Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Games announced that the latter would publish the next Tomb Raider title. The multi-platform title would also receive “full support” from the latter.
Announced earlier this year and in development on Unreal Engine 5, the next Tomb Raider is a single-player, “narrative-driven adventure,” which continues Lara’s story. Along with featuring “all the elements that have made Tomb Raider one of the most revered franchises in gaming,” it sees players controlling a “confident and multidimensional” Lara Croft. The setting will reward exploration and “creative pathfinding” while having “mind-bending puzzles” and a large variety of enemies.
While it’s in early development, for now, Crystal Dynamics is aiming to make this its biggest, “most expansive” Tomb Raider yet. More details are coming at a “later date.”
Christoph Hartmann, VP of Amazon Games, said, “Tomb Raider is one of the most beloved IPs in entertainment history. Amazon Games is committed to bringing players games of the highest quality, from the best developers, across a 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.”
Scot Amos, head of studio at Crystal Dynamics, added, “Crystal Dynamics has an extraordinary opportunity following our acquisition by Embracer to redefine what a publishing relationship is for Tomb Raider. 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.
“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!”
The announcement also provided updated sales numbers on the franchise (which was last reported to be over 88 million units sold as of May 2022). It’s now over 95 million copies sold since its first entry in 1996. Stay tuned for more details on the next entry in the coming months.