Ubi hooks up with Free Radical

by: Chuck - posted: 11/23/2005 3:19:00 PM

Ubisoft has worked out a deal with Free Radical (the folks behind the fun TimeSplitters series) to develop a next generation/PC title that will be released in the 2006-2007 fiscal year  (July 2006-June 2007).  There aren't a lot of details except that it will be a mature title that will "feature difficult strategic choices and moral dilemmas, tapping into both their rational and emotional instincts".

UBISOFT AND FREE RADICAL JOIN FORCES TO CREATE AN INNOVATIVE ACTION BLOCKBUSTER

SAN FRANCISCO – November 22, 2005  – Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced an agreement with Free Radical Design, developer of the acclaimed TimeSplitters® series, to develop an action game based on new intellectual property for release in fiscal year 2006-2007.

The game (title to be announced) will be developed for next-generation consoles and the PC, enriching Ubisoft’s catalogue for the next fiscal year and expanding its offering on new consoles. Targeting mature gamers, it will feature difficult strategic choices and moral dilemmas, tapping into both their rational and emotional instincts.

The three games in the Free Radical’s TimeSplitters® series have earned stellar ratings from some of the industry’s most respected sources and have sold approximately 3.5 million copies.

“Ubisoft is looking forward to working closely with Free Radical, renowned for creating beautiful and engaging gameplay in epics such as the TimeSplitters® series,” said Jay Cohen, vice president of publishing at Ubisoft. “With this game, we plan to take players to a new level of intensity and create an environment at once terrifying, enthralling and impossible to resist.”

“We are delighted to benefit from Ubisoft’s collaboration on this title and benefit from its strong experience developing and marketing powerful, innovative action titles,” stated Steve Ellis, managing director of Free Radical Design.

About Free Radical Design:
Founded in 1999, Free Radical Design is one of the UK’s leading independent videogame developers and is now wholly focused on next-generation development. It recently achieved its first listing in the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100, being one of the UK’s fastest growing technology companies. To learn more, please visit www.frd.co.uk.

About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through its strong and diversified line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge videogame titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated revenue of 538 million Euros for the 2004–2005 fiscal year, an increase of 8 percent over the previous fiscal year at constant exchange rates. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.

TimeSplitters® is a registered trademark of Free Radical Design Ltd.