it was probably the best Capcom ever made.

Besides, I never counted TSFP as the third in a trilogy, (that would be Timesplitters 3 http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif), I saw it more as TS 2.5, with the NG version as the true sequel. This kind of thing can happen a lot with the time it takes to produce games while technology and consoles march on - Grand Theft Auto on PS2 was actually GTA3 remember, there'd been two top-down view games before that on PS.

Don't be down-hearted, have a tissue, wipe your eyes and look forward to more and better TS in the hopefully near future! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif

EDIT: It's also possible (although unlikely I would think) that FRD could alter the whole ethos of TS and have no actual Splitters at all - the game and concept could still work fine as long as there was some kind of combat-based time-travelling game involved. As long as the title remained (it wouldn't be 'splitters if it's not called 'splitters after all - the main characters could be referred to as Timesplitters), the time-jumping levels and generally crazy characters would keep the 'splitters idea intact. In this way they could go for a completely different plot and main characters, but keep pretty much everything else that makes it what it is. Job done!

Hm, I see they're looking for more employees on their website... http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/88.gif

[deded999]

I've just been checking Gamecentral (teletext pages) and they stated:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">But the odd wording of the press release has led some to believe it might be Star Wars: Battlefront III, instead of usual developer Pandemic. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Apart from the mention of FRD's FPS skills, I don't see anything to indicate this, although they do say 'new video game' and not 'new IP' or 'new franchise', which could mean it's a sequel, (to TS or SW:BF II?).

Personally I doubt this is true - FRD have never seemed interested in other people's games, preferring to make their own games in their own way. Going to BF would mean they would be inheriting the Battlefield game system, limiting them a lot in game design, unless that was thrown out and a new system put in place. The only way I see this happening is if a) LA give them quite a free rein to do new things with BF, and b) FRD really really really want to do a SW game. Not that I'd blame them mind, but it doesn't seem to match well with the company or their history. FRD do well enough with their own characters and universes, I don't see why they need Lucas' at all.

[Eggy_Joshua]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by deded999:
Ha ha ha, good point Eggy. And did you notice how he said the word 'time' three times in one sentence? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

hehe were just too good for him, or much more likely were looking far to deeply into this lol.

I never for one second considered timesplitters to be a trioligy. Mabey its cause the main story pretty much starts in ts2 or mabey i just couldnt let go.
Anywho if i was encountered by the problem of the timesplitters being gone for the next game i would simply make a prequel cause in a time traveling game it would make no sense and confuse people. this would give frd the upper hand in unravelling a story.

[deded999]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Eggy_Joshua:
hehe were just too good for him, or much more likely were looking far to deeply into this lol.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Or he's trying to put us off the scent http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/shady.gif

Time travel as a story-concept is so open to changes that there's never going to be a problem adding to the story. I haven't seen T3, but the Terminator films 1+2 both had 'proper' endings and it didn't stop them going back to do sequels did it?

I'm starting to doubt it's a new game, as they would have mentioned new IP - looks like it's either SW or TS. Well, if it is a SW game, I can't think of a better developer to do it, I'd just prefer to see them working on their own franchise rather than someone else's - ahem, /puts on best Sidney Greenstreet voice/ We can always find another SW FPS, but there's only one 'Timesplitters'. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/inlove.gif

[Xylaquin]

If it is Battlefront 3, then please don't make it like Battlefront 2. I've got both the games, and I can say that I kinda like the original better. The second bf totally concentrated on the Republic and Episode III. The whole story line was based around it I preffered the original's approach.

Maybe it's just me, cos I have the same opinion with TimeSplitters. I prefer the first to the second, and the third to the first. Which is good since then I'd like SWBF:III.

TS1 was great because of it's sharp graphics (TS2 was all 'bubbly'), cool maps (chinese was at its worst in TS2 imho), and it's genuine leetness. SWBF:I was the same, it spread out it's episodes (and wasn't biased towards what appeared in the cinema http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/shady.gif), infact it even did a farily decent job of doing episode 3 maps before the film came out. The maps in the original were the best. Even the loading screen and menus pwned (all techno themed, with a virtual battlefield). SW:Lego II is out soon which hopefully will be good.

