January 21^st, 2004 (12:00am) - In September the GamersMark Network brought news to readers that Eidos Interactive would not be publishing Free Radical’s third TimeSplitters game. With the game already in development, all fingers were being pointed towards Activision to pick up publishing rights. However, it seems that Electronic Arts plans on taking over the video game world…

Electronic Arts and UK-based developer Free Radical Design today announced a distribution and publishing agreement for the next game in the best selling TimeSplitters franchise. Developed by Free Radical, the new title in the celebrated series will be published by EA Partners and is slated for worldwide release in 2005. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Free Radical has proven itself as a world-class studio by delivering consistently beautiful, exciting and incredibly fun games,” said Tom Frisina, Vice-president Electronic Arts Partners. ”We are thrilled to be working with Free Radical and to be adding a new title to our growing catalogue of externally developed games.”

“Choosing EA Partners as our publishing partner represents a big breakthrough for Free Radical,” said Steve Ellis, Chairman of Free Radical Design. “We’re already working hard on the next game, and hope that, with the help of Electronic Arts, we can reach many new players all over the world.”

Originally released in 2000, Free Radical’s TimeSplitters series revolutionized the first-person shooting genre by introducing players to a unique time-traveling gameplay mechanic. The innovative and compelling gameplay propelled the series to become a worldwide success. The original title was followed by the release of TimeSplitters 2 in 2002. Together, the two titles have sold over 2 million units worldwide. The next title will take the experience further with improved gameplay, unprecedented graphics, all new story and online play.