Vero - Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

TimeSplitters

2025-10-26T06:34:24Z

2405:6E00:28EB:A2C0:2CF6:2CF5:30BE:D173: /* TimeSplitters Rewind */

{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = TimeSplitters
| image = TimeSplittersLogoSeries.svg
| genre = [[First-person shooter]]
| developer = [[Free Radical Design]]
| publisher = {{ubl
|[[Eidos Interactive]] (2000–2002)
|[[Electronic Arts]] (2005)
}}
| creator = {{ubl|Steve Ellis|[[David Doak]]}}
| composer =
| platforms = {{ubl
|[[PlayStation 2]]
|[[GameCube]]
|[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
}}
| first release version = ''[[TimeSplitters (video game)|TimeSplitters]]''
| first release date = October 26, 2000
| latest release version = ''[[TimeSplitters: Future Perfect]]''
| latest release date = March 21, 2005
}}

'''''TimeSplitters''''' is a series of [[first-person shooter]] [[video game]]s developed by [[Free Radical Design]]. The games are often considered spiritual successors to the [[Nintendo 64]] titles ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]]'' (1997) and ''[[Perfect Dark]]'' (2000), due to overlapping elements in gameplay, design, and development team. Each game features a [[time travel]]ling element in which players battle across a diverse number of locations and periods in history.

The series' three games were released between 2000 and 2005, with the first as an exclusive launch title for the [[PlayStation 2]]. Development on a fourth game was being undertaken by a reformed version of Free Radical, owned by [[Deep Silver]], a subsidiary of [[Embracer Group]], but the game was cancelled when Free Radical was closed down in 2023.

The trilogy was re-released for [[PlayStation 4]] and [[PlayStation 5]] as PS2 classics in 2024, with trophy support, a rewind feature and improved loading times.<ref>https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/product/EP4062-PPSA23847_00-TIMESPLITTERS3FP</ref>

==Games==
{{VG Series Reviews
|updated = March 4, 2013
|game1 = [[TimeSplitters (video game)|TimeSplitters]]
|mc1 = (PS2) 81<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/timesplitters/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''TimeSplitters'' Reviews |access-date=March 4, 2013 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904182137/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/timesplitters|archive-date=September 4, 2010|url-status=live }}</ref>
|game2 = [[TimeSplitters 2]]
|mc2 = (PS2) 90<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/timesplitters-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''TimeSplitters 2'' Reviews |access-date=March 4, 2013 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901160451/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/timesplitters-2|archive-date=September 1, 2010|url-status=live }}</ref> (GC) 88<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/timesplitters-2/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=''TimeSplitters 2'' Reviews |access-date=March 4, 2013 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231130900/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/timesplitters-2|archive-date=December 31, 2010|url-status=live }}</ref> (Xbox) 88<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/timesplitters-2/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=''TimeSplitters 2'' Reviews |access-date=March 4, 2013 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223233123/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/timesplitters-2|archive-date=December 23, 2010|url-status=live }}</ref>
|game3 = [[TimeSplitters: Future Perfect]]
|mc3 = (PS2) 84<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/timesplitters-future-perfect/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''TimeSplitters: Future Perfect'' Reviews |access-date=March 4, 2013 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227114132/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/timesplitters-future-perfect|archive-date=February 27, 2011|url-status=live }}</ref> (Xbox) 83<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/timesplitters-future-perfect/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=''TimeSplitters: Future Perfect'' Reviews |access-date=March 4, 2013 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224010512/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/timesplitters-future-perfect|archive-date=December 24, 2010|url-status=live }}</ref> (GC) 82<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/timesplitters-future-perfect/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=''TimeSplitters: Future Perfect'' Reviews |access-date=March 4, 2013 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126041211/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/timesplitters-future-perfect|archive-date=November 26, 2010|url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

===''TimeSplitters''===
{{main|TimeSplitters (video game)}}
The first game in the series was developed by [[Free Radical Design]] and released in October 2000, alongside the launch of the [[PlayStation 2]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2020-10-26|title=PS2 launch title TimeSplitters turns 20 today|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-10-26-timesplitters-turns-20-today|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> The game's story focuses around a temporal war against the TimeSplitters, creatures that use time crystals to travel through time, and by doing so, are disrupting human history.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Dan|date=2013-12-01|title=TimeSplitters 2 retrospective|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-12-01-timesplitters-2-retrospective|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|date=2011-04-07|title=TimeSplitters – A Retrospective|url=http://www.gaminglives.com/2011/04/07/timesplitters-a-retrospective/|access-date=2020-11-23|website=GamingLives}}</ref> Its levels take place across different time periods between the years 1935 and 2035.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=2000-10-25|title=TimeSplitters Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/timesplitters-review/1900-2644984/|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[GameSpot]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

===''TimeSplitters 2''===
{{main|TimeSplitters 2}}
The second game in the series was released in October 2002.<ref name=":5" /> Unlike its predecessor, ''TimeSplitters 2'' was also released for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[GameCube]] in addition to the PlayStation 2. It featured similar story elements to the previous game, based around the TimeSplitters and their time crystals spread across multiple centuries,<ref name=":2" /> and expanded the concept heavily, including the introduction of characters that would later be used in its sequel, such as the lead character, Sergeant Cortez, a parody of [[Riddick (character)|Riddick]].<ref name=":6" />

===''TimeSplitters: Future Perfect''===
{{main|TimeSplitters: Future Perfect}}
The series' third installment was released in March 2005.<ref name=":5" /> ''Future Perfect''{{'}}s story played a larger role than in prior games in exploring the origins of the TimeSplitter species, introducing their creator, Jacob Crow, and including the concept of characters interacting with their own past and future selves.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web|last=Bains|first=Callum|date=2020-12-06|title=Here's the TimeSplitters: Future Perfect that could have been|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/heres-the-timesplitters-future-perfect-that-could-have-been|access-date=2021-01-07|website=[[TechRadar]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web|last=Perry|first=Douglass|date=2012-05-19|title=TimeSplitters Future Perfect|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/19/timesplitters-future-perfect|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bramwell|first=Tom|date=2005-04-01|title=TimeSplitters Future Perfect|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_timesplitters3_x|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> This was the first ''TimeSplitters'' game to feature online multiplayer, which was included for the Xbox and PlayStation 2; however, this feature was omitted from the GameCube version.<ref name=":10" />

=== Future and cancelled games ===

====''TimeSplitters 4''====
In June 2007, the ''[[PlayStation Official Magazine – UK|Official UK PlayStation Magazine]]'' reported on a rumour that another installment of the ''TimeSplitters'' series was in development by Free Radical as an exclusive for the [[PlayStation 3]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Torretta|first=Colin|date=2007-06-29|title=Rumor: New Timesplitters is in development as a PlayStation 3 exclusive|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-06-29-rumor-new-timesplitters-is-in-development-as-a-playstation-3-ex.html|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[Engadget]]|language=en}}</ref> In the following August, Rob Yescombe, scriptwriter for the series' previous title, confirmed that "''TimeSplitters 4'' is happening", but stated that the game was "in the very early concept stages, and as yet it's unsigned to any publisher."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Ogden|first=Gavin|date=2007-08-08|title=TimeSplitters 4 - first details|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/timesplitters-4-first-details/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|language=en}}</ref> Despite the previously rumoured PS3 exclusivity, Yescombe stated that no specific release platforms had been established.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="kotaku">{{cite web|last=Crecente|first=Brian|date=August 8, 2007|title=Free Radical Talks TimeSplitters 4|url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/original/free-radical-talks-timesplitters-4-286995.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823031849/http://kotaku.com/gaming/original/free-radical-talks-timesplitters-4-286995.php|archive-date=August 23, 2009|access-date=November 10, 2010|publisher=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> "I'm sure it's possible to do a control scheme that works", co-creator David Doak added, when asked about his thoughts on developing a first-person shooter for the [[Wii]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bishop|first=Stuart|date=2007-09-25|title=Free Radical eyeing Wii for TimeSplitters 4|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/free-radical-eyeing-wii-for-timesplitters-4-10/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|language=en}}</ref> Of the game's timeline, Yescombe stated that "the game's not a very long way away but it's not a very short way away either. It's somewhere in the middle."<ref name=":0" />

