Timesplitters 2 HD once planned for digital release, Killer Instinct HD also considered

A HD version of Timesplitters 2 was once in the works, former Free Radical and Rare employees Steve Ellis, Martin Wakeley and Lee Musgrave have divulged. What's more, it might have paved the way for (1) a HD version of classic fighting game Killer Instinct, and (2) Timesplitters 4. Let the wishful thinking abound.

"We had an 'HD' downloadable version of TimeSplitters 2 in development at Free Radical in 2008," ex-Goldeneye programmer Ellis told Not Enough Shaders - also the source of a fantastic interview on the fate of Killer Instinct 3 with former Rare modeller Donnchadh Murphy.

"I don't know what happened to that but yes, I'd love to see it released at some point," he continued. "The game might have helped the "Maybe 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."

According to Musgrave, TimeSplitters 2 HD could have been the first of several collaborations with third parties to revive old franchises. "Rare outsourced some of the conversion/development of Banjo Kazooie for Xbox Live Arcade, and it was kind of a test case for us to see what could be achieved in terms of developing with a partner, keeping our costs low and making some revenue."

"You can make your own conclusions as to how that turned out by the fact that we didn't move on to any of the other games you mention. We came close to firing off a conversion of Killer Instinct a few times, but there were licensing obstacles to that, and it never really had enough perceived interest to push it forward."

Microsoft teased the impending announcement of something Killer Instincty last month, by way of official blog PlayXBLA. Fingers crossed. As for Timesplitters 4, friends of ours have seen it running.