Who knows, not I- maybe they're making "Star Wars: Republic at War" XD

[deded999]

It's also been suggested it may be a sequel to the squad-based game Republic Commando (I think), although that sounds a little too much like Haze gameplay to be credible for me. Spong even suggested it could be a TS/SW hybrid! Now I know I said time-travel stories could get away with virtually anything, but that's maybe a step beyond the pale! Or maybe not... I could imagine a TS-style FPS with hundreds of SW characters in the Lego Star Wars mould, all stylized and 'french' http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif but I really don't see it happening... who would carry the double-shottie? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Fates.Dark.Hand]

I really hope its a Starwars Game, doubt it tho, there is already a starwars game for PS3 in the pipes, its called Star Wars: Force Unleashed, me thinks http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[deded999]

...as I said above. Force unleashed is 3rd person though, and although FRD have done and could do a 3rd person game, the fact that they are lauded as FPS developers in the press release suggests the game will be an FPS to me.

Argh, tell us already. This is like telling me a joke and then leaving out the punchline for a couple of weeks...

(Weeks? Did I say weeks? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif ).

[LiquidEagle]

http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-happy.gif LucasArts is much more than just Star Wars! There's also Indiana Jones and some much-loved classics like Sam & Max (though there was just a new remake already announced for this one), Full Throttle (I think it could be this one) and Escape from Monkey Island ( Very likely given the game's style and Free Radical's excellent sense of humor!), among a few others (Zombies Ate My Neighbors I believe). LucasArts holds a bazillion great IPs and I know FRD will do it justice! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/11.gif

Tootles

[cob_shaw]

Imagine the Berserker Splitters with lightsabers or Cortez holding an improved SPB500 battling Darth Vader wielding a dual lightsaber. You could have Monkey using the force or Luke Skywalker jumping through time. R-110 having a fight with R2-D2, anyone? That said, I do not want another Star Wars game, even if TS is included.

I imagine that the game would be a new title, we know that both FRD and LA have humour, TS and Lego Star Wars are both funny, so perhaps a comedy game would be in order?

[deded999]

Whatever this game turns out to be, I'm hoping it gets stroked all over the place by Lucasarts. FRD are just too good a developer to not get the exposure they deserve. It's criminal to me that dozens of mediocre games are lauded all over the place in the press when great games like TS are over-looked and placed in a niche, (granted, the coolest, hardcore niche available http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif).

Hopefully whatever FRD/LA are working on, the publisher will have the cajones to actually publicise it and sell it to the masses, (you know, to sell more games http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif).

What about a teaser site or something, eh? I know it's early days, but this is the kind of thing that should be thought about, (and probably is I expect). Hopefully Haze will have some new stuff out soon so it can have a chance to get some steam up before launch... http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/winky.gif

[deded999]

Check my sig - could we be seeing a Clone Wars game?

Now that is one area where Timesplitters and Star Wars could really overlap! If it's going to be a SW game, I reckon this could be it. Don't know why I didn't think of it before...

[cob_shaw]

Or perhaps it will be "Lego TimeSplitters"?

[cob_shaw]

A letter posted on FRD's site hints of a TimeSplitter's 4 release in 2009.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
Yo R-107,

If that is your real name, (which it clearly isnt),
I'm a longtime free radical fan, got hooked on timesplitters 2, went back and bought one, then bought three the day it came out, played all for many many many hours, recently bought second sight, also an amazing game, and i had a few requests/suggestions/questions.



Will you make a timesplitters 4?

Can you cut the Bull**** about playing through the same timezones as in future perfect and give us more time zones, like in ts2?

Will you make a medieval level?

can you make the aol guy a character or is that copyright infringment?

stop trying to be halo. future perfect was too much like halo, which was a clear influence. People loved timesplitters 2 for what it was, the greatest shooter of all time.

MORE WEAPONS! weapons rule.

less blood or no blood. While i must say it was fun to see zombies heads explode with blood when you blow them off point blank range with a shotgun, i know several people, (4 to be exact) who werent allowed to buy future perfect because it was M.

More multi player arcade modes. The ones missing from timesplitters 2 made me play timesplitters 2 more than 3. Flame tag ruled.


Anyway, keep up the great work! you guys rule, (and if there are any girls that work there, you rule too. Especially the hot ones.)
Adios man, have a great summer or whatever season it is over there in ingle land

-Nate Day



R107 Says:

Dear Nate,



Maybe one day. But it ain't gonna be soon.

Ask me again in 2009.

See above.

Good grief. I'm glad you're not our lawyer.

Halo? Never heard of it.

Yes. They rule.

The blood was there to create a realistic experience of shooting the undead in the snort pipes.

Speak to you in 2009.


There are no girls here. Twenty toilets - all men only.