A further announcement of the game took place on the Free Radical website the following October.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Siegel|first=S.|date=2007-10-10|title=Timesplitters 4 officially official|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-10-10-timesplitters-4-officially-official.html|access-date=2021-05-21|website=[[Engadget]]|language=en-US}}</ref> An early logo revealed for the game was a parody of the ''[[Gears of War]]'' logo, with a monkey head replacing the skull from the original.<ref name="kotaku" /><ref name="news">{{cite web|date=June 28, 2007|title=OPM UK confirms new TimeSplitters game|url=http://ps3.qj.net/OPM-UK-confirms-new-Timesplitters-game/pg/49/aid/96263|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319071204/http://ps3.qj.net/OPM-UK-confirms-new-Timesplitters-game/pg/49/aid/96263|archive-date=March 19, 2009|access-date=November 10, 2010|publisher=QuickJump}}</ref> Free Radical also sent out an early [[Teaser campaign|teaser trailer]] depicting a monkey in [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]]'s combat armour from the ''[[Halo (franchise)|Halo]]'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jarvis|first=James 10|date=2007-10-10|title=Halooo TimeSplitters 4!|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/halooo-timesplitters-4/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|language=en}}</ref> This led to expectation of "in-game potshots" at those games and other gaming franchises,<ref name="news" /> a prediction confirmed by Yescombe:<blockquote>"In the past ''Timesplitters'' has been very satirical at the expense of movies, this time it will be satirical at the expense of video games."<ref name="kotaku" /></blockquote>Free Radical released further details on ''TimeSplitters 4'' in 2008, mentioning that it would not use the much-criticised ''[[Haze (video game)|Haze]]'' engine, instead opting for some "new and double shiny tech;"<ref>{{cite web|last=Blattberg|first=Eric|date=2008-08-30|title=TimeSplitters 4 eschews Haze engine, TS2 HD remake hinted|url=http://www.psu.com/TimeSplitters-4-eschews-Haze-engine,-TS2-HD-remake-hinted-News--a0004693-p0.php|access-date=November 10, 2010|website=PlayStation Universe}}</ref> however, after going into administration, Free Radical was bought out by [[Crytek]] and rebranded as Crytek UK in February 2009.<ref name=":31">{{Cite web|last=Onyett|first=Charles|date=2009-02-04|title=Crytek Purchases Free Radical|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/05/crytek-purchases-free-radical|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Following this acquisition, the ''TimeSplitters'' project was subsequently placed "on hold."<ref name=":32">{{Cite web|date=2020-11-16|title=[UPDATE] THQ Nordic say the TimeSplitters 2 leak was a joke|url=https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2020/11/16/timesplitters-2-remake-leak-ps5-xbox-series-x-s-ps4-xbox-one-switch/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=The SixthAxis|language=en-US}}</ref> In a later interview, co-creator Steve Ellis confirmed that:<blockquote>"''TimeSplitters 4'' was in the very early stages of development when Free Radical went into administration ... A small playable demo was shown to several publishers, but it didn't attract any publishing deals."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2012-11-27|title=Ex-Free Radical devs reveal why publishers turned down TimeSplitters 4|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-27-ex-free-radical-devs-reveal-why-publishers-turned-down-timesplitters-4|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref></blockquote>The poor reception for Free Radical's previous game, ''Haze'', was cited as one of the main reasons for the lack of publisher interest, alongside the lack of marketability for "a game that is based around a diverse set of characters and environments."<ref name=":1" />

On June 14, 2011, the website VideoGamer.com, citing "a high-ranking industry source at Crytek," revealed that the company was working on a new ''TimeSplitters'' game, to be released on "the next generation of consoles" (the successors to the [[Xbox 360]] and PlayStation 3). The game was expected to utilize [[CryEngine 3]] and [[DirectX]] 11 technology.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gaston|first=Martin|date=2011-06-14|title=Xbox 720 'likely' at E3 2012, Crytek on board|url=http://www.videogamer.com/news/xbox_720_likely_at_e3_2012_crytek_on_board_2.html|access-date=June 14, 2011|website=VideoGamer.com}}</ref> In 2012, Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli expressed desire to work on the project, but also noted concern about its possible reception. He mentioned that [[crowdfunding]] a sequel had been suggested to him, but deemed doing so to be inappropriate for a larger company such as Crytek.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/353240/crytek-ceo-weighs-options-for-timesplitters-4/|title=29 PlayStation 4 mockups|first=Greg|last=Henninger|date=February 14, 2013|work=GamesRadar+}}</ref> Yerli's comments about a possible crowdfunding campaign prompted a [[petition]] to encourage such a venture, which Yerli himself endorsed; however, as of February 2014, the petition's page had reached only approximately half of the desired 100,000 supporters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/kickstarter-petition-started-for-timesplitters-4/|title=Kickstarter Petition Started for TimeSplitters 4|work=EGMNOW.com|access-date=February 18, 2014|archive-date=December 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212093032/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/kickstarter-petition-started-for-timesplitters-4/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 27, 2012, a spokesperson from Crytek confirmed that ''TimeSplitters 4'' was "not in development",<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Richard|date=2012-04-27|title=Crytek: TimeSplitters 4 is not in development|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012-04-27-crytek-timesplitters-4-is-not-in-development.html|access-date=2020-11-25|website=[[Engadget]]|language=en}}</ref> and in June 2012, Yerli stated that:<blockquote>"Look, I wish we were working on it. The thing with ''TimeSplitters'' is, if we made a sequel to ''TimeSplitters'', nobody would accept this apart from some fans, and we don't know how big the fan community is unfortunately."<ref>{{cite web|date=2012-06-11|title=Crytek CEO weighs options for TimeSplitters 4|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/353240/crytek-ceo-weighs-options-for-timesplitters-4|website=[[Computer and Video Games]]}}</ref></blockquote>In July 2013, [[TechRadar]] spoke to Ellis who, when asked if ''TimeSplitters 4'' would ever be released on [[Eighth generation of video game consoles|8th generation consoles]] (such as [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]]), replied with a statement suggesting it was highly unlikely:<blockquote>"I don't think there's any chance that's going to happen, you always got to the point where the marketing person in the room would say 'I don't know how to sell this' because they want a character that they can put on the front of the box. Every marketing person and every publisher we spoke to [said] 'You can't have that as your selling point' and maybe the sales figures of previous games backed that up."<ref>{{cite web|author=Langley|first=Hugh|date=2013-07-18|title=No chance of TimeSplitters 4 on Xbox One or PS4|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/timesplitters-developer-no-chance-of-timesplitters-4-on-xbox-one-or-ps4-1166815|work=[[TechRadar]]}}</ref></blockquote>This prediction was made more concrete by the shutdown of Crytek UK in 2014, with the majority of the company's staff moving to [[Deep Silver]]'s [[Dambuster Studios]].<ref name=":33">{{Cite web|last=Hood|first=Vic|date=2019-08-14|title=TimeSplitters is coming back for another round of multiplayer madness|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/timesplitters-is-coming-back-for-another-round-of-multiplayer-madness|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[TechRadar]]|language=en}}</ref>

In April 2018, a collection of previously unrevealed concept art for the game was made available on [[Reddit]], showing characters from multiple time periods and locations, including Ancient Greece and 1950s United States.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2018-04-18|title=Concept art for cancelled TimeSplitters 4 shows never-before-seen characters|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-04-18-cancelled-timesplitters-4-concept-art-shows-never-before-seen-characters|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref>

====''TimeSplitters Rewind''====
On November 29, 2012, it was revealed that, partly in response to a petition for the release of an [[High-definition video|HD]] version of the series' original trilogy,<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Tach|first=Dave|date=2012-11-29|title=Facebook group receives Crytek's blessing to remake TimeSplitters, calls for modders|language=en|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/11/29/3707228/facebook-group-receives-cryteks-blessing-to-remake-timesplitters|access-date=2020-11-22}}</ref> a group of fans had been given permission by Crytek to develop a ''TimeSplitters'' mod using [[CryEngine|CryEngine 3]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Farrelly|first=Steve|date=2012-11-29|title=Crytek Offers Support Behind a CryEngine TimeSplitters Mod|url=https://www.ausgamers.com/news/read/3257940/crytek-offers-support-behind-a-cryengine-timesplitters-mod|access-date=2020-11-22|website=AusGamers}}</ref> The project lead, Michael Hubicka, stated that:<blockquote>"''TimeSplitters 4'' is our ultimate goal, but first we have to convince Crytek there is sufficient demand for the series through [an] HD Collection."<ref name=":3" /></blockquote>The game, named ''TimeSplitters Rewind'', will combine "greatest hits" elements from across the trilogy.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|last=Lawardorn|first=Damien|date=2020-01-08|title=TimeSplitters Rewind to Release with 'Feasible Amount of Content' to Start|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/timesplitters-rewind-to-release-with-feasible-amount-of-content-to-start/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Escapist Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> The team have stated that, although the engine will give ''Rewind'' more of a modern look, they "didn't plan on fixing something that isn't broken."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Slabaugh|first=Brett|date=2013-03-13|title=TimeSplitters Respawns Onto PC|url=https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/122678-TimeSplitters-Respawns-Onto-PC|access-date=2020-11-22|website=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112025244/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/122678-TimeSplitters-Respawns-Onto-PC|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is expected to feature both story and multiplayer modes and to be free of charge on the PC.<ref name=":4" /> The development team originally planned to develop the game using the [[Unreal Engine 4]]; however in 2017, they revealed an intention to instead use CryEngine 3, due to concerns that the Unreal version would be unable to "use the ''TimeSplitters'' IP and would likely have to re-brand."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blake|first=Vikki|date=2017-07-24|title=TimeSplitters Rewind devs are "in talks with Crytek" to keep it going in CryEngine|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/timesplitters-rewind/timesplitters-rewind-fan-game-cryengine|access-date=2020-11-22|website=PCGamesN|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In January 2020, the team announced a shift in the game's intended release model, stating that they would begin by releasing a small, but "feasible" amount of content initially, followed later by further maps and content.<ref name=":22" /> In September 2020, new gameplay footage was released, over which the project's lead writer stated that "the game is looking and feeling really close", and has 57 people working on it.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=2020-09-19|title=TimeSplitters Rewind re-emerges with 30 minute gameplay video|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-19-timesplitters-rewind-re-emerges-with-30-minute-gameplay-video|access-date=2020-11-22|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> This was followed by a further update in December 2021 which indicated that the game was entering a "second round of QA testing"; however, no release window was provided.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lara|first=James|date=2021-12-30|title=Fan-Made TimeSplitters Rewind Gets Development Update|url=https://mp1st.com/news/fan-made-timesplitters-rewind-gets-development-update|access-date=2022-01-05|website=MP1st|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 26 October 2025, the anniversary of the North American release of the original ''TimeSplitters'', the ''Rewind'' team launched an official website for the game, which prominently featured a countdown to 23 November.

