In a brief tweet sent out on Tuesday, Crystal Dynamics addressed the recent news that Embracer would be restructuring, closing down studios, and canceling projects. The studio said that “there will be no impact” to its “continuing efforts” on things like Perfect Dark or the next entry in their Tomb Raider series.

“Thanks to everyone for reaching out and asking about the most recent news by our parent company Embracer Group regarding the restructuring plans,” reads their statement. “We want to reassure fans that there will be no impact to our continuing efforts with our partners at The Initiative on Perfect Dark, or our next Tomb Raider title being developed in collaboration with Amazon Games.”

Crystal Dynamics most recently released 2018’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the third and final entry in their Survivor trilogy of games that acted as a reboot of the iconic series. In 2022, Square Enix and Embracer Group entered into an agreement for Embracer to acquire the company from Square Enix Europe.

What kind of cuts did Embracer make?

Embracer announced on Tuesday that it would be going through a pretty significant restructuring. In an open letter to the company’s staff on Tuesday, CEO Lars Wingefors said that Embracer will be looking to decrease spending everywhere, and will reduce third-party publishing, and “put greater focus on internal IP and increase external funding of large-budget games.”

The restructuring also includes closing down some studios, canceling various projects, and laying off an unspecified number of staff at the company. Currently, no information on what studios or projects will be canceled is available. Embracer currently owns a litany of high-profile studios, including THQ Nordic, Saber Interactive, Gearbox, Middle-earth Enterprises, Dark Horse Media, Eidos-Montreal, Deep Silver, and more.

Embracer’s massive restructuring comes following the loss of a $2 billion partnership that occurred last month, which saw the company’s stock price plummet.

The post Crystal Dynamics Provide Tomb Raider Update Following Embracer Group Cuts appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Tomb Raider games should explore “paths not so well travelled”

In an interview with Eurogamer, Pratchett said that while she doesn’t know what Crystal Dynamics is up to, she believes that the series will and should have more diversity and representation going forward, exploring “paths not so well travelled.”

“A good writer wants to take on subjects and sexuality and diversity in all its forms,” Pratchett said before clarifying that she’s not just talking about sexual orientation. She thinks representation in background, ability, and age is equally important.

“I hope Crystal, or whoever works on the franchise, are going to be more diverse with representation in the future,” Pratchett added. “I think the franchise can stand to have a bit of that. And I think it will go in that direction.”

Pratchett teased that fans will “see some interesting stuff” in the Tomb Raider franchise going forward. While she isn’t in on any secrets, she did reveal that there are “many different arms of Tomb Raider” in the works.

The post Tomb Raider 2013 Writer Hopes to See More Diversity in the Franchise appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Amazon intends to create a “Marvel-like franchise” out of Tomb Raider

Amazon apparently wants to turn Tomb Raider into a connected world that includes a new feature film, the TV series from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and at least one game. Marvel has already managed to accomplish this, and Amazon is looking toward that franchise for its inspiration according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The rights to Tomb Raider were sold to Amazon for a reported $600 million “overall package”, claims Fellowship of Fans. While the meaning of “overall package” is unclear, it is unlikely to just include the rights to the IP. Multiple reports state these were sold for a lower figure than the $250 million Amazon spent on the Lord of the Rings franchise. Instead, the package is believed to include commitments to future media too and they have already vowed to publish Crystal Dynamics’ upcoming game. Amazon is yet to comment on the reports.

The post Tomb Raider Reportedly Sold to Amazon for $600 Million appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

The TV series may tie-in to the new Tomb Raider game

Whether the TV series will draw inspiration from any of the current Tomb Raider video games is unknown, although a brand new game is in development and will be published by Amazon rather than Embracer Group. The game will reportedly be revealed later this year after the majority of developer Crystal Dynamics staff were moved away from Marvel’s Avengers and it remains to be seen whether it will tie-in to the new TV series in any way.

