Amazon Games has signed an agreement with Crystal Dynamics to support the development and publishing of the next mainline Tomb Raider game to be made on Unreal Engine 5.
The companies announced the partnership today, December 15, saying they “have reached an agreement under which Crystal Dynamics will develop a new cross-platform Tomb Raider title, with Amazon Games providing full support and publishing the game globally.”
The game in question is the next generation Tomb Raider that announced in April 2022. crystal Dynamics, which was bought by Embracer Group in AugustHe noted that the acquisition has allowed for more unconventional publishing deals, such as the deal with Amazon.
“Crystal Dynamics has an extraordinary opportunity following our acquisition by Embracer to redefine what a publishing relationship is for Tomb Raider,” said Scot Amos, director of Crystal Dynamics.
“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 full spectrum of possibilities. They’re uniquely positioned to rewrite what The collaborations of Publishing and development are, and we look forward to forging this new path together, beginning with building the biggest and best Tomb Raider yet.”
A relatively vague description of the new game was also shared, though it essentially fits what players would expect from the next Crystal Dynamics game. “The new, as-yet-untitled Tomb Raider game is a single-player narrative adventure that continues the story of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider series.
“Includes all the elements that have made Tomb Raider one of gaming’s most revered franchises, giving players control of the confident, multidimensional heroine Lara Croft in an environment that rewards exploration and creative pathfinding, with mind-blowing puzzles to solve, and a wide variety of enemies to face and defeat.
“Crystal Dynamics builds on the power and cutting-edge technology of Unreal Engine 5 to take storytelling to the next level, in the biggest and most expansive Tomb Raider game to date. The title is currently in early development, and Additional details will be announced at a later date.”
Little else was said about the game and considering it’s still in early development, it’s likely to be a while before more is shared by Crystal Dynamics, Embracer, or Amazon Games.
In our 9/10 review of the previous gameIGN said, “Shadow of the Tomb Raider offers a powerful ending to Lara Croft’s origin trilogy.”
Ryan Dinsdale is a freelance journalist for IGN and acting news editor from the UK. He will talk about The Witcher all day.