==== ''TimeSplitters 2'' HD remake ====
During an interview in 2012 about their mobile game studio, Crash Lab, former Free Radical team members Steve Ellis, Martin Wakeley and Lee Musgrave confirmed that an HD version of ''TimeSplitters 2'' had been in development as a downloadable product during 2008; however, the product was never released before Free Radical shut down.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2012-10-02|title=TimeSplitters 2 HD was in development at Free Radical Design|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-02-timesplitters-2-hd-was-in-development-at-free-radical-design|access-date=2020-11-24|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> Ellis expressed a desire to see the HD version released eventually, opining that "it could be the catalyst that is required in order to raise enough interest in ''TimeSplitters 4'' that a publisher might want to fund it."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Devore|first=Jordan|date=2012-10-02|title=Sad face: TimeSplitters 2 HD was being worked on in 2008|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/sad-face-timesplitters-2-hd-was-being-worked-on-in-2008-236003.phtml|access-date=2020-11-25|website=[[Destructoid]]|language=en}}</ref>

As an [[Easter egg (media)|easter egg]] within ''[[Homefront: The Revolution]]'', developed by Dambuster Studios and released by Deep Silver in 2016, players could use an in-game [[Arcade cabinet|arcade machine]] to play the first two levels of ''TimeSplitters 2'', remade in high-definition.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2016-03-30|title=You can play TimeSplitters 2's first two levels in Homefront: The Revolution|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-03-30-you-can-play-timesplitters-2s-first-two-levels-in-homefront-the-revolution|access-date=2021-04-06|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> During 2021 interviews, developer Matt Phillips revealed that the game actually contained a full [[4K resolution]] remake of the game.<ref name=":26" /> The unlock code required to access the full version, including multiplayer features, if the arcade machine were moved to a different map, had since been lost by Phillips:<ref name=":26">{{Cite web|last=Skrebels|first=Joe|date=2021-04-06|title=TimeSplitters 2 4K Port Hidden Inside Homefront: The Revolution... But the Unlock Code Is Lost|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/timesplitters-2-4k-port-hidden-inside-homefront-the-revolution-but-the-unlock-code-is-lost|access-date=2021-04-06|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> however, he had given it previously to a friend to "leak" in a [[Discord (software)|Discord]] channel, which the friend had been banned for from the channel,<ref name=":26" /><ref name=":27">{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2021-04-09|title=TimeSplitters 2's 4K port has been locked inside the Homefront sequel for years|url=https://www.polygon.com/22375774/timesplitters-2-homefront-the-revolution-easter-egg-cheat-code-unlock-how-to|access-date=2021-04-11|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|language=en}}</ref> thereby allowing Xbox principal software engineer Spencer Perreault to obtain the code several days after the interview and share it on [[Twitter]].<ref name=":27" /> An insider source later confirmed to [[Eurogamer]] that the unlock codes were from the original game likely for testing or press versions and that the easter egg had only ever been intended to cover the first two levels; however, the fastest way to include those levels was to include the full story mode, with a "soft-lock" in place.<ref name=":28">{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2021-04-12|title=Homefront developer only discovered hidden TimeSplitters 2 codes after game shipped|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-04-12-homefronts-hidden-timesplitters-2-codes-date-back-to-the-original-source|access-date=2021-04-14|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> Dambuster only realised there was a way to unlock the full game after ''Homefront'' shipped.<ref name=":28" />

In another easter egg, this time within the November 2020 "Fallen God" expansion for ''[[SpellForce 3]]'', published by [[THQ Nordic]], whose parent company, the [[Embracer Group]], acquired the rights to ''TimeSplitters'' in 2018, players found an item for sale by an in-game vendor named "''TimeSplitters 2'' Remake."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2020-11-16|title=TimeSplitters 2 Remake not happening, THQ Nordic says|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/16/21569692/timesplitters-2-remake-easter-egg-spellforce-3-joke-not-confirmed-thq-nordic-pc|access-date=2020-11-26|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|language=en}}</ref> The item contained the following in-game blurb:<blockquote>"It's finally coming! The iconic shooter, which has stood the test of time to join the era of modern games."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harradence|first=Michael|date=2020-11-16|title=[UPDATE]TimeSplitters 2 Remake Reportedly Teased By THQ Nordic Via SpellForce 3 Item|url=https://www.psu.com/news/timesplitters-2-remake-reportedly-teased-by-thq-nordic-via-spellforce-3-item/|access-date=2020-11-26|website=PlayStation Universe|language=en-US}}</ref></blockquote>This led to speculation that the company were planning to release this remake as a genuine product; however, a spokesperson for THQ Nordic confirmed that the item was "just an innocent Easter egg" and the vendor was "a character known especially for not telling the truth."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moyse|first=Chris|date=2020-11-16|title=SpellForce 'TimeSplitters 2 remake' reference is just a joke, says THQ Nordic|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/spellforce-timesplitters-2-remake-reference-is-just-a-joke-says-thq-nordic-610367.phtml|access-date=2020-11-26|website=[[Destructoid]]|language=en}}</ref> A subsequent statement from THQ stated that:<blockquote>"The intention behind those easter eggs was pure fun. When Koch Media and Deep Silver are ready to talk about ''TimeSplitters'', they will make sure to get heard."<ref name=":21">{{Cite web|last=Beckwith|first=Michael|date=2020-11-16|title=Timesplitters 2 remake teased by THQ in Spellforce 3 expansion|url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/16/timesplitters-2-remake-unambiguously-referenced-in-spellforce-3-13601534/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Metro|language=en}}</ref></blockquote>

====Untitled ''TimeSplitters'' game====
In August 2018, [[Koch Media]], a subsidiary of [[Embracer Group|THQ Nordic AB]], announced that they had acquired the [[intellectual property]] and publishing rights for ''TimeSplitters'', with the intention of publishing future games in the series via their Deep Silver publishing company.<ref name=":25">{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2018-08-15|title=TimeSplitters has a new owner, and plans are afoot|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-08-15-timesplitters-has-a-new-owner-and-plans-are-afoot|access-date=2021-01-29|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheedlo|first=Ty|date=2018-08-16|title=TimeSplitters Franchise Gets Acquired and is Returning|url=https://screenrant.com/timesplitters-franchise-acquired-returning-thq-nordic/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=[[Screen Rant]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=2019-08-14|title=TimeSplitters Co-Creator Will 'Help Plot the Future Course' of the Series as He Joins THQ Nordic|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/08/timesplitters_co-creator_will_help_plot_the_future_course_of_the_series_as_he_joins_thq_nordic|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[Push Square]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> In August 2019, THQ Nordic announced in their financial report that Steve Ellis had joined the company to "help plot the future course for [the ''TimeSplitters''] franchise."<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Koch Media is ensuring classic brand comebacks are worth the wait|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-11-14-how-koch-media-is-ensuring-classic-brand-comebacks-are-worth-the-wait|access-date=2021-01-29|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=November 14, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Doolan|first=Liam|date=2019-08-14|title=TimeSplitters Co-Creator Joins THQ Nordic To "Plot The Future Course" Of The Series|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/08/timesplitters_co-creator_joins_thq_nordic_to_plot_the_future_course_of_the_series|access-date=2019-08-14|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> Ellis stated that the series' "time has now come" and expressed hopes that "the original team will join hands again."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Khan|first=Zermena|date=2019-08-17|title='Time Has Now Come' for TimeSplitters 4, Says Co-Creator|url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2019/08/17/steve-ellis-talks-timesplitters-4/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=PlayStation LifeStyle}}</ref> Later that month, Dambuster Studios, which includes several former Free Radical staff members, replied to a fan on Twitter, confirming that Ellis had a team "handling the next ''TimeSplitters'' product."<ref name=":21" /> The series' other creator, David Doak, confirmed in an interview that he "isn't directly involved with this new interpretation," but expressed a desire to see it return as a "social experience", rather than a traditional boxed-game product.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|last=Potter|first=Aaron|date=2020-07-02|title=TimeSplitters at 20: How the Cult Classic Series Laid the Groundwork for Modern Hero Shooters|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/timesplitters-20th-anniversary-2020-interview-free-radical-design-feature|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[USgamer]]|language=en}}</ref>

