Crystal Dynamics is actively developing the next installment in the Tomb Raider franchise. Although details about the release date of the action-adventure game remain under wraps, the head of Amazon Games has confirmed that progress is ongoing, even amidst recent challenges faced by the Embracer Group, which owns Crystal Dynamics. In 2022, Amazon Games secured the publishing rights for the forthcoming Tomb Raider game.
Development of the New Tomb Raider Title Continues
In a recent interview with IGN, Christoph Hartmann, vice president at Amazon Games, emphasized the significance of developing a new Tomb Raider title, describing it as a “huge, huge task” that carries substantial expectations. Nonetheless, he affirmed that development is advancing well.
“Creating a new Tomb Raider sets a very high standard. As time progresses, the expectations only increase, making it a significant undertaking. However, we are seeing some really great ideas coming together,” Hartmann remarked to IGN.
While specific details about the game and its development stages were not disclosed, Hartmann reassured that work on the project is making good headway.
Challenges at Embracer Group
Hartmann also addressed the recent financial struggles of Embracer Group, the Swedish business conglomerate and owner of Crystal Dynamics. Following an extensive acquisition strategy that included the purchase of multiple gaming studios and franchises, such as Crystal Dynamics from Square Enix in 2022, Embracer faced significant debt issues when a substantial $2 billion investment deal with Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group collapsed. This triggered a series of financial troubles including a plummet in share prices, mass layoffs, the closure of several studios, and the cancellation of various ongoing projects.
In March 2023, Embracer sold Gearbox Entertainment to Take-Two Interactive for $460 million, while also divesting Saber Interactive for $247 million. However, Embracer retained the rights to major franchises like Tomb Raider and The Lord of the Rings.
In April 2024, Embracer outlined its strategy to separate into three distinct companies: Asmodee Group, Coffee Stain & Friends, and Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends, each targeting specific intellectual properties. The entity focusing on Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends, which will remain part of Embracer, retains rights to major franchises, including Tomb Raider.
During the interview, Hartmann noted that the development team at Crystal Dynamics has remained “fairly sheltered” from the upheaval at Embracer, allowing them to continue their work on the next Tomb Raider title without significant disruptions. “While people may take note of the parent company’s situation, it hasn’t affected their resources or management structure, so they are in good standing,” he stated.
In 2022, Amazon Games entered into an agreement with Crystal Dynamics to jointly publish the upcoming multi-platform Tomb Raider game globally. The partnership also includes development assistance for this project, which remains untitled.
The next Tomb Raider title will continue Lara Croft’s journey as a single-player, narrative-driven adventure. Crystal Dynamics is utilizing Unreal Engine 5 in its development, aiming to create the “biggest, most expansive Tomb Raider game to date.”
