14 DAY TRIAL // The biggest announcement made at the Gamescom 2014 Microsoft press conference is that the company is striking a deal with developer Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix, which will mean that the upcoming Rise of the Tomb Raider will be a Xbox One exclusive title when it launches in late 2015.
In an official update from Darrell Gallagher, the head of the development team working on the game, the studio explains that the decision was the best possible for the future of the franchise and is willing to offer long-term fans some explanations.
He states, “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.”
The backing of a big company like Microsoft will allow the coming Tomb Raider title to be one of the biggest brands incoming, according to Crystal Dynamics.
The developer also says that those who want to play on the PC and the PlayStation 4 will be able to enjoy the franchise by picking up the new Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris in December and Tomb Raider: The Definitive Edition on the PS4.
Gallagher adds, “We know that there are probably many more questions and concerns. Please do send them to us, and we’ll answer to the best of our ability. Meanwhile we’re going all out to try and make something truly special - the most ambitious Tomb Raider game ever built.”
A lot of fans of the series, which has been so far platform-agnostic, have been pretty angry in their reactions after the Xbox One exclusivity announcement was made.
The main reason for the decision is that Microsoft is ready to give Crystal Dynamics resources that can be used for game development that Sony was unwilling to match.
Rise of the Tomb Raider will once again feature Camilla Luddington as both the body and the voice of the main character of the series, and Rhianna Pratchett is once again handling the core story.
Until now, neither the developer nor the publisher has offered details about the core features of the new title or about the story that fans of Lara Croft will be able to experience only on the Xbox One.