14 DAY TRIAL // A new Tomb Raider game has been rumored to be in development for some time now, and the one behind it could be none other than Crystal Dynamics, since the company is the one that has been entrusted with the series. After the original developer, Core Design, failed to release new Tomb Raider games worthy of the franchise's reputation, the developing rights were moved to Crystal Dynamics. In 2006, the developer released Tomb Raider: Legend, the biggest commercial success of the series, and sold more than 2.6 million units worldwide. The company went on and released Tomb Raider: Anniversary in 2007, a remake of the original Tomb Raider, and, in 2008, Tomb Raider: Underworld. The first signs of a new Tomb Raider emerged in July, when leaked Nielson survey documents and images confirmed a new installment in the franchise. According to the documents, the new game will have Lara Croft stranded on a mysterious island, it will feature an open-world gameplay and it will focus on "visceral one-on-one melee combat" and "creative survival" on the island. But, now, even more details regarding the game have emerged.
According to a job listing posted by Crystal Dynamics, its next game will feature multiplayer. Joystiq reports the finding, which reads that, "Crystal Dynamics is looking for a talented, innovative senior designer to lead on future AAA title development for Xbox 360 and PS3. This position requires the ability to create a distinct multiplayer experience." With no game actually confirmed, and a new Tomb Raider addition to the series as rumored, it looks like the only well-educated guess would be that, in to time at all, we'll be fighting not over, but against someone else's Lara.
Tomb Raider is not the only game that felt the need to expand to multiplayer this year. The upcoming Dead Space 2 is also rumored to feature player-vs-player action, and, if anything, the Tomb Raider multiplayer designer would actually have an easier job than the one responsible for the DS2 one. While the actual gameplay for the new TR has yet to receive any details, basic shooting or melee combat would not be that hard to implement into online matches, compared with a horror-PvP.