TimeShift is a term that refers to multiple distinct concepts, most notably a 2007 first-person shooter video game, a system restore utility for Linux, and a general concept related to time-delayed broadcasting.
Video Game
TimeShift is a first-person shooter (FPS) video game developed by Saber Interactive and published by Vivendi Games (under the Sierra Entertainment brand). It was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 in October/November 2007, and for PlayStation 3 in November/December 2007.
The core gameplay mechanic involves the player's ability to manipulate time — slowing, stopping, or rewinding time — to overcome enemies and solve puzzles. The player character wears a "Beta Suit" equipped with an integrated AI named S.S.A.M. (Strategic Systems for Adaptable Metacognition) and must pursue Dr. Aiden Krone, a rogue scientist who has altered the timeline to establish a dystopian regime.
The game received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to Metacritic. Reviewers found the gameplay derivative of earlier FPS titles and criticized the plot, though the core mechanics and polish were generally praised. Development was delayed multiple times, and the game underwent a significant overhaul before release.
Software Tool
Timeshift (often stylized in lowercase) is a free and open-source system restore utility for Linux distributions. It was originally developed by Tony George (TeejeeeTech) and is now maintained under Linux Mint. The application provides functionality similar to Windows System Restore or macOS Time Machine.
Timeshift protects system files and settings by taking incremental snapshots of the file system at regular intervals. It supports two modes:
- RSYNC mode: Snapshots are taken using rsync and hard-links, with common files shared between snapshots to save disk space.
- BTRFS mode: Snapshots are taken using the built-in snapshot features of the BTRFS filesystem (requires Ubuntu-type subvolume layout).
User files (documents, pictures, music) are excluded by default, as the tool is designed for system protection rather than general backup.
Broadcasting Concept
In broadcasting, "time shifting" (also written as "time-shifting" or "timeshifting") refers to the recording of television or radio programming to a storage medium for later viewing or listening, rather than watching it live. This practice was pioneered with the video cassette recorder (VCR) and became widespread with digital video recorders (DVRs) and services like TiVo.
A timeshift channel (or "+1 channel") is a television channel that carries time-delayed reruns of its parent channel's programming, typically delayed by one hour (e.g., Channel 4 +1 in the UK). In the United States, timeshift channels are commonly identified as "East" and "West" feeds, with a three-hour delay corresponding to the time difference between the Eastern and Pacific time zones.
The legal foundation for time shifting in the United States was established in the landmark Supreme Court case Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc. (1984), also known as the "Betamax case," in which the Court ruled that time shifting for personal use constituted fair use.