Sincerely,

R-107
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[deded999]

http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/compsmash.gif

[frd_neko]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

More multi player arcade modes. The ones missing from timesplitters 2 made me play timesplitters 2 more than 3. Flame tag ruled. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

\o/

Flametag was my idea! I rule! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

BTW, I wouldn't put too much stock by that date. It could be sooner, it could be later; that date's just been thrown in to stir up some controversy.

Neko.

[Korath36]

Flame tag was your idea? Give you self a pat on the back. It was a simple but very fun idea. Hope to see more fun games modes like that in the future of Free Radical.

And as for the fact a few people couldn't play the game due to age limits, have some older people buy it for you. Thats what I do when I buy a video game. Damn age restrictions..... I work 7 days a week for two months straight..... I should be able to spend my money on what I want and BE ABLE TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE BACK WITH OUT PARENT SUPERVISION!!!!!! Damn banks.....

[deded999]

Later?! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/sadeyes.gif

I guess this is a hint to just give it up and don't hold our breath then. Fair enough I guess - you can't tell us when it will come out anyway, but suffice to say, I at least, am dying to see a NG 'splitters. Just wanted to point that out in case you hadn't guessed http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/53.gif

Re: game modes, I always got a kick out of Escort in TS1 - 4 player s/s, with an extra person (the wife!) co-ordinating the team. The escort AI really were dumb as though. Something that could be vastly improved in the next splitters? Gargh!

Ah well, I hope you lot are having a ball with Haze and the new Star Wars/Timesplitters/? hybrid comedy-cartoon-action-adventure FPS you're making, lol.

Have fun, oh, and show us something sometime! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[cob_shaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by frd_neko:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

More multi player arcade modes. The ones missing from timesplitters 2 made me play timesplitters 2 more than 3. Flame tag ruled. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

\o/

Flametag was my idea! I rule! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

BTW, I wouldn't put too much stock by that date. It could be sooner, it could be later; that date's just been thrown in to stir up some controversy.

Neko. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sooner would be good. Like as soon as you finish Haze!

*Bows to Neko* You do rule, flame tag was the best!

[PoSSeSSeDCoW]

I think it's a pretty strong bet that the NG Lucas Arts game will be either Star Wars or another established Lucas Arts property because of this excerpt from the FAQ:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Why hasn’t Free Radical worked on any licensed titles?
It's mainly because they wouldn't let us do a game of Animal Farm. And no, I don't mean the Orson Welles one. Also, we've had plenty of success doing our own thing so far. That said, there are a few licenses we'd like to have a crack at. One of them, some of us have had some experience of, you might remember it from the N64. The second one, well... We really shouldn’t say. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you look at the last part, it seems to suggest that they are using one of Lucas Art's liscensed titles.

[deded999]

Nice find. James Bond and Star Wars then? I suppose it could be something else, but it's a pretty decent bet...

[deded999]

I found this at PS3land:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">6. You are currently working with Lucas Arts and a yet to be announced company to bring euphoria to next gen gaming, correct? How is that working for you and how are you implementing the engine into their games?
That is correct. The relationship with our partners is great. LucasArts are a great company to work with, as theyâ¡â¦re really looking to give people a true next-gen experience. We integrated the core engine some time ago, and are now spending most of our time writing adaptive behaviors (the artificial nervous system that replaces canned animations). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It may be FRD, or another company, but interesting nonetheless. There's also a mention that the system is being used in 'Star Wars 2007', a working title for a new Lucasarts game, although this is likely to be the 'Force Unleashed' game that has been mentioned recently.

The full interview describing the system is here (http://www.ps3land.com/article-717.php).

[Xylaquin]

OT: as long as TS is available for whatever system i have then i'm happy.

[Nico8912]

well, it's good that FRD is making two new games and i would love the secret game to be TimeSplitters 4, but they way i look at it, if the 2nd game isn't TS4 then you know the next game they make will be! and haze should hold us over till then =)

[deded999]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Free Radical scoops Battlefront
Friday 29-Sep-2006 3:26 PM World exclusive: TimeSplitters dev to create next instalment in the best selling Star Wars series ever

The next instalment in the massively successful Star Wars: Battlefront series is being developed by the UK-based developer Free Radical, CVG can exclusively reveal.

Our investigative reporters have learned that this is the fruit of the Nottingham-based studio's recently announced partnership with LucasArts.

No further details were offered from our sources, but after the massive success of the first two Battlefront games, we can't wait to see what Free Radical - with its years of experience working on shooters like TimeSplitters and GoldenEye - will do with the license.

