FRD Website Archive/Letters/2008

* February
* March
* August
* September
* October
* November

Hello,
I have a question. You see, I brought TimeSplitters Future Perfect a few weeks ago, and I've already played it for over 35 hours. Do I need to get out more?

P.S. I can't wait for Haze and TimeSplitters 4.

 -Hasen
####

####

#### R107 Says

I hope you took toilet breaks.

Listen up you scrap metal piece of junk,
Tell me (and the world) when PS3 gamers will get to play a demo of Haze! We're tired of waiting, and tired of being kept in the dark. Don't think by ignoring the gamers, your game will still sell. That is all, make me happy.

 Love, Mike
####

####

#### R107 Says

Jesus H. Christ. What do you people want? You already know Haze is late so we can polish it and make it better value for your dollar. Do you really want some kind of hour-by-hour account of how that's being done, in endlessly boring technical detail? Kid, after half a paragraph, you just wouldn't care any more. So no - we're not ignoring you, there's just nothing else to say except We're Working On It.

Now step off - I'm trying to watch booty videos on Youtube.

Hi, R107, Rob Yescome (I know you look like tackleberry),
I was wondering if It was possible for me to do wrok experience with FRD when the time comes? (It's a long way away). The only hitch is that I live in South Wales (Llanelli to be exact). I was interested in doing scriptwriting for you guys. I already wrote in about that awhile ago, and was given the nickname of 'Bugaboo' when my friends saw it.

 With regards,
Bugaboo (Rhydian)
####

####

#### R107 Says

'Yescome' is spelt 'Yescombe'.
If the word 'it' appears in the middle of a sentence, it should not be with a capital 'i' unless you're referring to Stephen King's It.
'Wrok' is spelt 'work'.
'Awhile' is two words.
You want to write for a living.

End.

Hi Free Radical,
You guys are the best game developers in the industry, and I am highly anticipating your upcoming three releases (especially Timesplitters 4). I was wondering if there is anyway, besides sending R107 emails, that we can ask questions, give feedback, or make suggestions to you guys. Is there an official Timesplitters/FRD forum? If not you should consider having a forum on this website. It would be great to hear from you guys more often. Please take the time to answer this, I will greatly appreciate it.

 -Patrick
####

####

#### R107 Says

Don't worry, kid. We keep a close eye on all the many unofficial Free Radical-related forums across the net. That means that every time you slag us off, we are watching you.

Dear Mr. 107,
I am an American fan of the Free Radical Design crew. Your work on the TimeSplitters is outstanding, and Second Sight, although I have yet to play it, looks very interesting. Anyway,

Is there any chance of you convincing the Stamper Brothers, who recently left Rare, to join your rag-tag band of game designers?

 -Alon\_S
####

####

#### R107 Says

I called them up to ask them to come and join us, but they said they couldn't hear me because they weren't getting very good reception through the solid gold telephone on their mega-yacht.

yo man whats up?,
i just had a cool idea for ts4:

what about using the bricks as grenades (just without explosions ;) )

 -Marten
####

####

#### R107 Says

Great! So, throwing bricks then. Get back in your box.

Hey R107,
You Guys should maake TimeSplitters 4 a PS3 exclusive Game. Then I would have bragging rights on all my mates who think that Xbox360 is Best, Cos Timesplitters Beats Halos Arse anyday. Plus I got an Idea, Put all of PS3 processing power to the test and use the 20 or so Gigahertz, Show everybody the true meaning of FIRST-PERSON-SHOOTER!!!

 -Jono
####

####

#### R107 Says

I mean this is the nicest possible sense: you are rambling like an opium-crazed Victorian madman with shit in his pants.

Dear Free Radical,
I know you answered this earlier, but I'm going to ask you anyway. What should I know in order to become a script writer (aside from the ability to speak coherently and form complete sentences)? And if I possess these traits, then what should I do?

 -Zares
####

####

#### R107 Says

Stage 1: Get another job.

Stage 2: Spend your evenings, mornings and lunches writing something great.

Stage 3: Realise that what you've written is terrible.

If you do not complete Stage 3, go back to Stage 2 and repeat.

Stage 5: Find someone important and charm them into reading your work.

Stage 6: Read your subsequent rejection letter over and over again, trying to figure out if there's a way you can interpret it that means you get money.

Go back to Stage 2.

Dear Free Radical,
Is there any way of getting a list of the Staff in charge of making the games? Just trying to prove a point to my Friend...

 -Eddy & Matt
####

####

#### R107 Says

Yes.

Dear Free Radical,
I'd also like to say thanks for making the soundtracks for the Timesplitters games and Second Sight available to download. That is rad, and whoever thought it would be a good idea to offer the soundtracks is also rad.

To get to my question, TS3 makes a regular appearance at LAN parties among myself and my friends. We usually end up pretty plastered by the end of the night, but we've been trying to come up with ways to incorporate our imbibement of alcohol with the actual gameplay of Timesplitters. Can you think of any ways to do this creatively, or should we just stick with the "you get killed, you take a shot" method? I'm pretty good at TS3, and I want to get drunk too.

 -Jeff
####

####

#### R107 Says

Every time you don't buy a copy of Second Sight, take a shot.

Dear Free Radical,

pleaselease anther video of ts4 charctrs, levels, guns wher i just wan't a look
####

####

#### R107 Says

Did a cat walk across your keyboard?

Dear Free Radical,
The main problem Im having with the latest PS3 FPS games is that they make primary fire go to the R2 button which is ill suited for such a function. Please let R1 be primary fire for HAZE or at least give us the option to change it! Hope to see some more Haze news soon, looks great at the moment!

 -Chris
####

####

#### R107 Says

Don't sweat it, Kid. In Haze, as in life itself, you are embodied with the power to change where your fingers go.

Dear R107,
Im 16 years old now and im wondering which path to take to be a games designer. The chioces are to stay on in sixth form and take Art and Ict then to go study games development in University or to go straight into College and begin a course in games development then go into University and continue on with another games development course. I was wondering which would be best acknowledged if i was to become a games designer.