The actress who may step into the role of Lara Croft is currently unknown. According to sources who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, Waller-Bridge will not be taking an acting role on the series in any form despite her previous experience, although she will assume the role of Executive Producer too. Ryan Andolina and Amanda Greenblatt, who recently left roles at Amazon to form their own production company, will also be Executive Producers alongside Dmitri Johnson.

The post Tomb Raider TV Series Reportedly Heading to Amazon appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

What we know about the new Tomb Raider so far

Writing for Exputer, Ross revealed that as Crystal Dynamics prepares to sunset Marvel’s Avengers for good, much of the game’s development team is moving on to Tomb Raider. The game has reportedly entered full-scale development, and there is “pressure” to reveal the project sometime later this year.

With Square Enix offloading Crystal Dynamics, the new Tomb Raider game was expected to be published by Embracer Group but that’s not the case. According to a press release by Amazon Games, it has acquired publishing rights to the untitled “single-player, narrative-driven adventure that continues Lara Croft’s story.”

Amazon also confirmed that the next Tomb Raider will be a multiplatform game, so there probably won’t be another case similar to Rise of the Tomb Raider, which was an Xbox-exclusive for a year. Apparently, that exclusivity deal hurt the game’s sales.

Tomb Raider is being developed with Unreal Engine 5.

We’ll update our readers when we have more information.

The post New Tomb Raider Development in Full Swing, Reveal Coming This Year – Report appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

New Tomb Raider game will use Unreal Engine 5

The untitled Tomb Raider game will continue the traditional gameplay for the series as a “single-player, narrative-driven adventure,” according to a press release. Using the Unreal Engine 5 engine, it looks to be a back-to-basics game with Croft needing to solve puzzles while overcoming enemies in ancient ruins. This should be a welcome change of pace for Crystal Dynamics, which was assigned to develop the multiplayer-focused Marvel’s Avengers when it was owned by Square Enix.

Given that the developer is now owned by Embracer Group, who has multiple publishing arms like THQ Nordic, Amazon Games is a surprise publisher for the new Tomb Raider game. Embracer Group, who previously indicated that they were interested in Tomb Raider remasters, is probably getting something from this deal, though we’re unsure what that is (apart from maybe that Amazon cash).

This Tomb Raider sequel is likely Project Jawbreaker, as revealed in a voice script leaked in July 2022. The story reportedly follows Croft as she “struggles with loneliness” and faces “a mysterious cataclysm she cannot face alone.”

The post New Tomb Raider Game Will Be Published by Amazon Games, Not Embracer appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Crystal Dynamics is now responsible for Tomb Raider games’ data

Crystal Dynamics’ announcement reads more like a legal notice than anything else. The studio specifically mentioned that it is now responsible for all gameplay and personal data associated with Legacy of Kain and Tomb Raider games, indicating that it was tasked to make this known since Square Enix has relinquished control. The full notice reads:

We are excited to inform you that Crystal Dynamics has taken control of several game franchises—including TOMB RAIDER and Legacy of Kain—from the games’ previous owner, Square Enix Limited. As a result of this change, Crystal Dynamics (or its affiliate) is now the owner of these games and the controller of the gameplay and personal data related to them. If you’d like to know more, please refer to our new Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. 

We look forward to taking this new and exciting journey with you!

Interestingly, up until last month, Square Enix was still filing DMCAs against new Tomb Raider game leaks. We’re assuming that Crystal Dynamics’ ownership is effective September 2022 as the aforementioned press release went live just a couple of days ago.

In other news, a former Sony manager has revealed why PS5 didn’t launch with a folders feature, and CD Projekt RED has confirmed that the next Witcher game will be the start of a multi-game series.