On 20 May 2021, [[Deep Silver]] announced via Twitter that it was reforming Free Radical Design as a new Deep Silver studio (based in [[Nottingham|Nottingham, England]], location of the original Free Radical headquarters)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moyse|first=Chris|date=2021-05-20|title=TimeSplitters studio Free Radical reunites for new series entry|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/timesplitters-studio-free-radical-reunites-for-new-series-entry-629732.phtml|access-date=2021-05-20|website=[[Destructoid]]|language=english}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Shea|first=Brian|date=2021-05-20|title=New TimeSplitters Game Officially In Development As Free Radical Design Reforms|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/05/20/new-timesplitters-game-officially-in-development-as-free-radical-design-reforms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520050934/https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/05/20/new-timesplitters-game-officially-in-development-as-free-radical-design-reforms|url-status=live|archive-date=May 20, 2021|access-date=2021-05-21|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|language=en}}</ref> to create the next entry in the ''TimeSplitters'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|title=TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design reforms with original founders|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-05-20-timesplitters-studio-free-radical-design-reforms-with-original-founders|access-date=2021-05-20|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=May 20, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> It was also announced that the new Free Radical would be headed not just by Ellis, but also by Doak, marking the return of both franchise creators amongst other "key original members;"<ref name=":30">{{Cite web|last=Valentine|first=Rebekah|date=2021-05-20|title=TimeSplitters Studio Free Radical Reforms to Make a New Entry at Last|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/new-timesplitters-officially-announced-from-new-studio-founded-by-original-devs|access-date=2021-05-20|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> however, it did confirm that development on the new game had not yet started,<ref name=":34">{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2021-05-20|title=Deep Silver founds new Free Radical Design to work on TimeSplitters|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-05-20-deep-silver-has-founded-a-new-free-radical-design-to-work-on-timesplitters|access-date=2021-05-20|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> and would begin "in the coming months", once the studio was fully established.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=2021-05-20|title=New TimeSplitters game in the works, Deep Silver confirms|url=https://www.polygon.com/22445448/new-timesplitters-sequel-announced-deep-silver-free-radical-design|access-date=2021-05-20|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":30" />

On 8 November 2023, it was reported that [[Free Radical Design]], who is owned by [[Embracer Group]], was at risk of being closed. People close to the company said that the studio was part of an evaluation and employees had been notified that it could be closed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Embracer's TimeSplitters studio Free Radical faces closure |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/embracers-timesplitters-studio-free-radical-faces-closure/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108171025/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/embracers-timesplitters-studio-free-radical-faces-closure/ |archive-date=8 November 2023 |access-date=9 November 2023 |website=VGC|date=November 8, 2023 }}</ref>
In the lead up to Christmas 2023 it was announced that Free Radical had closed. Many of its employees posted goodbye messages to Twitter and the official website was updated to read "404 Company not found :(".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/timesplitters-studio-free-radical-design-has-closed-employees-say-we-join-an-ever-growing-list-of-casualties-in-a-broken-industry/ | title=TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design has closed: 'We join an ever-growing list of casualties in a broken industry' | website=PC Gamer | date=December 11, 2023 | last1=Chalk | first1=Andy }}</ref>

== Gameplay ==

Each of the ''TimeSplitters'' games are [[first-person shooter]]s which also feature elements of exploration and puzzle-solving.<ref name=":2" /> [[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]] is a core gameplay element, both [[Cooperative video game|co-operative]] such as allowing two players to play through story missions together and competitive multiplayer; however, these multiplayer elements were local play only, without online multiplayer, until the release of ''TimeSplitters: Future Perfect''.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite web|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=2005-03-22|title=TimeSplitters: Future Perfect Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/timesplitters-future-perfect-review/1900-6120898/|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[GameSpot]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

The series' visual style uses character models and expressions emphasizing more [[caricature]]d, [[cartoon]]-like qualities and [[comic book]]-inspired design, supported by animators from traditional [[Traditional animation|2D animation]] backgrounds.<ref name=":18" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Bregman|first=James|date=2005-04-04|title=Timesplitters is future perfect|language=en-GB|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4408401.stm|access-date=2020-11-23}}</ref> Many of the characters represent parodies of established pop culture stereotypes, such as the aristocratic [[English people|English]] explorer or the suave secret agent,<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Houghton|first=David|date=2018-08-15|title=TimeSplitters 2 was an FPS a whole generation ahead of its time. Now games have caught up with its ideas, the series deserves to thrive|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/classic-game-appreciation-section-timesplitters-2/|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|language=en}}</ref> and many aspects of the series focus on often surreal and self-deprecating humor.<ref name=":6" />

===Story mode===
The games' story mode consists of a series of missions that can be played by either one or two players. In the first ''TimeSplitters'', story missions are based upon the retrieval of a key object such as a time crystal and its successful return.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /> ''TimeSplitters 2'' and ''TimeSplitters: Future Perfect'' introduced additional story mode objectives and more complex levels.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=2002-10-08|title=TimeSplitters 2 Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/timesplitters-2-review/1900-2884943/|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[GameSpot]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6" />

===Arcade mode===
Arcade mode is the multiplayer aspect of the ''TimeSplitters'' series, but also provides the option to include AI-controlled [[Video game bot|bots]] with configurable difficulty levels, to act in place of human players.<ref name=":9" /> The games are notable for their large selection of multiplayer modes (such as a total of 16 different competition modes in ''TimeSplitters 2''),<ref name=":8" /> spanning both traditional [[Deathmatch (gaming)|Deathmatch]] and [[Capture the Flag]]-type games,<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /> as well as other ''TimeSplitters''-specific modes such as "Flame Tag", "Virus", "Shrink", and "Monkey Assistant."<ref name=":12" /> The games also provide players with options to customise multiple details of each game mode, such as rules and available weapons, to create a more varied experience.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13" />

In arcade mode, players can choose from a variety of playable characters (a total of 150 in ''Future Perfect'', for example), each with distinct attributes in areas such as speed and stamina.<ref name=":11" />

''TimeSplitters 2'' introduced "Arcade League": a single-player challenge mode using the structure of arcade Mode.<ref name=":8" /> In arcade league, players compete against AI bots to earn trophies and unlock additional arcade mode content, such as playable characters.<ref name=":11" />

===Challenge mode===
Challenge mode, available in all games of the series, consists of sets of single-player [[minigame]] challenges.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":12" /> The challenges, often with an imposed time limit,<ref name=":9" /> span a broad variety of gameplay styles, such as defending against zombies, collecting bananas as a monkey, racing robot cats, and smashing windows with a brick.<ref name=":8" /> Rewards, such as additional characters and weapons for arcade mode, are granted to players upon successful completion of challenges.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|date=2012-05-19|title=TimeSplitters 2|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/11/timesplitters-2|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite web|date=2005-03-30|title=TimeSplitters: Future Perfect Interview|url=https://www.gamingnexus.com/Article/846/TimeSplitters-Future-Perfect-Interview/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=Gaming Nexus|language=en}}</ref>

===MapMaker===
Each game in the series included "MapMaker": a grid-based [[level editor]] in which players could create their own custom content.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Perry|first=Doug|date=2000-10-24|title=TimeSplitters|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/24/timesplitters|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> The first game in the series only allowed creation of multiplayer arcade mode maps, whereas ''TimeSplitters 2'' allowed players to also create single-player story levels with objectives.<ref name=":8" /> The third game added the ability to create maps which take place outdoors, whereas previous games had only allowed the creation of indoor maps.<ref name=":6" /> The online component added to ''Future Perfect'' meant players were able to upload and rate MapMaker creations for online sharing.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web|last=Reed|first=Kristan|date=2004-07-22|title=The Future looks Perfect|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_timesplittersfutureperfect_eahsn|access-date=2020-11-24|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":19" />

== Development ==

=== ''TimeSplitters'' and ''TimeSplitters 2'' (1999–2002) ===
The ''TimeSplitters'' games were developed by [[Free Radical Design]], a development company based in the [[Midlands|Midlands, UK]].<ref name=":17" /> Free Radical was founded in 1999 by five people, all of whom had previously worked for [[Rare (company)|Rare]] on the [[Nintendo 64]] first-person shooters [[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|''GoldenEye 007'']] and ''[[Perfect Dark]]'' for a year and a half of development, but before its release:<ref name=":29">{{Cite web|last=Barnes|first=Adam|date=2021-04-28|title=The history of TimeSplitters: "We naively thought that EA are better at selling games than Eidos"|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-history-of-timesplitters/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|language=en}}</ref> directors David Doak and Steve Ellis set up the company,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stanton|first=Rich|date=2012-05-04|title=Free Radical vs. the Monsters|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-04-free-radical-vs-the-monsters|access-date=2021-05-21|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> and were then followed by director Karl Hilton, soundtrack composer Graeme Norgate, and Lee Ray.<ref name=":29" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name=":16">{{Cite web|last=Perry|first=Douglass|date=2000-06-16|title=Timesplitters Interview|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/17/timesplitters-interview|access-date=2020-11-24|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite web|date=2002-10-11|title=Interview: Free Radical Splits GameCube|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/11/interview-free-radical-splits-gamecube|access-date=2020-11-24|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> As a result of this shared development team, gameplay similarities, and occasionally overlapping settings (such as a Russian dam, as featured in ''TimeSplitters 2''), the ''TimeSplitters'' franchise is often compared to these predecessors,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" /> and considered to be their "spiritual successor."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Porter|first=Jon|date=2021-05-20|title=Acclaimed TimeSplitters franchise set to return under reborn Free Radical studio|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/20/22445699/timesplitters-free-radical-design-deep-silver|access-date=2021-05-21|website=[[The Verge]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Machkovech|first=Sam|date=2021-04-09|title=Goldeneye successor unofficially unlocked as free bonus inside another game|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/04/timesplitters-2s-hd-port-unlocked-thanks-to-long-lost-debug-code/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=[[Ars Technica]]|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Santa Maria|first=Alex|date=2020-11-17|title=TimeSplitters 2 Remake Hopes Turn Out To Be Misunderstood Easter Egg|url=https://screenrant.com/timesplitters-2-remake-easter-egg-not-real-cancel/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=[[Screen Rant]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