Thanks,
-Ashley
####

####

#### R107 Says

This is your lucky day, son. The following advice is from the 58th Hottest Games Designer on the planet:

"Designers don't need art qualifications - code and level design/implementation experience with editors like Hammer or UnrealED are far more useful. Programming skills never hurt either. So do the courses that teach those things rather than art. R107, I'm sure you can fill in the rest."

I decided not to fill in the rest. Goodbye.

Hey,
I have been interested in programming games for a while now but never known where to start. So I was wondering if you could point me in a generally non-specific direction to start. Fear not, your investment in time in answering this question wuld not go unpaid, as I have long since decided that I would like to work for Free Radical, if only to the secret handshake!!!

## -WiseOne
Dear R107,

I am thinking of becoming a games programmer and just wondering if a HND in software development would get me the job or do i need to do a university course.

also i was thinking of signing up to be a games tester and wondering how long in average it takes to test a game.

thanks,
-Darren
####

####

#### Our resident Code person Says

Do a bachelors degree in a science/engineering related subject: Maths, Physics, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, etc are all very good. You can do games programming degrees as well, but they are sometimes not as good on the theory side.
Learn to program in C or C++ and also it helps to learn a graphics library such as OpenGL or DirectX.
Read some books on games programming: For example Interactive Computer Graphics: A Top-Down Approach with OpenGL, Third Edition and Practical Linear Algebra: A Geometry Toolbox.
Write a demo or a simple game using what you've learnt from 2 and and 3.
Don't give up. You will have to learn to walk before you can run :)

Dear Free Radical,
I was wondering if there is any chance if TimeSplitters 2 or Future Perfect will become backwards compatible on the Xbox 360. If not or at least put them on as a Xbox Live original for download.

Thank You.

-Ryan
####

####

#### R107 Says

Personally, I love the idea - we get to sell something twice, with half the work. AWESOME!

Dear R107,
I've played every single game mode there is: from Assault to Zones, but there's one thing that drives me as crazy as you are! TS3 says that there's a game mode known as One on One, but so far it just seems like a myth... please, please, pleaaaaaaaaase help me out on this one

-Filip
####

####

#### R107 Says

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Dear Free Radical,
Please start answering more letters. I beg of you, I can't take it anymore. I want a boatload of questions to make up for December and January.

-James
####

####

#### R107 Says

Listen up, Pork Pie. You have no idea what my daily grind is like. First thing, I have to eat at least one Snickers. Then I have to watch between ten and fifty mildly amusing youtube videos. By then it's already lunch time. Then I have to have a two hour lunch break, followed by a lengthy session of standing around in the kitchen. By then it's basically home time. If you have some brilliant time-saving idea that will enable me to find the time to answer more letters, you go right ahead and let me know.

Hi,
UPDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE! The letters.

Thank you.

-Rhydian
####

####

#### R107 Says

Wriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiite more interesting letters for me to answer.

Hi,
My name is Brandon and I've noticed a serious lack of monkey playing characters on 360 games. Any chance of there ever being a patch for Future Perfect? I really think more monkeys is just what the 360 needs to really dominate the competition.... and more bananas. But i guess that goes without saying.
Having Furry Little WD's,

-Brandon
####

####

#### R107 Says

We're thinking about a patch. Some of us might even be talking about it. But will it happen? Watch this space. This EXACT space: […………..]

Hey Guys,
I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with Haze. I've been excited about this title since its announcement. I hope the delay gives you the opportunity to bring home a truly epic experience (you guys deserve the recognition). I'm a game design student myself so I know what you must be going through (really I probably have no clue). Despite the lack of sleep, the time away from home, and not having a social life or getting laid, I hope you are enjoying yourselves and having a blast. Your fans are awaiting the arrival of Haze and TS4! So now, stop drooling on yourself, drink some coffee, and get back to work!

-BrandonR
####

####

#### R107 Says

Brother, I don't know where you get your information, but I get laid like an egg. Big time.

Dear R107,
You know, Ive been wondering. Should I get Turok or Haze?

-Joe
####

####

#### R107 Says

Turok of course - for your 360, and Haze for your PS3.

BAM.

Dear Free Radical,
Put the stig... in Timesplitters 4.

-John
####

####

#### R107 Says

Sure, why not.

Dear R107, third-hand robot, lord of cardboard, cheif bullet taker etc. etc,
i thought i'd write to you to bring a thin ray of sunlight into your sad life :D This is the second time ive wrote because the first time you ignored me :( i was a little hurt that you didnt include my masterful letter in the February edition of the letter seeing as you included an un-exploding brick related letter, but then again, i suppose slandering ignorant fools does have its benifits.

Now back to my letter. Free Radical, you are GENIUS(s) Timesplitters 3 (you know, the game where you get shot full of lead)is work of art, infact no its a masterpiece, who cares about the mona lisa when you can have a good old picture of a monkey. I hope this is making your sad life a little more bearable to know that the people who forged your body out of reinforced cardboard under the shadow of Mt. Nottingham. But seriously, Timesplitters 3 was great, but i unluckily did not have a ethernet and could not witness its prowess online. But now its next gen! And Timesplitters 4 is on the way (not so good for you R107, i suggest you strap on the bulletproof vest)!!! My only problem is that I own a Wii and i love it, and your creators may not bring it to Wii, and i would wither if that happen, please, please, please bring it to Wii, i would be so eternally grateful!

But anyways back to Free Radicals genius, YOU GUYS ARE GENIUSES!!!! Whatever you do keep on doing it!!!

-Amir

PS - R107, im sorry but this was all a ploy, im afraid if i purchase TS4 i will unfortunately kill you, again and again and again
####

####

#### R107 Says

Was there even a question in there? FYI, fatty, we haven't got anywhere near deciding what platform TimeSplitters 4 will be on. It could be on the Wii, or the 360, or the PS3, or on all three. Or possibly a Megadrive exclusive.