When contacted Free Radical declined to confirm or deny its involvement in the next Battlefront: "I'm not currently able to elaborate on the details of our recently-announced deal with LucasArts," said Steve Ellis, a director at the studio, only adding that the deal is "a project we are very excited to have been given the opportunity to work on. It will be awesome."

We will of course wave the CVG lightsabers high in the air when more word hits on Free Radical's Star Wars Battlefront. You heard it here first. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

C&VG (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=146932)

Unofficial news, but likely the truth. Great news! (Slight shame it wasn't Clone Wars though http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif).

[cob_shaw]

I haven't played the previous two Battlefronts. Perhaps now I should http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif .

[own_army]

I also readed they are working on SW Battlefront 3!

SW Battlefront III door Free Radical
Free Radical, de makers van ondermeer de Timesplitters-games en de Nintendo 64-klassier Goldeneye, zullen Star Wars Battlefront III gaan maken.
De eerste twee delen van Star Wars Battlefront waren een groot succes. Spacefights, Jedi-fights en shootingfights, en dat allemaal in een snel en strak multiplayer-jasje inclusief online. De eerste 2 games waren ontwikkeld door Pandemic Studios en waren zeker niet slecht, maar de combinatie van de Battlefront licentie en de ontwikkelaar van multiplayerspectakels als Timesplitters en Goldeneye, zal menig gamehart sneller doen kloppen.

Details zijn er nog niet vrijgegeven over deze game. We weten alleen dat de game in elk geval op de Xbox360 uit zal komen, maar naar alle waarschijnlijkheid komt de game ook naar in elk geval de PC en de PlayStation 3. Wanneer de officiële aankondiging van de game komt, is nog niet bekend, maar we houden je op de hoogte.


This says they are working on SW BF3, but so far the 360 version is only sure, but they think there will also be a (I really hope) PC version and a PS3 version.

No details yet, but it's sure they are working on SW BF3! And I'm sure it could be a great game!

[own_army]

O, and I really hope space and land battles are one map now, so that you can fly arround a planet, and come through the atmosphere and bomb some tanks / robots, where after go to space again and fight a huge space battle!

I hope this will be possible!

[shiva06]

FRD is too good a developer to be making a Star Wars game.

It's not official yet, so I'm still hoping it's Timesplitters 4 even though the most likely scenario is that they are making a Star Wars game.

Hopefully TS though!

[deded999]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by shiva06:
FRD is too good a developer to be making a usual, hum-drum, crappy-type Star Wars game.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Fixed!

I share you're healthy scepticism to an extent, but if LA know whats good for them, they'll just help FRD where needed and otherwise leave them alone to work their magic. SW is still agrerat license, (witness the undeniable pleasures of Lego SW), although it does need careful treatment if it isn't to be just the Meh - usual SW cash-in we're often used to. My preference would be for something like a Shadows of The Empire kind of situation, where the story takes place in the SW universe, with some recognisable characters, places and races, but with many new elements, villains and heroes to add to the mix to keep it fresh. KOTOR did this very well, despite taking place well outside the usual SW time-frame.

My greatest concerns are with LA's control of the material, (which could leave FRD with little room to manouver, or worse, being told what to do and how to do it), the fact that this is probably Battlefront III, (which means it's possible we'll see many gameplay ideas/flaws carried over from I & II and may stunt any possible changes from the old Battlefield/Battlefront game mechanic), and that this isn't just an FPS, which FRD excel at, but also a third-person game (SS, no problem) and a flight-sim-space-combat game as well. Now I could really love the space combat stuff, but it isn't often done well (as a stand-alone game, let alone as part of a larger game) and FRD aren't experienced in this area. On the other hand I'm sure they'd relish the chance to branch out and I have faith in their abilities, so there are plenty of possible positives as well as negatives. From the little they've said of the project it sounds like something they're all really excited about and have wanted to do for a long time though. I just wish they'd announce it and then we can discuss it without all this 'Is it TS? SW? Some other abbreviated trilogy of genius?' http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif<div class="ev_tpc_signature">

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/782/hazesigps3forumiiiau7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[KaiserMacCleg]

Yeah, I also heard that it was Battlefront 3 they're working on. I can't wait to see the result - the best (in my opinion) Star Wars games in existance, crossed with timesplitters...

[Tesseract]

I'm looking forward to what they might be capable of in this new generation of consoles.

Picture this:

You spawn into your drop point, run around and take out some imperials. Then you run over to a nearby X-Wing and start heading upward. Breaking atmosphere, you are now presented with a raging furball.

