More than a decade has passed since the beginning of the fan project TimeSplitters Rewind. Finally, the game will launch on November 23rd, 2025, as a free “greatest hits” compilation of the long-neglected console FPS series.
TimeSplitters Rewind combines the best elements of the three original TimeSplitters titles into one complete game. TimeSplitters Rewind was developed by Cinder Interactive, a global team of nearly 200 volunteer amateur enthusiasts and AAA developers. As such, TimeSplitters Rewind is completely free.
The game will initially feature an impressive amount of content: 28 maps, 91 characters, 41 weapons, and 20 arcade game modes, including the brand-new “Team Elimination” mode. TimeSplitters Rewind features 50 Arcade Leagues, 32 challenges, a full story mode, and can be played online with up to ten players or offline using AI. The team specified the Steam Deck (using Proton) as the game’s minimum system requirements to ensure that TimeSplitters Rewind would run well across various hardware configurations.
A long and difficult journey comes to an end this month. A fan-petition to start a TimeSplitters HD Collection started circulating back in 2012, and in 2013, Crytek, the then-owner of the TimeSplitters IP, officially sanctioned the fan-team to develop the game.
However, the journey of developing TimeSplitters Rewind was not without obstacles. The team switched engines multiple times (from a UT 2004 mod to CryEngine, to Unreal Engine 4, back to CryEngine, and eventually to Unreal Engine 4 again); lost a great deal of programmers; had multiple leaders come and go; and had endless internal strife.
However, the team saw an increase in production in 2020, due to the global pandemic. However, the project hit another hurdle in 2023 when the newly revamped official Free Radical Design studio was shut down by Embracer Group. Still, against all odds, the fan team persevered and is now ready to deliver its long-awaited love letter to fans.
The game’s November 23rd release marks the triumphant end of a turbulent, decade-long development cycle driven purely by fan dedication. TimeSplitters Rewind now stands as a remarkable achievement, delivering the ultimate series compilation that fans have long awaited.
Source: GamingOnLinux
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