Dear R107,
As a writer, I have dealt with complex plot points in relation to both the target audience, and the medium at hand. Parallel to this I have been passively observing certain trends within the gaming industry. Those trends are consummately the increasing subject matter of games in direct relation to the average age demographic.
It has thus lead me to wonder about the - lets call it mental flexibility - for the use of such plot elements not generally found in interactive mediums.
The one I wish to bring into focus at this moment is called "The inverse theory of tragedy in relation to environment." The main foci of using such a plot element is quite readily apparent, yet its hand has not been seen within the gaming industry.
Hence, I bring this element to light here - my reasons evidenced by some of the comments made previously by members of the Free Radical staff in reference to some of the moral elements brought into play with Haze.
Is it simply the fact that using such a plot element would be bad for PR? Or does it seem such that there would not be a large enough target audience?

Spoken hence with joy,
-One of many
####

####

#### R107 Says

Your letter reads like stereo instructions. I've read it four times now, and I still have no idea what you're talking about. You basically just made up a load of terms and then didn't qualify them with any examples.

Given that writing is about communication, you should probably spend less time on "the inverse theory of tragedy in relation to environment" and more time on the practise of writing in a way that a human brain can digest.

Close your thesaurus and keep it closed, Chief.

FAIL.

Dear Free Radical,
I just wanted to let everyone at Free Radical that a new episode of the Timesplitters machinima, As the Hamster Wheel Turns, has just been release. This is episode five and is our best episode yet. Take a look and let us know what you think. We'd love to get feed back from the people that created the game because without you guys we'd have to use Halo or WoW like everyone else on the freaking planet. Take a look and share with Timesplitter fans worldwide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNb8DF\_uXy4

-Seth####

####

#### R107 Says

We're already regular viewers, Webber. Keep up the good work. Of course, we're just biding our time until you start making some money from it, and then we'll sue. But it's the journey that counts, not the destination.

Dear Free Radical,
Please release TS4 for the Dreamcast! Plzzzz!

-Marc
####

####

#### R107 Says

It's out next week as part of a double-pack with San Francisco Rush.

Dear Free Radical,
There has been a big discussion over at timesplitters4.net about jumping in the upcoming installment of the timesplitters series. Most of us have agreed that jumping shouldn't be included, others have thought otherwise. Do you believe jumping will be included in TS4?

-Matt
####

####

#### R107 Says

We're still discussing it…

Dear Free Radical,
I came across this idea on TS4.net, but can you make David Doak a character in TS4, maybe an FRD building as a level? The guns could be staple guns and other office stuff? It could be an arcade league challlenge...

-Ben
####

####

#### R107 Says

We couldn't include Doak because he'd be THE MOST DEADLY CHARACTER EVER, and it would thusly unbalance the game.

Dear R107,
What is the Megadrive?

-Remy
####

####

#### R107 Says

It's a word that can be typed into Google.

Dear Free Radical,
personaly I think the best bossible solution for Timesplitters 4 is to bring it on all threeplatforms, you did great with all versions on last generation systems, and probably made a few fans too.

I think its only fair that fans can choose the platform they will enjoy the multiplayer sweetness of Timesplitters 4.

Cheers

-R107.1
####

####

#### R107 Says

Sounds sensible.

Dear Free Radical,

I am very impressed with your TS4 work right now. Keep up the good work! Can't wait

-Leonid

####

####

#### R107 Says

At least someone noticed.

Dear Free Radical,
I just wanted to say that I too love the Dreamcast....
Have you every played Shenmue on it?

Oh, btw, I love TS2 and TS3. I will be looking forward to seeing you in TS4.

That is all....
Hugz and Kissez

-Matt
####

####

#### R107 Says

Shenmue was amazing – after my father was brutally murdered in front of me, I walked outside and spent two hours feeding a kitten with dried fish.

dear R-one-oh-seven,
i have played all the timesplitters and they are awsome games funnest ive ever played but TS future perfect was the best simply because of the cheats that werent cheats can you PLEASE bring back human gun noises i laughed so much to that and still enjoy it to te max :D

-Dan
####

####

#### R107 Says

You know, you are a human and thereby you could technically make your own 'human gun noises' for any game you choose.

Dear Free Radical,
Are any characters being carried on into the 4th game?

I hope you are (did you find out where the batteries went by the way?) and Duckman.

Anything about the Secret LucasArts project? Rumours abound that its battle front 3

-J
####

####

#### R107 Says

You can expect to see some old favourites in TimeSplitters 4, although Duckman is busy trying to break into the music business. He is working on an album with Howard The Duck called "It's A Duck's Life". I keep telling him that it's all too duck-centric and that he is thereby alienating a large section of the market, but all he does is quack.

Dear Free Radical,
I always thought for some time, me and my friend (that lived far away) were the only ones that new about Timesplitters, like it was one of those games no one knows about. So I thought, why didn't people know about it? Why haven't you guys ever tried advertising on the internet, magazines or T.V.

Also, in case you ever needed extra cash, just make Harry Tipper or someone drink a coca-cola right before kicking some butt and wham-bam you have some money.

Yours,
-Quinn
####

####

#### R107 Says

R107's answer is sponsored by Preparation H – For those hard to reach itches:

You could save us the effort of advertising if you would stop being to selfish and just buy 4,500,000 copies.

Dear Free Radical,
free radical can you make a charater named mr. bobcat?

-Nathan and Strata
####

####

#### R107 Says

What, like that guy out of Police Academy who talked like he was mad?

Dear R107,
I apologise for mentioning the obvious question (When, how soon is when and when cannot come quick enough) regarding the launch of TS4. But a horrible thing has happened due to length of time since Future Perfect came out. My very own mother has developed supreme multiplayer skills and can wield a mini-gun with hideous ease. So please maintain the status-quo and launch TS4 before my mother discovers where you live and also so I can play with my friends in peace and my mother can resort to whats she's good at....Standing in the way of the telly!!! Arrrggghhh

-Gavin.J
####

####

#### R107 Says

Get her onto Haze. That should keep her busy. If there's one thing that all Mothers love, it's shooting people to death in South America.