After shredding a few TIE fighters, you dock in at one of the Capital ships and are give the option of manning Ship-to-ship weapons, Anti-fighter countermeasures, or perhaps even orbital bombardment.

A cheer goes up as a Star Destroyer lists, explosions rocking its hull. You hop out of your gunnery platform, claim a dropship, and head back toward the surface. Gunners defend you against the remaining fighter forces and the ground batteries. You safely land and take on some more Troopers mano-e-mano before finally meeting your demise due to a poorly thrown Detonator from that kid in Poughkeepsie.

[Rc_guy24]

Come on.. the star wars idea for a game when the first Star wars game came out was awsome but they are just over doing it now. No more Star Wars please!

[deded999]

If they hadn't almost crippled the SW license with thoroughly awful games, (bar a very few over the years), maybe you wouldn't feel that way. I share your scepticism, but if LA and FRD can't make a great Star Wars (presumably FPS/TPS) between them, then there really is no hope for SW anymore.

You must unlearn what you have learnt. Do not underestimate the power of Free Radical. The Force is strong with this one, and all that http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif<div class="ev_tpc_signature">

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/782/hazesigps3forumiiiau7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[cob_shaw]

I believe FRD can do anything! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

/sucking up

[shiva06]

Still no word on what this game even is...!

[NurcX]

I was announced in an offical playstation magazine as Battlefront 3.

[deded999]

I doubt this is anything to do with FRD, but it is listed as a future LA first'third-person shooter:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I've been hearing rumors about LucasArts new shooter lately, the one that isn't Star Wars Battlefront 3. Instead of revisiting a long, long time ago, the company is looking to the future with their American civil war game.

Yes, the future. The game won't feature a North and South divided, brother versus brother, musket battles, or soldiers decked out in wool uniforms. Instead, the title will recount an all too familiar East Coast versus West Coast battle, thankfully sans hip-hop soundtrack.

Further unlike our nation's previous civil war, points of contention will focus less on slavery and taxation, but more on the evolution of the human race. In a nation separated by a midwestern wasteland, one side will focus more on nano-machinery and cybernetic development, the other on genetic manipulation and man-made evolution that will help create a race of super soldiers. This means characters will be stronger, faster, and heavily armored, whether by futuristic combat gear or thick biological shells.

But the game's real draw is its weapon system.

The first- and third-person shooter features some nifty land deformation schtick courtesy of an advancement in weapons technology. Players will be armed with grenades that can transform the landscape to their advantage, whether it be to establish cover or to reach new heights on a particular level, you'll literally reshape the battlefield. Each splintered faction will also have access to firearms that deploy mines that travel beneath the surface at rocket speeds to take out enemies and carve out craters. Expect plenty of flying rocks.

From what I've heard, LucasArts is readying a massive undertaking to ensure that their newest original shooter becomes a franchise hit. The game is slated to come to the latest generation of consoles, but a PC version may also be in the works.

We'll update when we hear more on LucasArts upcoming project. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

kotaku (http://kotaku.com/gaming/lucasarts/rumor-lucasarts-new-civil-war-shooter-246388.php)

A possible alternative to Battlefront 3? Hmmm.... personally the Star Wars game sounds more like FRD territory, but who knows?

[cob_shaw]

It sounds an awesome game anyway, regardless of the developer.

[Xylaquin]

american civil war!? Since when did Lucas Arts do things like that?

I never thought I'd say this but I'm rather dissappointed, I'm not going to be naive and say "Oh I'm sure FRD will make it good all the same", because whilst the probably will I'd of preffered something different.

Aww.. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-indifferent.gif We want Star Wars XD

[deded999]

FRD probably has nothing to do with this one, but since it sounds like it could be a possibility, and Battlefront hasn't been confirmed, I thought it was worth posting.

BTW, read it carefully - it has nothing to do with the 'American Civil War', just a future civil war in America.

[BuddyFlashheart]

A game about an American civil war, developed by a British studio? Now that'd be nicely cheeky. Sounds awesome though.

[rob19832870]

I was browsing through the FRD website and I came across this on the iaq section. Are there any ideas that have been dropped over the years?
Loads. We had a bunch of vehicle sections in the Siberian levels on Second Sight, plus there were about twice as many psychic abilities in the first outline - stuff like mind reading. For TimeSplitters, there was meant to be an American Civil War level somewhere, but we never got round to it. Hell, there have been whole ideas for games that were dropped for one reason or another. We're still waiting for someone to show an interest in our rhythm-action-zombie-horror-FPS-RPG. So the civil war game could possibly be their next game.