Free Radical made an agreement with [[Square Enix Europe|Eidos Interactive]] in February 1999 to "work for roughly three years on a novel FPS".<ref name=":29" /> Although it was not the first game worked on by the team–the first being an FPS with the working title of ''Redemption'':<ref name=":29" /> what would later become [[Second Sight (video game)|''Second Sight'']]–<ref name=":14" /> ''TimeSplitters'' began development after the company received approval to obtain a PlayStation 2 [[Software development kit|devkit]], which were difficult to obtain<ref name=":29" /> and decided to focus on creating a more straightforward shooter whose pace would suit the new console's power,<ref name=":14" /> and which could be developed in time for the PlayStation 2's delayed launch date.<ref name=":29" /> The team approached the project with the intent of increasing not just pace, but also the quantity/variety of enemies compared to ''GoldenEye'' and ''Perfect Dark''.<ref name=":16" /> In the words of David Doak:<blockquote>"Steve [Ellis, lead programmer] got something up and running really quickly. I think Sony were really impressed; their experience had been that people would take six months, eight months, a year to get anything working at all on PS2. It was down to Steve's technical ability: he had a first-person thing up and running fairly quickly."<ref name=":29" /></blockquote>In October 2000, following initial development under the working title of ''MPG'' (''Multiplayer Game''),<ref name=":29" /> the completed ''TimeSplitters'' became Free Radical's first game release,<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /> and was the only PlayStation 2 launch title developed in Europe.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":29" />

This was followed directly by ''TimeSplitters 2'' in October 2002,<ref name=":29" /><ref name=":2" /> which was developed in less than two years and released simultaneously for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube.<ref name=":29" /> Like its predecessor, ''TimeSplitters 2'' was published by Eidos Interactive.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|last=Bramwell|first=Tom|date=2003-09-04|title=No TimeSplitters 3 for Eidos|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news040903eidosts3|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":14" /> Eidos had originally stated that they would not support a GameCube version, claiming it "had no relationship with Nintendo"; however, they reversed that decision once Free Radical offered the publishing rights to [[Activision]].<ref name=":29" />

David Doak described ''TimeSplitters 2'' as "what we thought the first game should have been ... all the ideas we'd had along the way."<ref name=":20">{{Cite web|last=Wise|first=Josh|date=2018-08-24|title=TimeSplitters creator interview: GoldenEye, Future Perfect, and the Koch Media acquisition|url=https://www.videogamer.com/features/timesplitters-creator-interview-goldeneye-future-perfect-and-the-koch-media-acquisition|access-date=2020-11-24|website=VideoGamer.com|language=en}}</ref> This included strengthening the single-player mode, which had received criticism for its lack of depth in the multiplayer-focused original.<ref name=":17" /> Development for the sequel had begun the very next day after the game was completed in September 2000, and would ultimately include enhancements such as a new animation system and improved special effects.<ref name=":17" />

=== ''TimeSplitters: Future Perfect'' (2003–2005) ===
In 2003, a decision was made for Eidos to part ways with Free Radical.<ref name=":15" /> Following this, the team were approached by [[Electronic Arts]], who said that they "love the ''TimeSplitters'' series and they wanted to get involved with it."<ref name=":18" /> In January 2004, EA announced that it would be publishing the series' third entry in the following year, promising "improved gameplay functions, completely revamped graphics, a wholly original storyline and all-new online play".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2004-01-21|title=TimeSplitters 3 Announced|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/21/timesplitters-3-announced|access-date=2020-11-25|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> The game's development team felt that the questions asked by EA during the early stages of its development helped them to refine their process, providing a "fresh approach which encouraged us to focus on specific issues."<ref name=":19" /> For this third game, the team had also shifted to a model where the level designers would choose settings that were "interesting to them" and the lead writers would then establish a narrative to connect those separate elements.<ref name=":23" />

''TimeSplitters: Future Perfect'', was released in March 2005,<ref name=":5" /> following on from Free Radical's first non-''TimeSplitters'' game, ''Second Sight'', in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Davies|first=Marsh|date=2012-05-06|title=Retrospective: Second Sight|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-06-retrospective-second-sight|access-date=2020-11-23|website=[[Eurogamer]]|language=en}}</ref> Prior to the game's release, the developers expressed a desire to establish an "ongoing relationship" with EA;<ref name=":18" /> however, in later interviews, Doak reflected that the game "wasn't successful because EA buried it", recalling a scenario where he was told by an EA rep that there would not be significant marketing investment, because it was instead being invested in ''[[GoldenEye: Rogue Agent]]'', developed by [[Danger Close Games|EA Los Angeles]].<ref name=":20" /> Doak recounts being told that "your game's really good, but unfortunately we've got another game which has turned out to not be as good as we thought it was going to be, and we need to support it with the marketing money."<ref name=":20" /> In Doak's words:<blockquote>"We did ''Future Perfect'' with EA and I think delivered an amazingly good game, but they didn't make the effort to sell it ... and by that time Free Radical was a fairly big company, so we had a lot of mouths to feed. We were quite cross with them, to put it mildly."<ref name=":14" /></blockquote>

=== Future ''TimeSplitters'' games (2007–2023) ===
Following confirmation in 2007 that work on it had begun,<ref name=":0" /> ''TimeSplitters 4'', having failed to secure a publishing deal,<ref name=":1" /> was placed on hold when Free Radical was taken over by Crytek, becoming Crytek UK in 2009.<ref name=":31" /><ref name=":32" /> This was followed in 2014 by the closure of Crytek, at which time, the majority of staff were relocated to Dambuster Studios.<ref name=":33" />

In August 2018, Koch Media acquired the rights to ''TimeSplitters'', and by 2019 had hired series co-creator Steve Ellis to plan the series' future.<ref name=":7" /> Work on "[bringing] the ''TimeSplitters'' franchise back to life" was confirmed in May 2021 with the reformation of Free Radical Design (as part of Deep Silver), although development had not yet begun on the game by that time.<ref name=":30" /><ref name=":34" />

In November 2021, [[Microsoft]] added [[backwards compatibility]] to the [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] and [[Xbox One]] for both ''TimeSplitters 2'' and ''TimeSplitters: Future Perfect'', as part of an Xbox 20th anniversary event.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sansonia|first=Manson|date=2021-11-15|title=TimeSplitters 2 and 3 Added to Xbox Backward Compatibility|url=https://gamerant.com/timesplitters-2-3-xbox-backward-compatibility/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Game Rant|language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{moby game|id=-group/timesplitters-series|name=''TimeSplitters'' series}}

{{Deep Silver}}
{{Free Radical Design}}
{{Embracer Group|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Timesplitters (Series)}}
[[Category:TimeSplitters| ]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:Temporal war fiction]]
[[Category:Video games about time travel]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2000]]
[[Category:Embracer Group franchises]]

Zig Zag Railway

2025-10-26T06:14:55Z

2405:6E00:28EB:A2C0:2CF6:2CF5:30BE:D173: /* 2020s */

{{Short description|Railway line in New South Wales, Australia}}
{{About|the tourist attraction and railway line|The Great Zig Zag railway line|Lithgow Zig Zag|the track feature|Zig zag (railway)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{refimprove|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox heritage railway
| name = Zig Zag Railway
| logo = Zig Zag Railway logo.png
| logo_width = 200
| image_name = 1072 at the Top Points station on the Lithgow Zig Zag railway line.jpg
| caption = [[Queensland BB18¼ class locomotive|BB18¼]] 1072 ''City of Lithgow'' at [[Top Points railway station|Top Points]]
| locale = [[Lithgow, New South Wales|Lithgow]], [[New South Wales]]
| terminus = [[Clarence railway station|Clarence]], [[Bottom Points railway station|Bottom Points]]
| latitude =
| longitude =
| linename = [[New South Wales Government Railways]] [[Main Western railway line|Main Western]]
| builtby = Patrick Higgins (contractor for NSWGR)
| originalopen = 18 October 1869
| closed = 16 October 1910
| originalgauge = {{Track gauge|56.5in|allk=on}}
| preservedgauge = {{Track gauge|42in|lk=on}}
| era = 18 October 1975 – present
| owned =
| operator = Zig Zag Railway Cooperative
| stations = [[Clarence railway station|Clarence]] Mt Sinai Halt No1 Viaduct [[Top Points railway station|Top Points]] Cockerton [[Bottom Points railway station|Bottom Points]]
| length = {{convert|7|km|mi}}
| years1 = 1975
| events1 = Bottom Points to Top Points section opened 18 October
| years2 = 1987
| events2 = Top Points to Mt Sinai section opened 4 April
| years3 = 1988
| events3 = Mt Sinai to Clarence section opened 29 October
| years4 = 2012
| events4 = Operation suspended
| years5 = 2013
| events5 = Badly damaged by bushfires
| website = [http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au www.zigzagrailway.com.au]
|years6=2016|years7=2019|events6=Limited train movements resume (trackwork)|events7=Badly damaged by bushfires|years8=2020|events8=Limited movements recommence (Work trains)|years9=2023|events9= Operations resume}}