Dear Free Radical,
Please tell me when TS4 going to be released.

-marshall
P.S-IF YOU DONT THELL BE A KNIFE IN YOUR HEAD
####

####

#### R107 Says

A knife in my head? God I'm glad I don't actually have to meet you people.

Dear Free Radical,
Do you guys still play the past games (maybe even for reference for TS4)? I've had a blast with those playing them from time to time. Though I can't wait for TS4 to come out soon!

P.S. Disregard the fact that you're from the past games, lol.

-Joey
####

####

#### R107 Says

Cat Racing is still a firm favourite. But with a real cat.

Dear Mr R107,
What about a new game with the great Dr John Vattic?

Please, don't make a dreamcast joke!

-Wesley
####

####

#### R107 Says

The Dreamcast is NOT A JOKE. Also, yes, we'd love to do another Second Sight, or even re-release it on the Wii. All we need now is for a publisher to ask us to do it…

Hey,
i would like to appologize for one of my last letters about using the haze engine for ts4. i really based my opinion on the haze demo and the reviews. so today i got to play the actual full game and i was quite impressed. i just wish you made it for xbox 360 also. but besides all that just keep doin what yall are doin. do whatever you want with ts4 and it will probably still be good.
thank you

-Randy
####

####

#### R107 Says

God bless you, Randy. Don't let your nickname at school get to you.

Greetings R-107,
I see you're quite fond of the Dreamcast. Any particular reason for this? Also, what games would you recommend for it?

-Shepard
####

####

#### R107 Says

I love the Dreamcast specifically for Dynamite Cop II. It is, without question, the greatest game ever made. In one boss battle, you throw apples at an obese chef until you knock him out – the irony is just staggering.

Yo,
can we get a new toaster? i was makin beans on toast this morning an not only did the bloody toaster spark some scary blue stuff at me but it also made a small black triangle in the top left of of of my slices of toast!

yours sincirely

-Ben
####

####

#### R107 Says

Totally. The toaster is a death trap.

Dear Free Radical,
OK WELL TIMESPLITTERS IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE GAME BUT IN FUTURE PERFECT WE SAW THAT EARTH WAS BACK TO NORMAL AND THE WAR BETWEEN HUMANS AND SPLITTERS WAS OVER HOW CAN THERE BE A NUMBER FOUR IF THE WAR IS OVER OR "NEVER BEGUN" TO SAY, IS THIS ONE GOING TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH ALTERNAT DEMENTIONS WITH THE SPLITTERS STILL THERE JUST IN A DIFFERENT DIMENTION FIGUREING A WAY BACK TO THE HUMANS DIMENTION AND STARTING THE WAR AGAIN ITS JUST FROM WHAT I CAN UNDERSTAND THERE CANT BE A NUMBER FOUR UNLESS IT WITH THE DEMTIONS

-JOHN
####

####

#### R107 Says

Your message needs more capital letters. Also, I'm sure our story guy will find some way to make sense of time travel in a way that physicists never could.

Dear Free Radical,
Please add chassissbot and sentrybot to TS4 I like those guys.

-Marshall
####

####

#### R107 Says

Actually they're not nice. They both draw pornographic pictures of The Flintstones and then become aroused by their own drawings. I wouldn't trust them with a boiled egg.

Free Radical Entertainment
Could you guys include some of the original sound and music tracks from the first TimeSplitters into TimeSplitters 4. I really love the sounds of scrolling through and selecting options in the game's menus. The sound effects you guys at Free Radical Software came up with were so distinctive and memorable. The music was the same, if not more so. Nostalgia sells, you know... at least I think it does.

Anyways, I'm a big fan of Free Radical Enterprises, so keep it up.

Your pal,
-Tim.

PS TP4 for Wii please. Otherwise I won't be able to play it. D:
####

####

#### R107 Says

Nice idea. Consider it stolen.

Hi!
I really want to thank you for the excellent add-on for HAZE. I love the new maps. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU! I just hope that developing the new maps did not take time away from the development of TS 4 for the Dreamcast ;)

-TJ Lundell
####

####

#### R107 Says

God bless you. And by the way, TimeSplitters 4 is going to be a Sega Saturn exclusive. Or possibly the Neo-Geo.

Dear Free Rad,
I read a article on cvg and was just wondering whats your take on games degrees??
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=195956&site=cvg

I myself am doing a games degree in carlow,Ireland and just want to know do look at whats happening in the college scene or would you support games courses??etc . .. . . .

thanks for your time
P.S. cant wait for TS4 . .. . . and TS2HD thatl b class

-Brian
####

####

#### R107 Says

Games degrees are much better than tey used to be. But it often boils down to whether you know how to use the relevant toolset, or whether your portfolio has good looking stuff in it. I myself did a totally unrelated degree, but was doing relevant stuff in my spare time. So whilst there is sometimes a route through a degree, it's not necessarily the only route.

Also, you are gay.

Dear Free Rad,
I keep saying it again and again, but if you look at what Psi ops or Second Sight did last gen and looking at what Elebits did on Wii you should be seeing this physics based object manipulation in virtually all FPS or 3rd person wii games. Force unleashed and Harry potter 5 omitting IR and physics based gameplay is raw stupidness.

It's like no developer has even heard or played Elebits and seen what it's technologically doing. Has anyone at FRadical played this game and if so, has no one been inspired by its design?

That's what annoys me so much, a launch game with an obvious mechanic that can yield so much potential is being completely ignored. Only Boom Blox uses similar mechanics. It can be incorporated into so many regular hardcore games though and not just puzzle games. Psi Ops and to a lesser extent, Second Sight are blatant proof of concept too.

But basically virtually any game can use the physics manipulation of Elebits. You have a controller that gives you acceleration info, positional info, allows you to rotate or throw objects with your own heft, has you using actual depth to pull and push things into and out of the screen. It gives you an absurd amount of control when coupled with a physics engine.