The post Crystal Dynamics Now Owns Tomb Raider and Legacy of Kain Franchises appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

A DMCA for the Project Jawbreaker script

The Project Jawbreaker script was originally leaked on a Sacred Symbols podcast from Last Stand Media. In a new video, as spotted by VGC, podcast host Colin Moriarty explains how Patreon received a DMCA from publisher Square Enix and developer Crystal Dynamics asking them to tell Last Stand Media to remove the offending podcast episode. Square Enix is still involved in the dispute despite the proposed sale of Crystal Dynamics to Embracer Group because that sale is still to be finalized and they technically still own both Crystal Dynamics and the Tomb Raider IP.

The existence of the DMCA from the two companies seems to suggest the script had information within that was not meant for public consumption and that there may be some element of truth that Project Jawbreaker is potentially the new Tomb Raider game that was announced back in April. The script describes the new game as “an action-adventure game set in a modern-day world rocked by a mysterious cataclysm.” While the team hasn’t completely removed the episode from Patreon, they have now put up a newly edited version that does not feature the Project Jawbreaker script reading. Those who want to listen to the original version can still find it on Apple Podcasts and Youtube.

In other news, EA has confirmed that single-player games are still “really, really important” in their future plans. Elsewhere, Dead Island 2 may be getting a re-reveal at The Game Awards.

The post Square Enix DMCA Seems to Suggest Tomb Raider Project Jawbreaker is Real appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

What we know so far about the new Tomb Raider game

As reported by Colin Moriarty, otherwise known as @notaxation on Twitter, an insider leaked to him a script that actors have been using to try out for the role of Croft. Sharing the news on his Sacred Symbols podcast, he notes (via a string of tweets from @MelonieMac and @SmashLara) that Crystal Dynamics is allegedly casting for an “authentic British VA.” The developer seems to be looking for someone who can do motion capture work as well, considering that the studio also wants the voice actor to be around thirty years old, 5’6″, and athletic.

Project Jawbreaker will allegedly continue the realism that the modern Tomb Raider series is known for, but will also have “fantasy elements.” As for the story, Croft “struggles with loneliness” despite her being a strong, independent adventurer, and decides to work with other raiders who look up to her. Due to media and tabloids reporting on Lara’s adventurers throughout the world, she has inspired other people to do what she does, despite how dangerous it is. That said, she may be working with others for more practical reasons, as there’s “a mysterious cataclysm she cannot face alone.”

Overall, the story will have Croft’s “familial issues” from prior games be left behind. This falls in line with what Rhianna Pratchett, one of the lead writers for the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot, hoped to see as she wanted her to have fewer “father issues.” In early April, Crystal Dynamics revealed that the new Tomb Raider game would be built on Unreal Engine 5.

In other news, PS5 shipments have reached 21.7 million units, and former developers for CD Projekt Red are forming a new studio to create a new IP set in feudal Japan.

The post New Tomb Raider Game Details Reportedly Leaked appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Square Enix Embracer deal gives fans hope

Fans of Square Enix’s beloved franchises have long complained that the company has locked up some precious IPs and forgotten the key. Deus Ex and Legacy of Kain are two prime examples of series that people have been hoping to see a revival of. While we’re not sure of the fate of Sleeping Dogs, that’s another one people are hoping to see again.

The good news is, Embracer is open to the idea and sees a lot of potential in its recently-acquired properties. In its recent financial report, the company wrote:

After the end of the quarter, we further strengthened our development capabilities and IP-portfolio by entering into an agreement to acquire Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal and Square Enix Montreal, including Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Thief and Legacy of Kain and other IPs. The announcement got an overwhelming and positive response. We see a great potential, not only in sequels, but also in remakes, remasters, spinoffs as well as transmedia projects across the Group. We expect the transaction to close in the July-September period.

It’s unlikely that any of these projects will be greenlit until well after the acquisition is complete so it’s best to temper expectations a bit. But it’s still nice to know that these beloved franchises won’t be rotting away forever.

In other news, The Callisto Protocol publisher has reiterated that the “AAAA” game will release in 2022. That’s around the time we now expect The Witcher 3’s PS5 upgrade.

The post Recently-Acquired Crystal Dynamics and Eidos IPs May Get Remasters/Remakes appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.