The '''Zig Zag Railway''' is an Australian [[heritage railway]], situated near [[Lithgow, New South Wales|Lithgow]], [[New South Wales]]. It was opened by the not-for-profit Zig Zag Railway Co-op as an unpaid volunteer-staffed heritage railway in October 1975, using the alignment of the [[Lithgow Zig Zag]] line that formed part of the [[Main Western railway line|Main Western line]] between 1869 and 1910. The line climbs the western flank of the [[Blue Mountains (New South Wales)|Blue Mountains]], using [[Zig zag (railway)|railway zig zags]] to gain height.

Operation of the heritage railway was suspended in 2012 following accreditation issues with the [[Government of New South Wales]]. The railway was aiming to resume services in October 2013, but was then severely damaged during the [[2013 NSW bushfires]] and then subsequently by torrential rain. Repairs and trials of restored rail vehicles and track commenced in August 2016 and it was planned to re-commence limited heritage operations in 2019, until the [[2019–20 Australian bushfire season#Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury|2019–2020 bushfires]] damaged key infrastructure. The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] further delayed restoration. Heritage train services resumed on 27 May 2023.

==History==
===Construction and abandonment===
{{Multiple image
| total_width = 400
| image1 = Zig Zag Railway.jpg
| width1 = 1334
| height1 = 964
| caption1 = An historical view of the Zig Zag Railway line with Top Road and number 1 viaduct in the foreground, ''Middle Road'' and viaducts numbers 2 & 3, and Bottom Road still part of the [[Main Western railway line|Main Western line]] to the right
| image2 = The old Lithgow zigzag, now part of the Zig Zag Railway.jpg
| width2 = 797
| height2 = 600
| caption2 = Much the same view more than a century later, not long before the [[2013 NSW bushfires]]
}}
The [[Lithgow Zig Zag]] was constructed as part of the [[Main Western railway line|Main Western line]] and opened on the 19 October 1869. Between Lithgow and [[Clarence, New South Wales|Clarence]], the Main Western line needed to climb the western flank of the Blue Mountains, overcoming a vertical distance of {{convert|550|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The alternative eventually decided upon required the use of two [[Zig zag (railway)|railway zig zags]] where all trains had to reverse. The line had a [[ruling grade]] of 1:42 (~2.38%) on three inclines known as the Top Road (above [[Top Points railway station|Top Points]]), Middle Road (between the two zig zags) and Bottom Road (below [[Bottom Points railway station|Bottom Points]]). The line included several short tunnels and some viaducts.<ref name=SHR>{{cite web |url=http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_04_2.cfm?itemid=5045513 |title=Great Zig Zag Railway and Reserves |work=NSW State Heritage Register |publisher=[[Office of Environment & Heritage]] |date=30 September 1997 |access-date=19 April 2012 |archive-date=21 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021083914/http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_04_2.cfm?itemid=5045513 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The steep gradients and need to reverse trains proved to be a serious bottleneck to traffic on the line, and there were several accidents with runaway trains at the reversing points. Attempts were made to mitigate this by realigning the track and relocating and extending the reversing stations, but the problems continued. As early as 1885, plans for alleviating the Zig Zag problem involved the construction of a {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}} long tunnel. This was said to provide little gain for the cost proposed.<ref name=CtBM>{{Citation | author1=Langdon, Mark | title=Conquering the Blue Mountains | chapter=Chapter 6: Avoiding the Lithgow Zig Zag | year=2006 | page=104 | publication-date=2006 | publisher=Eveleigh Press | isbn=978-1-876568-30-6 }}</ref> In 1908, work began on the [[Ten Tunnels Deviation]], a double-tracked route that by-passed the two reversing stations and the upper two inclines, although retaining the Bottom Road with its 1:42 gradient. Once this was completed, the by-passed section was closed in October 1910.<ref name=SHR/>

===Lithgow Valley Reserve===
The main railway corridor of the Great Zig Zag Railway forms part of a Reserve administered by Government, it is administered by a trust made up of volunteers. The area was proclaimed a public reserve in 1881, which was one of the first public reserves in NSW, originally supervised by Blaxland Shire Council. In 1946, it was added to the Trust that administered Hassan's Walls, the trust opened Top Road to road traffic in 1949. In 1964, it added the picnic shelter under number 1 Viaduct, naming it in recognition of H K Cockerton Place. Cockerton served as a trustee for 17 years, instigating the development of the reserve, in 1969, the Reserve was transferred to Lithgow Council. In 1990, the Reserve was placed in the Trust of the Zig Zag Railway Co-Op.

====Revival and preservation====
[[File:ZigZagTopPoints.jpg|thumb|[[Top Points railway station|Top Points station]] in July 2006]]
{{Zig Zag Railway Route}}
In 1967, as the end of steam operation in New South Wales approached, a group of steam enthusiasts headed by Ian Thornton were keen to establish an operating steam museum. The Lithgow Zig Zag was chosen as a suitable site based on its accessibility by day-trippers from Sydney, its scenery, abundant water supplies and availability of coal. In March 1969, negotiations commenced with the Zig Zag Trust, the Department of Lands and the [[City of Lithgow|Lithgow City Council]].<ref name=BlackSmokeBlueMountains>{{cite book|last=Bentley|first=James|title=Black Smoke Blue Mountains|year=1988|publisher=Robert Brown & Associates|isbn=0-949267-58-9|pages=123, 127}}</ref><ref name=ZigZagTrust>{{cite book|title=The Lithgow ZigZag Railway|year=1976|publisher=Zig Zag Trust & Zig Zag Railway Co-op}}</ref>

In 1972, the Lithgow Switchback Railway Co-op Limited was formed and this became the Zig Zag Railway Co-operative Limited in 1974.<ref>Enthusiast Railway for Lithgow Zig Zag ''[[Railway Transportation]]'' September 1972 page 28</ref> At this time, the Commissioner for Railways only made heritage locomotives and rolling stock available to the officially sponsored [[NSW Rail Museum|New South Wales Rail Transport Museum]]. Thus the line was relaid to {{Track gauge|1067mm}} narrow gauge as used in [[Queensland]], [[South Australia]] and [[Tasmania]] rather than the New South Wales {{Track gauge|1435mm}} to allow locomotives and carriages to be procured from these states.<ref name=ZigZagTrust/>

In 1975, the new track was complete on the Middle Road between Bottom Points and Top Points. On 29 August 1975 [[Queensland DD17 class locomotive|1046]] operated the first journey from Bottom Points to Top Points.<ref>Zig Zag Railway ''[[Sunshine Express (periodical)|Sunshine Express]]'' December 1975 page 173</ref><ref>Lithgow Zig Zag Railway ''[[Continental Railway Journal]]'' issue 25 March 1976 page 404</ref> Services commenced on 18 October 1975, the 106th anniversary of the original opening.<ref name=ZigZagTrust/>

On 4 April 1987, the line was opened along the ''Top Road'' between ''Top Points'' and ''Mt Sinai Halt'' and on 29 October 1988, through to [[Clarence, New South Wales|Clarence]].<ref>Zig Zag Railway On Top ''[[Railway Digest]]'' August 1987 page 260</ref> A further extension to meet the [[Main Western railway line|Main Western line]] at [[Newnes Junction railway station|Newnes Junction]] has been started with track laid for 50% of the distance.