Take that mechanic, give your character in an action game some superpower and have him throw stuff around. In a Resident evil game you could pick up crates and hurl them at zombies. Or pluck off a zombies head.

In Star Wars Force unleashed you could ping pong storm troopers off eachother, or solve environmental puzzles. In a first person game you could investigate a scene by picking apart its components. Actually in a resident evil game, actually sifting through the contents of a mansion in the first person would be much more fun than walking towards a glowing file and pressing a button.

So why is Elebits and its game mechanics so special?

It really has a very rewarding, eye opening revolutionary control mechanic. It feels like direct interaction with the gameworld. Previously looking at footage I thought it could be approximated on PC, but after playing it, no. This could not be done on PC. It really uses the Wii controller as a 3-D mouse to give you really fine control over your enviroment and is completely beyond a dual stick controller. Once you've plucked through a couple of missions you find yourself doing really crazy things, zipping through levels, using complex interactions within the game world.

It actually uses the wii controller to sense depth so you will find yourself pulling and pushing items in and out of the screen, rotating objects and this isn't some random gesture control, it's fine tuned and accurate and very satisfying. You can actually fling items into the air and then catch them mid air in a delicious juggling act. I found myself lifting up a microwave, stacking it on boxes, flipping open the door, grabbing a pizza, feeding it into the box then turning it on, all the while zapping elebits at the same time. To put its control in some perspective, you can actually feed a CD into the slot of a disc shredder, in a 3-D space with no camera assistance, plane switching or automatic button pressing.

Once you get further into the game it becomes a lot more complex, items have to be used in order or activated through different ways like a puzzle, elebits become harder to find, your gun has to be powered up to lift heavier objects, you wrap your head around the power-ups which are really neat, either luring, shocking or deafening the little beasts, you have limitations like not causing noise (careful with those pot lids) and not breaking things (watch out for the vases) And of course rooting through the environment causing chaos never gets tired.

Almost everything in the environment can be manipulated with a fine degree of control, talk about design depth.

What's startling about Elebits is how it's game design in one fell swoop shows what a controller can offer to gameplay as opposed to the traditional view of what other hardware related performance upgrades can offer. Both approaches have benefits the other doesn't IMO. The makers of Psi-ops playing this game would have a field day with the mechanics, it makes the gravity gun in Half Life 2 look like a blunt instrument.

So please FR, give Wii some consideration as a machine that can technologically push games forward.

-GG
####

####

#### R107 Says

Yeah, but is Cortez in it?

Hey!
Can you open up the servers for TSFP online again? We are b0red!

-Shaun
####

####

#### R107 Says

Brother, if it was within our power, it would be so. Sadly, we have no say in it.

Hey guys!
Are you guys making or thinking about TS2 HD? Please release it.

-Tom
####

####

#### R107 Says

We're working on it... All we need now is for Sony to say Yes. Email them!

Dear Free Rad,
Ok, today i was thinking, what is timesplitters image like, all about. And i figured, its the fact that the game is actually mental. Its like the super smash brothers of fps, but with a better sense of humour and without cutey characters. I think you need to focus on keeping it insane and being totally CUSTOMISABLE and fun, just like super smash. I think you should have levels with moving backdrops for multiplayer, like super smash. Heres an example, do a level with a jet plane plummeting through the sky, so your shooting at people and all the time you can see out the windows your falling. Just makes it more exciting. Yeh.. sorry, just, the idea came to me today.

Thankyou, ps, make timesplitters sweet.

-Joe
####

####

#### R107 Says

A crashing aeroplane. What a delightful omen.

Dear Free Rad,
Second sight was (is) the best story in video game i've ever played... then TS3. I am currently (amongst other things) running around as an italian plumber and a master chef but the chef has no sense of humour and the arbitor really needs to chill out... Anys ways my question; were the covenant grunts trained buy the TS monkeys, in some strange timeslip event, it would explain alot?

-Dean
####

####

#### R107 Says

I'm going to go ahead and say yes.

Dear Free Rad,
please please bring Robofish to Tmesplitters 4 and if possible make him a story character because Robofish kicks ass. Roofish for the win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-R107 jr
####

####

#### R107 Says

R107 Junior indeed.

Dear Free Rad,
THIS IS MY 3rd attempt at sending in a letter -\_-

My message is simple is there any chance of TS4 coming out for PC?

-Jimmy
####

####

#### R107 Says

Simply reply: no idea yet.

Dear Free Rad,
I have a story idea that solves any confusion with previous storylines. Involving the Reaper/Scourge/Beserker relationship and how killing Crow and the Timesplitters army did not prevent the war:

The Timesplitters could have been planning a war but couldn't create an army themselves because they were either lazy or didn't have the resources or time. They went to crow to help them making this army. In exchange for Crows genetic research and resources and therefore a Beserker army they gave him the key to immortality, the time crystals. Reaper DNA and the time crystals would also assist him in making the beserker timesplitters. With the beserker army, the timesplitters could then create the war.

However, with crow and the army destroyed, the Timesplitters had no viable human to help them create the Beserker army. Instead they will have to create an army themselves. They miss the deadline of less or same as 2401 so therefore there is no war in this period. Unfortunately for them, the timesplitters could not gather enough power to send the entire army including warships etc. back to an earlier time. Therefore the war will start a few good years later.

Either the Reapers or a new breed of selectively created timesplitters could replace the beserkers for TS4. It would be nice to include the reaper and scourge splitter in there somehow. Perhaps with levels in the commanding mother-ships or the timesplitter's homeland? The Reapers and Scourges are at a higher military position and exist in these areas as like in TS2.

-Matt
####

####

#### R107 Says

To be honest, I reckon we'll just make up a host of new gibberish.

Dear Free Rad,
Recently I heard a rumor about a re-release of Timesplitters 2 HD for Xbox Live arcade or PSN. Is there possibly any truth is this matter? That would be awesome. I would buy it.

-Brad
####

####

#### R107 Says

It's possible – but only if you people rally together and demand it!

