TimeSplitters 4 was Shot Down in a Haze

There are various reasons why TimeSplitters 4 is finding it tricky to exist, one of them being the flawed 2008 shooter Haze.

The PlayStation 3 exclusive first person shooter was panned by the general media and public due to an array of game-breaking glitches, a short solo campaign and criticisms about the storyline and visuals. The performance of Haze even reached a point where its publisher, Ubisoft, was accused of requesting reviews to be removed.

In an interview with gaming magazine GamesTM ex-Free Radical and Rare designer Steve Ellis (GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark) recalled the developer's struggles in getting a fourth TimeSplitters game to market as potential publishers questioned the team's performance with Haze. Given the company (who were comprised of former Rare staff) had a high reputation in piecing together sublime shooting games and had suddenly underperformed with Haze, it was a cause for concern.

It would be like if Square Enix released a critically flawed Final Fantasy for example.

The lack of a "clear and easily communicated marketing message" also hurt the project's potential.

A legion of fans are still working to eventually bring TimeSpliters back to the market, forming a Facebook group and a petition to release a HD Timesplitters remastered trilogy.