On 25 January 1996, locomotive 1072 derailed after hitting maintenance equipment. No injuries are known to be reported.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiRQh2YyOak |title=Zig Zag Railway Derailment 25th January 1996 |website=[[YouTube]] |date=16 February 2022 |access-date=28 May 2023 |archive-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528105318/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiRQh2YyOak&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live}}</ref>{{bettersource|date=May 2023}}

===Closure and bushfire damage===
====Accreditation and collision====
In August 2006, the Independent Transport Safety Regulator (ITSR), an agency of the Government of New South Wales that regulates safety and accredits railway operators, identified the Zig Zag Railway (and one other operator) as a "higher risk" isolated line operator because of its complex operations and high numbers of passenger trips. The ITSR gave Zig Zag Co-operative additional time to develop a safety improvement plan in order to comply with the Act, which took effect for all heritage railway operators from 1 January 2007.<ref>{{Cite Legislation AU|NSW|act||Rail Safety Act, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transportregulator.nsw.gov.au/rail/publications/presentations_papers/Safety_Regulation_Heritage_Operators_discussion.pdf/view|title=Discussion paper: Safety regulation of heritage railway operators|date=November 2007|work=Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator|publisher=NSW Government|access-date=20 June 2012|archive-date=11 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411023710/http://www.transportregulator.nsw.gov.au/rail/publications/presentations_papers/Safety_Regulation_Heritage_Operators_discussion.pdf/view|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 April 2011, an incident occurred resulting in a collision between a maintenance vehicle and a two-car rail motor, between Clarence and Top Points stations. Travelling in opposite directions and carrying one passenger (in the [[Hy-rail]]) plus one driver of each rail vehicle, two injuries were sustained. A subsequent investigation by the Office of Transport Safety Investigations found that the principal error was miscommunication. The inquiry also identified that a number of other factors were found to have contributed to the collision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otsi.nsw.gov.au/rail/Interim-Factual-Statement-Zig-Zag-Collision-2011-04-01.pdf|publisher=Office of Transport Safety Investigations|work=Rail Safety Investigation Report|title=Collision between Hi-Rail and Rail Motor, Zig Zag Railway, Clarence: 1 April 2011|year=2011|access-date=20 June 2012|archive-date=9 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409111440/http://www.otsi.nsw.gov.au/rail/Interim-Factual-Statement-Zig-Zag-Collision-2011-04-01.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

From March 2012, only railcars could be operated and in June 2012, the ITSR ordered a cessation of all services until a number of safety issues were addressed.<ref>[http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/update-zig-zag-railway Update on Zig Zag Railway] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019133554/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/update-zig-zag-railway |date=19 October 2013 }} [[Transport for NSW]] 6 September 2012</ref> The railway was then aiming to resume services in October 2013.<ref>[http://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/1497845/zig-zag-railway-postpones-reopening/ Zig Zag Railway postpones reopening] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019144343/http://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/1497845/zig-zag-railway-postpones-reopening/ |date=19 October 2013 }} ''[[Lithgow Mercury]]'' 14 May 2013</ref>

====2013 bushfire and storm damage====
The railway was severely damaged by the 'State Mine Fire', part of the [[2013 New South Wales bushfires|October 2013 bushfires]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Holliday|first=Rebekah|title=Fire tears through iconic Zig Zag Railway|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fire-tears-through-iconic-zig-zag-railway-20131019-2vt6v.html|access-date=19 October 2013|newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019005223/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fire-tears-through-iconic-zig-zag-railway-20131019-2vt6v.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The railway suffered millions of dollars of damage which included ten passenger carriages and four accommodation carriages. The most extensive damage caused by the fires was at Bottom Points workshop where most of the north side was destroyed. This included the spare parts stores, offices and most of the machine shop. Electrical equipment to operate signals was totally destroyed as was the repeater tower for the safety radio communication system and the internal telephone lines and exchange. One thousand new [[railway sleeper]]s were also lost as was the caretaker's converted accommodation carriage. Locomotive 1047, which had been stored behind Bottom Points workshop, was also badly damaged. Much of the damage was suffered by original railway equipment from the 1920s. At that time, it was estimated that the railway would take a full year to recover from the State Mine Fire. Heavy rain then caused subsequent damage to an embankment near the western end of the Clarence tunnel, the platform area at Top Points, and to the run around loop track at Bottom Points.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/2826594/zig-zag-railway-battling-adversity-to-finally-get-itself-back-on-track/?cs=1432 |title=Zig Zag Railway battling adversity to finally get itself back on track |work=[[Blue Mountains Gazette]] |date=20 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |archive-date=21 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121085735/http://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/2826594/zig-zag-railway-battling-adversity-to-finally-get-itself-back-on-track/?cs=1432 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2017, restoration of vehicles and infrastructure were still being undertaken and hopes were for recommencement of services as soon as safe and practical. Due to the complexity of repairs and reinstatement infrastructure, the re-opening was hoped for late 2019, but all hopes were dashed with the damage from the 2019 bushfires.<ref>[http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au/ Zig Zag Railway] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230193747/http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au/ |date=30 December 2014 }} Zig Zag Railway</ref> The railway’s website and Facebook page both have updates on the redevelopment.<ref name="2013 fire damage">{{cite web| last=Holliday| first=Rebekah| title=Fire tears through iconic Zig Zag Railway| url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fire-tears-through-iconic-zig-zag-railway-20131019-2vt6v.html| date=19 October 2013| work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]| access-date=19 October 2013| archive-date=19 October 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019005223/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fire-tears-through-iconic-zig-zag-railway-20131019-2vt6v.html| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Pillans|first1=Laura|title=What next for the Zig Zag Railway?|url=http://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/2816806/what-next-for-the-zig-zag-railway/|website=[[Lithgow Mercury]]|access-date=7 May 2017|language=en|date=15 January 2015|archive-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908020720/http://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/2816806/what-next-for-the-zig-zag-railway/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2019 bushfire damage and ongoing repairs====
In late December 2019, the Zig Zag Railway was hit by the Gospers Mountain bushfire. The station buildings and most of the rolling stock survived with the exception of a few already vandalised carriages. The toilet block, storage areas, communications hut, signalling equipment, water and power supplies and main office with the past 45 years of records were all destroyed along with an estimated 1500 sleepers all of which pushed the reopening a few years back.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-24|title=Historic railway badly damaged by NSW bushfire, but 'God's own backburn' saves museum|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-24/gospers-mountain-bushfire-damages-zig-zag-railway/11825876|access-date=2020-07-25|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU|archive-date=26 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226212807/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-24/gospers-mountain-bushfire-damages-zig-zag-railway/11825876|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 24th July 2020, diesel locomotive 1004 became the first locomotive to travel from Bottom Points Station to Clarence station since the cessation of steam services in March 2012. Works trains had previously only operated on the Middle Road (Bottom Points to Top Points) due to the extensive damage at Clarence caused by the 2013 embankment slip.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bastow|first=Ciara|date=2020-07-24|title=Eight years in the making; A locomotive pulls up to Zig Zag Railway|url=https://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/6848230/eight-years-in-the-making-a-locomotive-pulls-up-to-zig-zag-railway/|access-date=2020-07-25|website=Lithgow Mercury|language=en|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725001046/https://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/6848230/eight-years-in-the-making-a-locomotive-pulls-up-to-zig-zag-railway/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2020s====
In March 2020, the railway was well into the project of making the rail corridor safe when storms struck Zig Zag, this impacted the return to service the railway was heading for. The ability of workers and volunteers to come onsite was impacted by COVID-19 restrictions in NSW between March and September 2020 and June and November 2021, slowing the progress of work on the railway. Additionally, the railway has been repeatedly affected by weather events, such as storms in January and March 2022.

Eleven years after the last revenue-earning steam train operated on the line, Zig Zag finally reopened to the public on 27 May 2023.<ref>[https://www.news.com.au/national/blue-mountains-historic-zig-zag-railway-reopens/video/ea899224c40c8bff634ba8d77ae57b16 Blue Mountains historic Zig Zag Railway reopens] ''[[News.com.au]]'' 27 May 2023</ref> Over 2,000 people visited the site on the reopening weekend of 27th-28th May 2023, with more than 1,800 riding the train on its first weekend of operations.<ref>{{cite web | title=Cheering and clapping as Blue Mountains Zig Zag Railway gets back on track after bushfire 'sucker punch' | work=ABC News | date=27 May 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-27/zigzag-railway-reopens-after-decade-long-closure/102397650 }}</ref>

The railway celebrated its reopening and 154th anniversary on 21st October 2023 with a tape-cutting ceremony, pre-booked steam train rides, local performances, displays, heritage buses and market stalls.<ref>[https://artsoutwest.org.au/events/grand-re-opening-of-zig-zag-railway Grand Re-Opening of Zig-Zag Railway] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209093820/https://artsoutwest.org.au/events/grand-re-opening-of-zig-zag-railway/ |date=9 December 2023 }} ''[[Artsoutwest.org.au]]'' 21 October 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/8375797/iconic-zig-zag-steam-railway-celebrates-birthday-in-style/ Iconic Zig Zag steam railway celebrates birthday in style] ''[[Bluemountainsgazette.com.au]]'' 9 October 2023</ref>

Circa June 2025, the railway acquired ex-[[Queensland Rail]] 1700-class locomotives 1707D and 1741D, fully restoring 1741 and placing 1707 aside with a view to future restoration.

==Former schedule==
Prior to the suspension of services in 2012, the Zig Zag Railways was unique in New South Wales being the only heritage operator to run every day except Christmas Day. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays railmotors were operated. Every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday a steam locomotive with train would operate with Sunday having a two train timetable. Special events included [[Day Out with Thomas]] and a [[Hogwarts Express|Wizards Express]] event held a couple of times per year. During most school holidays, steam services ran every day. Passengers could join the service at Bottom Points where [[Zig Zag railway station]] is served by [[NSW TrainLink]] services from [[Central railway station, Sydney|Sydney]] or at Clarence which is adjacent to the [[Bells Line of Road]].