Dear Free Rad,
Is Timesplitters 3 still the best fps on the game consoles?

-Ingmar
####

####

#### R107 Says

On the GAME consoles? Yes.

Dear Free Rad,
Why is it that most of Future Perfects song's have the same (or similar, at least) melody interlude kind of thing? Is it some kind of joke Graeme Norgate pulled on everyone, to include that in almost every song?

-Matt
####

####

#### R107 Says

Sheer bastard laziness. End of story.

Dear Free Rad
i have just recently borrowed second sight from a friend ( borrowed cuz im not supposed 2 play games with blood but i do anyway )and i thought that you guys could make a sequl for the wii, the control sceme seems to blend in perfectly and all great games deserve seqils.
r107 pwn all!!!!!!!!!111one

 -Daniel B
####

####

#### R107 Says

Yes, we've often thought about doing Second Sight for the Wii. In fact, we'd LOVE to. So if some wily publisher happens to be reading this, give us a call. Also, I do indeed 'pwn all'.

Dear Free Rad,
First off let me say I'm a big fan of the TS games! I love the concept(time travel, enough said)! I love the huge list of playable characters(cardboard robot vs zombie doctor vs cyber chimp vs future ninja vs killer clown = great stuff)! I love the multiplayer (weapons from all time periods, maps from all over, and fun game types keep bringing me back!)!

Basically I loved what you guys did with the games! I hope you keep the majority of it and just build TS4 up bigger and better than before! Here are some random things I'd like to list:

More weapons from more time periods! New cool zany weapons! (just nothing too out there! (sheep guns might be pushing it))

500 characters might be considered too many, but only by those who don\'t know any better. (i would dare ask for customizable characters but I know that would only end in tears....) Just bring them all back and add on as you see fit! (just an idea but I think that a knight in shining armor brandishing a tommy gun makes for cool imagery)

More new unique game types! Flame tag still has a special place in my heart. Bring it back and come up with some crazy cool new ways to play, basic game types should not be enough! (custom rules? Maybe this would also end in tears…)

Also, I've heard you guys are focusing on multiplayer, but don't forget about story elements! Please keep up the funny zany and random stories behind the arcade mini games, but also make sure you have a solid story mode! Any way you want to tell it time travel makes for awesome plot twists and story development, so please push for a strong story, hopefully one that involves all manner of aliens, ninjas, zombies, warrior babes, robots and monkeys. And of course Cortez. And bring back Corporal Hart!

Uh, yeah, that's about all I got.

-EJS

 p.s. i love you games!
####

####

#### R107 Says

I "love you games" too.

Dear Free Radical
Let me start off by saying I am a huge Timesplitters fan and I cant wait for Timesplitters 4. Anyway there is something I must point.

Can you make the story for co-op make sence. The story only makes sence in TS2 and TSFP in single player because in all the levels their is only one character. An example near the end when Corp Hart dies if you play in co-op mode the second player plays as corp hart but that is immposible since she died during the cut scene.

In TSFP the story makes a little more sence in co-op mode exccept for some factors. An example is in the mission Scotland the brave, Captain Ashes purpose was to find junggle queen and in Single player mode we save her but if you play in co-op we never save her or see her for that matter so that dosent make sence with the story.

Another thing is that in Breaking and Entering we see Amy Chen entering th building. In single player mode we dont meet her until a few events but in co-op mode the second player starts of playing as her wich dose not make sence because in the cut scene we see her entering in another part of U-Genix so therfore it does not make sence when you play that level in co-op mode
Another one is in the Hooded Man level. In single player mode it makes sence because Cortez is defending him self. In co-op mode Player number 2 plays as a Soldier. That is immpossible because Cortez was dressed as a Time assassin and he soliders were fighting the Time assassins so that means that the solider would have open fire on cortez because he thought cortez was the enemy

So that is all.If I can make a suggestion it is to please make co-op mode make sence with the story mode and the cut scences.By the way can you Put all the levels(like sites) and all the weapons(like rocket launcher,injector,baseball bat)and put all the songs (Goteki Remix,TS2,TSFP main menue theme) and all the characters(Robofish,Monkey,Cortez,Captain ash, harry tipper)into Timesplitters 4. So that is my suggestion make TS4 make sence with co-op mode and put all the characters,weapons,levels,and songs in TS4.

 Also sence im talking about co-op mode can you make the split screen be horizontal like in TS1,TS2,AND TSFP (dont make the split screen like Haze were it is vertical).That is all
So please consider my ideas Your biggest fan
-Jack
PS answer my letter this is the 13th letter i have written seriously i counted.
####

####

#### R107 Says

Let me get this straight, you're complaining that TimeSplitters doesn't always make sense? Kid, you're trying to take on a six foot sandwich one that one – ie: more than you can chew.

Dear Free Rad
I just have a few questions to ask you.
1. What is your favourite game you have made?
2. If you make anymore games for the PS3 will they have trophies?
3. Is they're any chance that a handheld TimeSplitters will ever be made?(Whether it be TS advance or something new)
4. Will TimeSplitters 4 still contain a mapmaker?(Please)

Thanks you very much for your time.

 -Daniel
####

####

#### R107 Says

1.All of them.
2.Quite possibly.
3.We'd like to.
4.We're not sure yet.
5.You smell of poo.

Dear Free Radical

I'm really excited about Timsplitters 4, and i've got a few questions about it:
1. What does DE 07 on the Jo-Beth and the Cat Racing
Underground pics mean?
2. When will you guys release some new info on
Characters/Weapons/Levels?
3. What's up with Sir Chimpalot?
4. Is there going to be a medieval-esque level?
5. Why does the new logo only say "Timesplitters"
instead of "Timesplitters 4"?

Also, keep an eye on www.Timesplitters4.net ;)

-Steve

####

####

#### R107 Says

1. It's either the initials of the artist and the year he did it, or it's a secret Haze code that unlocks the Derek 'Sizzlewood' Littlewood character.

