Crystal Dynamics is developing a new Tomb Raider game and Amazon Games will publish the title. News of the title came in April with Crystal Dynamics stating that the title will run on Unreal Engine 5.
“Our goal is to push the envelope of fidelity and to deliver the high-quality cinematic action-adventure experience that fans deserve from both Crystal Dynamics and the Tomb Raider franchise,” said Crystal Dynamic’s Tomb Raider franchise manager Dallas Dickinson at the time.
The Tomb Raider franchise debuted in 1996 and was revitalized when the series rebooted in 2013. The game was followed by Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015) and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018). All three games were largely successful and a Tomb Raider film was also released in 2018. However, the title did not do as well as expected and MGM lost the film rights in May.
New Game, Same Tomb Raider
According to Amazon Games’ announcement, the upcoming Tomb Raider will be a narrative-driven single-player adventure title like its predecessors. The new game will feature all the familiar elements that players expect in a Tomb Raider title. Players will be able to solve challenging puzzles and creatively explore the game’s world. Additionally, the title promises to be the most expansive game in the franchise. However, with the title still early in development, details concerning the plot are not yet available.
“Tomb Raider is one of the most beloved IPs in entertainment history,” says Amazon Games VP Christoph Hartmann. “Amazon Games is committed to bringing players games of the highest quality, from the best developers, across all variety of platforms and genres, and we’re honored by the opportunity to work with this storied developer and franchise. Our team is incredibly excited about collaborating with the talented and visionary Crystal Dynamics team to bring the next chapter of Lara Croft’s saga to players around the world.”
Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics, Scot Amos, states that the company can choose a new publisher for the franchise thanks to Embracer’s recent acquisition. The choice is surprising considering Embracer owns multiple publishers, however it is possible that the deal with Amazon Games was already in motion by the time Embracer began its acquisition.
“Transformative is what we’re looking for, and with Amazon Games, we found a team that shares our creative vision, ambitions, and values for a Lara Croft universe across the spectrum of possibilities,” says Amos. “They’re uniquely positioned to rewrite what publishing and development collaborations are, and we’re eager to forge this new path together, starting with building the biggest and best Tomb Raider game yet!”
Upcoming Games
While the new Tomb Raider game is still in early development, plenty of enticing games are launching in 2023. Third-person RPG, Hogwarts Legacy releases for console and PC in February. Star Wars: Jedi Survival and Octopath Traveler II are also releasing next year. Additionally, a game featuring Black Panther and Captain America is in the works as is a new Iron Man title.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