==Locomotives and rolling stock==
The locomotives and rolling stock on the Zig Zag Railway have been mainly sourced from [[Queensland Rail]]ways, but there are also items from the [[South Australian Railways]] and [[Emu Bay Railway]].

The collection includes [[Queensland Railways 2000 class rail motor]]s, Queensland Railways Evans carriages, Emu Bay Railway diesel locomotives, South Australian Railways end platform carriages and several older carriages and a considerable number of freight style vehicles that are used for demonstration trains, fire fighting, and track and infrastructure repair and maintenance.

===Steam locomotives===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Number & Name
! Image
! Description
! Status
! Livery
! Notes
|-
|218A ''The Yank''
|[[File:218A_Zig_Zag.jpg|218A ''The Yank'', Queensland AC16 class 2-8-2 locomotive|150x150px]]
|[[Queensland Rail|QR]] 2-8-2 [[Queensland AC16 class locomotive|AC16]]
|Operational
|Green (Previously Black & Silver)
|Operated from 2008 until 2011 before mechanical overhaul. Operational since May 2021.
|-
|934
|[[File:Zig Zag Railway Steam Engine 934.jpg|934, Queensland C17 class 4-8-0 locomotive|150x150px]]
|QR 4-8-0 [[Queensland C17 class locomotive|Class C17]]
|Under overhaul
|Red
|Operated from 1986 until 2010, currently undergoing full overhaul.
|-
|966 ''City of Rockhampton''
|[[File:Loco Awaiting Restoration Zig Zag Railway - panoramio.jpg|150px]]
|QR 4-8-0 [[Queensland C17 class locomotive|Class C17]]
|Stored
|Black
|Stored at [[Clarence railway station|Clarence]].
|-
|1046
|
|QR 4-6-4T [[Queensland DD17 class locomotive|DD17]]
|Out of service
|Blue
|Operated from 1975 until 1983, dismantled with parts stored in various places around the railway.
|-
|1047
|[[File: 249 Zig Zag Rly, Lithgow, Oct 79 (52155034069).jpg|1047 loco, Queensland 4-6-4T DD17, awaiting restoration|150x150px]]
|QR 4-6-4T DD17
|Stored, awaiting restoration
|Green (Previously Blue)
|Operated from 1978 until 1998, stored awaiting restoration, damaged by 2013 fires.
|-
|1049 ''Stormin' Normin''
|[[File:Zig Zag railway - panoramio (6).jpg|1049 ''Stormin' Normin'', Queensland 4-6-4T DD17|150x150px]]
|QR 4-6-4T DD17
|Stored, awaiting overhaul
|Blue
|Operated from 1994 until 2011, stored awaiting major boiler overhaul.
|-
|1072 ''City of Lithgow''
|[[File:Steam locomotive 1072, Zig Zag railway, NSW, Australia - 2.jpg|1072 ''City of Lithgow'', Queensland BB18¼ class locomotive|150x150px]]
|QR 4-6-2 [[Queensland BB18¼ class locomotive|BB18¼]]
|Stored, awaiting overhaul
|Black (Previously Dark Green)
|Operated from 1980 until 2011, stored awaiting mechanical overhaul.
|-
|402
|[[File:South Australian Railways 400 class Beyer-Garratt articulated steam locomotives at Jamestown, 1968.jpg|150px]]
|[[South Australian Railways|SAR]] 4‑8‑2+2‑8‑4 Garratt [[South Australian Railways 400 class|400 class]]
|Stored
|Green
|Stored at Bottom Points.
|}

===Diesel locomotives===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Number & Name
! Image
! Description
! Status
! Notes
|-
|1003
|
|[[Emu Bay Railway 10 class]]
|Stored, awaiting restoration
|Stored at Bottom Points pending restoration.
|-
|1004 ''Emu Bay''
|[[File:Emu Bay Railway Bo-Bo no. 1004.jpg|1004 ''Emu Bay'', Emu Bay Railway 10 Class|150x150px]]
|Emu Bay Railway 10 Class
|Operational
|Operated from 2001 to present, used for works trains
|-
|6
|
|Mines engine, powered by [[L Gardner & Sons|Gardner]] engine, designed to haul low level flat wagons
|Scrapped
|Disposed of in 2013. Formerly used for hauling works trains.
|-
|1707D
|
|QR 1700 class
|Stored
|Recently arrived
|-
|1741D
|
|1720 Class
|Operational
|Recently arrived
|}

===Railmotors===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Number
! Image
! Description
! Status
! Notes
|-
|2006, 2011, 2051
|[[File:Clarence at peak hour - March 2009.jpg|150x150px]]
|[[Queensland Rail|QR]] [[Queensland Railways 2000 class rail motor|2000 class rail motor]]
|Stored, awaiting restoration
|Stored at Bottom Points pending restoration.
|-
|2020
|[[File:ZigZag02LB.jpg|229x229px]]
|QR 2000 class rail motor
|Stored, awaiting restoration
|Stored at Top Points, awaiting restoration
|-
|2055
|
|QR 2000 class rail motor
|Stored
|Stored at Clarence.
|-
|2008
|
|QR 2000 class rail motor
|Stored
|Burnt in October 2013 bushfire.
|-
|2016
|[[File:ZigZagRailmotorClarence2016RIP2012.jpg|Queensland 2000 class rail motor. Burnt in October 2013 bushfire. Dismantled for scrap in 2018|150x150px]]
|QR 2000 class rail motor
|Scrapped
|Burnt in October 2013 bushfire. Dismantled for scrap in 2018
|}

=== Passenger carriages ===
During the early 1970s, four ex-NSWR sleeping cars were located at the Bottom Points of the Zig Zag to provide stationary sleeping accommodation, meal and ablution facilities for its volunteer train crews and workers. These were all destroyed by the 2013 fires.

Five [[South Australian Railways]] end platform carriages made redundant by the opening of the standard gauge [[Broken Hill railway line]] were purchased in 1972 and these were used to inaugurate services. A set of five [[New South Wales American Suburban carriage stock|end platform carriages]] was purchased in 1974 from the [[Public Transport Commission]] of NSW but ultimately not used when 15 Evans side door compartment carriages were purchased from Queensland Railways in 1986 went into service instead. Subsequently additional carriages were purchased from the [[Beaudesert railway line|Beaudesert railway]].<ref name=BlackSmokeBlueMountains/><ref name=ZigZagTrust/>

=== Freight and works vehicles ===
Zig Zag Railway has a variety of four-wheeled and eight-wheeled freight, fire fighting, and works vehicles. These include fuel and water tank cars, hopper wagons, flat wagons and covered and louvered vans. These vehicles have been sourced from NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. It also had one Hi-Rail vehicle (that can operate on road or rail).

==Film use==
In 2003, the railway was used in the production of the [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] film [[Stealth (film)|''Stealth'']].<ref>{{cite web|title=Stealth (2005)|website=[[IMDb]]|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382992/|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=1 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701055645/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382992/|url-status=live}}</ref> The area stood in for mountainous regions in [[North Korea]] and locomotives were specially painted with Korean [[Hangul|Chosongul (Hangul)]] characters.

In 2024, the railway was also used for the BBC One and Stan drama series [[Ten Pound Poms (TV series)|Ten Pounds Poms]], depicting the life of British immigrants to Australia in the postwar era under a government migration scheme. Scenes were filmed at Top Points station, on the train itself, and from external angles, making the most of the dramatic mountain scenery that the railway offers. The railway's appearance in Series 2, Episode 5, aired on Stan in Australia in March 2025.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last1=Belbin |first1=Phillip |last2=Burke |first2=David |title=Full Steam Across the Mountains | year=1981 |publication-date=1981 |publisher=Methuen Australia |isbn=978-0-454-00278-2 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9551751}}
* {{cite book |last=Bayley |first=William Alan |title=Blue Mountains Railways |year=1980 |publication-date=1980 |publisher=Austrail Publications |isbn=978-0-909597-23-8 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10012223?q&versionId=11630813}}
* {{cite book |author=New South Wales Parliament Standing Committee on Public Works |title=Report together with minutes of evidence, appendices, and plans, relating to the proposed deviation to avoid the Lithgow ZigZag |publication-date=1894 |publisher=Charles Potter, Govt. Printer |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/8394694}}
* {{cite book |last=Sallis |first=Roger |title=Australian Preservation of Narrow Gauge Railways |year=1979 |location=Hyde Park, SA, Australia |publication-date=1979 |chapter=Chapter 5 |pages=68–82 |publisher=Peacock Publications |isbn=978-0-909209-26-1}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Lithgow Zig Zag|Zig Zag Railway}}
*{{Official website|http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au}}

{{City of Lithgow topics}}
{{Railway lines in New South Wales|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|33|28|18.33|S|150|11|39.20|E|dim:500_scale:5000_region:AU-NSW_type:landmark_source:dewiki|display=title}}

[[Category:3 ft 6 in gauge railways in Australia]]
[[Category:Australian companies established in 1975]]
[[Category:History of the Blue Mountains (New South Wales)]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 1975]]
[[Category:Railways with Zig Zags]]
[[Category:Tourist railways in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Railway museums in New South Wales]]