Dear Free Rad,

Any chance of TS4 on the Wii?? I will be eternally grateful!

-Ross

####

####

#### R107 Says

It's very possible.

Dear Free Radical
i injoyed TS1 and TSFP
i'm hopping THE TIME SPLITERS 4 will be on playstation2 still because im too lazy to go out and by a knew systme and get adicted to it and if i did i wouldn't be able to play TS1 and TSFP...

 -Adam
####

####

#### R107 Says

That is some serious spelling you have there.

what up free rad!!!!!!
aight here we go, first off i want to say ive loved all your gauys games over the years. now lets get to the point. i just wanted to say that with all the bad reviews and bs about haze gets me worried that you guys wont stick with the ip. now ive read about the problems you had with developement, how long it took to make the engine and the story character design and so on but now that all that is in place developement on a sequel would be rather less stressful and all that. i hope you dont give up on haze because i can see it going in so many differant ways like a prequel or side story but nevertheless another should be made. also cant wait for ts4 its going to be awesome.

 -Swift
ps if you need an idea for a game i got one that just might interest you guys.
####

####

#### R107 Says

Well, if you pop out and buy another couple of million copies of Haze, we might make a sequel.

Dear Guy In Cardboard Robot Costume
I've heard that TS4 will ONLY be on the Wii? Is there any truth to this? Because if it is then I'm going to have to start saving up for a Wii right now because all I have right now is a 360.

 -Chaser
####

####

#### R107 Says

There is no truth to that whatsoever. We're still designing.

Dear Free Radical
Please keep all the original maps in arcade mode and make new ones, as I would really love to see them. Also, could you give me an idea of the story? I would love to know what happens after Cortez stopped the Timesplitters war. Thanks.

 -Alex
####

####

#### R107 Says

We've got a pretty tasty story, but you'll just have to wait and see.

Dear Free Rad,
will you finally be able to roll in TS4?

 -Geoff
####

####

#### R107 Says

Maybe. You MIGHT even be able to jump...

Dear Free Rad,
THIS IS MY 5th time writing in please post this
i think you should make TSP4 a ps3 exclusive i hate the xbox and all there owners and whats with everyone comparing halo with timesplitters halo is crap compared to timesplitters. keep up the good work free radical and make timesplitters 4 just as good and funny as the rest of the series.

 -Keiran
####

####

#### R107 Says

You 'hate' the Xbox and all 'there' owners? Kid, get outside and play in a field for a bit. Chill, fool.

Dear Free Rad,
are you going to make a haze 2 respond!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love haze its good but me and other people want a sequel.make a haze 2!!!!!!!and you should make the haze theme song by korn in the game so you can listen to it will shooting things up... recon\_unleashed is my psn account name.

 -Kratos
####

####

#### R107 Says

The Korn song is available in multiplayer. You can listen to it 'will' shooting things up. Sigh.

Dear Free Rad,
I need to know if there are gonna be more monkeys! I love being a monkey! The sheer thrill of kocking the heads of an army of Climp Clamps! So please bring on the monkeys! And keep R107! R1's good at virus. =P

 -Josh
####

####

#### R107 Says

The monkeys will, naturally, be back. Big time.

Dear Free Rad,
did you leave rare because somehow you found out that in the future you would be working on viva pinata?

 -Dec
####

####

#### R107 Says

Prophetic, ain't it.

Dear Free Radical
Please put Timesplitters 4 on the PS3 only Please.Listen I have a family and my cosin is dieing. He is a big fan of Timespliters more biger a fan then me and please he is going through a Tough time and he likes PS3. Please Release TS4 on the PS3 only. I beg you please it would mean alot to him and me I promised him I would do what ever it takes to make him feel good.Please do me this one favor please.

 -Randy
####

####

#### R107 Says

So, let me get this straight. Your cousin's dying wish is for TimeSplitters 4 to be a PS3 exclusive? Well, he's certainly lived a rich, full life.

Dear Free Rad,
Stop ignoring me.

 -Flamon
####

####

#### R107 Says

Okay.

Dear Free Rad,
please respond this is the 4th time i have emailed you this will there be a haze 2? is there a chance?

-Mike
####

####

#### R107 Says

Yes. After you buy another million copies.

Dear Free Rad,
Where did you put my socks? i cant fine them anywhere.....

PS: If i don't mither you again can i have a free copy of TS4 when it comes out?

-Gertrude
####

####

#### R107 Says

They're IN THE DRAWER. Stop asking.

Dear Free Rad
Would you please put some sheet music for all the TS games? Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Mario
####

####

#### R107 Says

Sheet music?! Dude, he just made it up in his brain.

Dear R107
I go to Graeme Norgate's website as often as I possibly can to listen to the music he did for Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, TimeSplitters and Second Sight. I hope he's doing well and that he'll be doing the soundtrack for TimeSplitters 4. He is the man!

Oh, and make some more video features about the company Free Radical, like you did for Haze. Please. They were awesome.

-Frank
####

####

#### R107 Says

Graeme 'Magoonoo' Norgate is very sexy and popular.

Hey
have you guys ever considered making a multiplayer level out of your offices? Just a thought. It would be cool to kill things in teh workspace where the game was made.

Oh, and also, have you guys ever considered taking up the old school practice of having multiple heads for your guards, ala Goldeneye and Perfect Dark? Because that would be pretty sweet to see that again. Especially if you guys went back to using your own faces.

Although I am now realizing that perhaps my asking to be able to kill people who look like the developers in a level based on their offices may be just a bit disturbing...

 -Russell
####

####

#### R107 Says

Just grab a bazooka and head over here. You could do it for real.

