THQ Nordic denies a TimeSplitters 2 remake is coming after an easter egg renewed hope

Sorry, TimeSplitters fans, it looks like recent hope of a new game might have just been dashed.

Despite an easter egg in SpellForce 3: Fallen God, THQ Nordic says that a TimeSplitters 2 remake is not coming.

Timesplitters fans are a patient group. The classic FPS was prominent during the early 2000s, charming players with its wacky characters and too-cool-for-school attitude. It was a game from many of the creative forces behind the N64's Goldeneye and was one of the best shooter franchises on the PS2.

There hasn't been another game in the franchise since 2005. The wait has been long for those hopeful the series might come back.

That hope was renewed recently with the release of SpellForce 3: Fallen God. A vendor in the game sells several odd trinkets and one of them is a copy of TimeSplitters 2 Remake. Some interpreted this as a stealth announcement for the project. THQ Nordic's parent company Embracer Group owns the franchise, so it's not such an outlandish idea.

However, in a conversation with Eurogamer, THQ Nordic played down the item in the game as a joke. A spokesperson said: “This is just an innocent Easter egg. The vendor in the game is a character known especially for not telling the truth.”

The vendor also sells a canceled version of Biomutant, which is still in development.

It's a cruel prank to play on long-suffering Timesplitters fans, but perhaps there is some hope. This could be a ploy from THQ Nordic to gauge interest in such a remake. Or even if unintentional, it could still have a similar effect, encouraging the rights holders to consider this new hope.

Rumors of a new Timesplitters game have circulated since THQ Nordic picked up the rights. Last year, it was said that series creator Steve Ellis was on board to help try and plot the future for the franchise. Sadly, news on that future has failed to materialize yet.