14 DAY TRIAL // The team at publisher Square Enix in charge of Rise of the Tomb Raider is announcing that it is planning to launch the Windows 10 version of the title at some point during early 2016 and on the PlayStation 4 from Sony during the holiday season of next year.
The official announcement states, "The game will be a console exclusive to Xbox One and Xbox 360 for one year after its initial launch, coming to PlayStation 4 (PS4) in Holiday 2016. Renowned developer Crystal Dynamics, a Square Enix studio, is leading development in the latest entry in the iconic series for additional platforms."
It's unclear why the companies involved are insisting on selling the idea that the game is an exclusive for Microsoft devices, be it a timed one, for one year, considering that gamers will be able to get it on the PC as well in early 2016, which might be the best platform to play it on.
When Rise of the Tomb Raider was announced as coming first on the Xbox One and the 360, a lot of fans of the series were annoyed by the decision and the current reveal will probably fail to generate too many positive feelings among the community.
Microsoft is betting big on Lara Croft
Square Enix and the platform holder have not talked about the terms of the timed exclusivity deal, but there are rumors that a significant sum of money exchanged hands.
Microsoft is at the moment seeking to boost sales of the Xbox One by delivering a solid lineup of exclusive titles for the coming holiday season, including Rise of the Tomb Raider, Forza Motorsport 6, and Halo 5: Guardians.
The new Lara Croft adventure will take the loved character to Siberia, where she is seeking to find a remote area where the secret to immortality is rumored to be hidden.
A powerful and mysterious organization named Trinity is seeking to stop her, and the game will focus on enhanced survival moments and complex exploration.
The development team at Crystal Dynamics has promised more tomb raiding sequences and focus on the emotions of Lara Croft and her growth as a character.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is arriving on the Xbox One and the 360 on November 10.