Hey!
i'm a gay gamer...
WHO'S IN LOVE W/ THE TIMESPLITTERS FRANCHISE!
i even own the first one, even though i don't own a PS2 or PS3!

my question is if the Timesplitters universe would also have some or even one character in a positive light toward the LGBT community?

there's a bunch of rumours going around that Khallos could just as easily give up on Kitten Celeste after watching Harry Tipper dressed up in drag. is this true?

on another note, my younger brother, he's a year younger than me, i'm reaching 20, he's on his way to be 19 and still in love w/ the monkeys and bananas in timesplitters land, but he told me to tell you, that you rock, R107!

have fun/be safe

 -Trukon
####

####

#### R107 Says

Actually, the only gay character in TimeSplitters is the Gingerbread Man. The duck is bi-curious.

Dear Free Rad,
I was just wondering if maybe you could include the "Diplomat" D6 pistol in TimeSplitters 4?
\*Rallies together and demands you to make a HD remake on TS2\*

 -Jesper
####

####

#### R107 Says

Yeah, that pistol was pretty badass. I'll look into it.

Dear Free Radical
Buy it, use it, break it, fix it,
Trash it, change it, mail, upgrade it,
Charge it, point it, zoom it, press it,
Snap it, work it, quick erase it,
Write it, get it, paste it, save it,
Load it, check it, quick rewrite it,
Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it,
Drag it, drop it, zip, unzip it,
Lock it, fill it, call it, find it,
View it, code it, jam, unlock it,
Surf it, scroll it, pause it, click it,
Cross it, crack it, switch, update it,
Name it, read it, tune it, print it,
Scan it, send it, fax, rename it,
Touch it, bring it, pay it, watch it,
Turn it, leave it, start, format it,
Buy it, use it, break it, fix it,
Trash it, change it, mail, upgrade it,
Charge it, point it, zoom it, press it,
Snap it, work it, quick erase it,
Write it, get it, paste it, save it,
Load it, check it, quick rewrite it,
Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it,
Drag it, drop it, zip, unzip it,
Lock it, fill it, call it, find it,
View it, code it, jam, unlock it,
Surf it, scroll it, pause it, click it,
Cross it, crack it, switch, update it,
Name it, read it, tune it, print it,
Scan it, send it, fax, rename it,
Touch it, bring it, pay it, watch it,
Turn it, leave it, start, format it.

 -Glen
####

####

#### R107 Says

I would hate to be the brain inside your head.

Hey Free Radical
Any chance of Timesplitters action figures?

-Louis
####

####

#### R107 Says

Send me some clay and I'll see what I can do.

Dear Free Radical/R107
What is your opinion on all of these children demanding exclusives for their consoles? Will you comply, because making a game exclusive is (in my opinion) as bad of a decision as hiring Uwe Boll as a game designer. I'm hoping you release on all systems, so everyone can enjoy the shining solid gold glory that is the Time Splitters series.

-David
####

####

#### R107 Says

Actually, Uwe Boll is GREAT at designing games. Unfortunately, he is terrible at making movies. Anyway, it does seem pretty logical to do multi-platform releases from a commercial point of view, but sometimes if we really love a particular console then we'll do an exclusive. And by 'love' I mean 'receive money from'.

Dear Funny-Sounding Robot Man
The results of the polls of this site and the overall success of the Wii point to a Wii version. If so, will you promise TS4 Wii won't be Imagine Timsplitterz?

-Sheershaw
####

####

#### R107 Says

I personally would like to thank everyone who voted, and it will be taken under consideration. Unfortunately the results will probably be declared null and void, because we forgot to include an option for the Atari Lynx.

Dear R107
Will you be my valentine?

Love,
-Jonathan
####

####

#### R107 Says

Meet me in room 368. Come alone.

Hi
Is Graeme Norgate doing the music for Timesplitters 4?

-Glen
####

####

#### R107 Says

He was going to. However, I am sorry to report that Graeme 'Dingamagoo' Norgate died in a horrible keyboard-related accident earlier this month. I would like to take this opportunity to respectfully extend my best wishes to his family, through the letters page on a website where I have to pretend to be a robot. Amen.

Dear R107
have you ever asked Gretel mk2 out on a date?

-Daco
####

####

#### R107 Says

No. She's NOT REAL.

Dear Free Radical
UPDATE YOUR LETTERS!!!!!!!!!!
IT'S NOVEMBER AND THIS IS STILL OCTOBER, WE WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT TS4!

cheers,
-Dom
####

####

#### R107 Says

It's a wacky game where funny little dudes shoot each other with zany weapons. See you in January.

Dear Free Rad,
Soo uhh yea... its half way through november. Just so ya know....

-Kyle
####

####

#### R107 Says

I usually use a calendar for this kind of information, but thanks anyway.

Dear Free Rad,
Why don't you offer all the songs for the timesplitters games.. I really want to download the time splitters future perfect title song legally.

-Nick
####

####

#### R107 Says

'Song' implies lyrics. If you makes some up and send them to us, I'll put some more tracks on the website. Deal?

Dear Free Rad,
hello, i'm Arthur, king of the britons and i command you to include me in TS4 or your castle will be taken by force
\*hide himself in the rabbit of Troie\*

-Warp
####

####

#### R107 Says

Sometimes I wish I would go to sleep and never wake up.

Dear Free Rad,
I'm so psyched for TS4! as a huge fan of the series, I only ask for a few additions to the game:

multiplayer on challenges and arcade league (I get lonely)

the ability to leap, slide and roll like the bots do in arcade mode (I've always been jealous of that)

more vehicles on arcade mode and better controls for them. (may I suggest halo for inspiration)

a continuation of the geniusly outlandish ideas free radical comes up with. Your creativity is unparalleled.

-Elliot
####

####

#### R107 Says

Much as I appreciate you saying so, I don't know if our 'creativity is unparalleled' since we never thought to include a jump button in the last three games.

Dear Free Radical
I want to thank you for being one of the few game developors who include bots for multiplayer. Please keep putting them in your games. Please include them for all game modes in TS4 please. Do you think you could release a patch to include bots in the other game modes on Haze? Thank you for your time.

-Rob
####

####

#### R107 Says

Bots rule. They should put them in everything - Myst, Myst II, Myst III, you name it. As for the patch, there are no current plans to do that, but if someone buys another million copies of Haze, then I'll get right on it.