Amazon Games has announced that it will be collaborating with Crystal Dynamics on another Tomb Raider title.
Originally announced in April 2022, this new Tomb Raider game is in development at Crystal Dynamics, the studio behind 2013’s Tomb Raider and its sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider. However, publishing rule has now gone from Square Enix to Amazon Games to The Embracer Group acquisition of the Tomb Raider franchise earlier this year.
“We are honored to work with this renowned developer and franchise,” said Christoph Hartmann, vice president of Amazon Games for joint press release (opens in a new tab). “Our team is incredibly excited to partner with the talented and visionary team at Crystal Dynamics to bring the next chapter of the Lara Croft saga to gamers around the world.”
Crystal Dynamics will use the power and cutting-edge technology of Unreal Engine 5 to enhance the title’s story elements to ensure that the launch will be “the biggest and most expansive Tomb Raider game ever,” according to a press release. It will also be Amazon Games’ first experience of a narrative-driven single-player adventure. Neither party has provided a release date or title for the new Tomb Raider game, saying only that information and further details will be shared “at a later date”.
The future of the grave
According to the press release, Amazon Games will provide its “full support” to Crystal Dynamics during the development process and will act as publisher once the game is released. Additionally, Crystal Dynamics confirmed that the game would continue to “reward exploration and creative pathfinding” while offering the classic “awesome puzzles” and various Croft enemies for which the franchise quickly became respected.
“Transformation is what we’re looking for, and through Amazon Games, we’ve found a team that shares our creative vision, ambitions and values for the Lara Croft universe across the spectrum,” Scott Amos, Head of Crystal Dynamics, stated.
While Crystal Dynamics’ reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise has been a success, both the developer and Amazon Games are keen to move away from another reboot and deliver a brand new chapter to the Lara Croft saga. Let’s hope it won’t be long before we see what this new chapter looks like.