[deded999]

Interesting find there. I still tend to think it's SW: Battlefront 3 though personally...

[FRott01]

Here's something of interest from the FRD website. Why does it seem like I'm the only one who points this out?

This is from the "Top Secret" page. It's a quote from a representative of LucasArts.

"In the battle for videogame quality, these guys are at the front of the line. This team's pedigree is one of the best in the business."

[deded999]

lol, nice spot. There's three 'i's in there too. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[BuddyFlashheart]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FRott01:
Here's something of interest from the FRD website. Why does it seem like I'm the only one who points this out?

This is from the "Top Secret" page. It's a quote from a representative of LucasArts.

"In the battle for videogame quality, these guys are at the front of the line. This team's pedigree is one of the best in the business." </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you're referencing the Battlefront theory, then that has been pointed out in the past, quite a few times actually.

[FRott01]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BuddyFlashheart:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FRott01:
Here's something of interest from the FRD website. Why does it seem like I'm the only one who points this out?

This is from the "Top Secret" page. It's a quote from a representative of LucasArts.

"In the battle for videogame quality, these guys are at the front of the line. This team's pedigree is one of the best in the business." </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you're referencing the Battlefront theory, then that has been pointed out in the past, quite a few times actually. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, I'm referencing the quote, which happens to pertain to the theory, and the quote has not been brought up.

[C_Marcussen]

lol - nice catch indeed. Weird I didn't catch it when I read it - it's such an odd way of saying "FRD kicks ***, so we will work with them" http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Kade_Yuy]

hmmm i hope its either another TS or BF3, i dont want anything new i want stuff i know i'll like.

BTW FRott01 whats up? lol havent seen you since....like march of 05 or something like that haha

[sanderDrost]

i really really really hope its another timesplitters or a game with the gameplay and funnyness of timesplitters would be good to http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Tesseract]

Recently, a new shooter by LucasArts was announced. I eagerly clicked the link.... perhaps this is the new FRD/LA game? Nope. No dice. A game that (admittedly) sounds interesting, but it's by another studio.

Now this isn't anything bad, is it? I hope LucasArts didn't pull FRD from this project (called Fracture) in favor of some other studio I'd barely heard of....

I trust it wouldn't be a breach of confidentiality to tell us yea or nay on this one, would it?

[sanderDrost]

i was wondering the same thing when they anounced fracture.

[deded999]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tesseract:
Recently, a new shooter by LucasArts was announced. I eagerly clicked the link.... perhaps this is the new FRD/LA game? Nope. No dice. A game that (admittedly) sounds interesting, but it's by another studio.

Now this isn't anything bad, is it? I hope LucasArts didn't pull FRD from this project (called Fracture) in favor of some other studio I'd barely heard of....

I trust it wouldn't be a breach of confidentiality to tell us yea or nay on this one, would it? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've still seen nothing to suggest that FRD are doing anything other than Battlefront III, or at least it's spiritual equivalent, in other words a Star Wars FPS/TPS. There's nothing to suggest FRD have ever been linked with Fracture. In fact, if I remember correctly, the Fracture devs were announced as working on this at a similar time that FRD were announced to be working on their LA project, so they are simply making them for LA at the same time.

[Tesseract]

Well... Yet more non-FRD LucasArts news on that....errr.... front.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">After taking 2006 off, LucasArts' Star Wars Battlefront series of shooters is returning in 2007, but only on the PlayStation Portable. The publisher today announced that it will release Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron exclusively for Sony's handheld this fall.

As the only new entry in the series this year, Renegade Squadron will introduce a new character customization system. Instead of picking from a lineup of regimented character classes, players will be able to tailor their character's weapons, abilities, and equipment to their liking. Renegade Squadron will also be playable online in battles up to 16 players, so players will be able to pit their customized characters against others to see which combinations work best.

LucasArts is also adding a new story for the single-player campaign mode, with the Renegade Squadron of the title being a secret group of shady characters running missions for the Rebel Alliance under the command of Han Solo. Battles will take place in a number of settings that should be familiar to fans of the space opera, with missions objectives including sabotage, rescue, and retrieval.


Development on Renegade Squadron is being entrusted to Rebellion, the outfit behind the PSP games Gun Showdown and Miami Vice: The Game. Previous entries in the Battlefront series were developed by Pandemic Studios (Mercenaries, Destroy All Humans!). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Taken directly from GameSpot.