If you are a PS4/PS3 owner and loved the 2013 reboot of Tomb Raider, you’re not going to like this news. Multiple sources confirm that the next installment in the remade franchise will be exclusive to the Xbox.
Announced at Microsoft’s Gamescom press conference with a tentative release date of Holiday 2015, Darrell Gallagher, Head of Studios for Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics, explained the move on Tumblr:
“As you may have seen, we’ve just announced that Rise of the Tomb Raider, coming Holiday 2015, is exclusively on Xbox. We consider all of you to be the lifeblood of Tomb Raider and the work we do at Crystal. I’d like to give you some insight into this decision, and why we feel this is the very best thing for the Tomb Raider sequel we’re creating at the studio.
Tomb Raider in 2013 was a success due in large part to your continued support. Our goal has always been to deliver something truly special with Rise of the Tomb Raider. Today’s announcement with Microsoft is one step to help us put Tomb Raider on top of action adventure gaming. Our friends at Microsoft have always seen huge potential in Tomb Raider and have believed in our vision since our first unveil with them on their stage at E3 2011.
We know they will get behind this game more than any support we have had from them in the past – we believe this will be a step to really forging the Tomb Raider brand as one of the biggest in gaming, with the help, belief and backing of a major partner like Microsoft.This doesn’t mean that we’re walking away from our fans who only play on PlayStation or on PC. Those are great systems, with great partners, and amazing communities. We have Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris coming to those platforms this December, and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is available on PS4.â€
From a purely business perspective, the move makes sense since you will be backed up by a major player in Microsoft. On the flip side, Sony’s PS4 is currently outselling Microsoft’s XBox One in the market, you’d think Crystal Dynamics will team up with the biggest player and not the other way around. If I may enter the realm of speculation, I’d say Microsoft gave them A TON of money for this. Bravo.
Before the 2013 reboot, the Tomb Raider franchise has been plagued with mediocre games. While it sold below Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix’s expectations, the reboot gave life back to the series that has seen better days. Only time will tell if Crystal Dynamics made the right choice by alienating theyr PS3/PS4 and PC fans both by shutting them out of this highly anticipated sequel and by telling us to settle with just another mediocre Tomb Raider game. No thak you, Crystal Dynamics, I’d rather keep my money.
Bad news for Sony system users like me, congrats to Microsoft for this big coup, and good luck Crystal Dynamics.
Sources:
The Guardian
The Next Web
Joystiq
6 Comments
exclusive to xbox, wew
F**k You Xbox
Lara is hot though.
This peasantry just set back the PC version 2 years. 🙁
RIP Crystal Dynamics …………
cant believe the official announcement stating that the whole community(gaming) was the reason they are making ROTR….. then why sell out to microsoft?
Money talks XD