Amazon Games will be the publisher of the next Tomb Raider game. The group is gaining such a big name for its gaming venture, for which there has been little apart from expenses so far. The game is developed by Crystal Dynamics.
There was no information about the project itself in the announcement of the new collaboration. The development was announced in April when Unreal Engine 5 was presented. It was said there that work had just begun, which is now being emphasized again: the companies are talking about an “early development phase”. It may be several years before it is completed.
Ambitious plans
What Tomb Raider should be is already certain. A single-player, story-focused title is planned that will continue the story of heroine Lara Croft. Central elements should remain the exploration of locations, navigating through the environments, puzzles and fights. The Unreal Engine 5 makes it possible to “take the storytelling to the next level”, according to the developers, who in the same breath promise the largest and most extensive Tomb Raider to date.
Amazon wins draft horse
The plans now announced are a big step for Amazon Games. Despite the investment of money and time, the breakthrough in the gaming sector has not materialized. Only the MMO New World has been recorded so far, while the persistently developed multiplayer shooter Crucible had to be discontinued after a few months – and is not even mentioned in the press release.
Unlike its competitors, Amazon is showing staying power: a fourth studio was founded just last year. In addition to the development of their own games, the role as a publisher now occurs. In this role, Amazon Games is already publishing the MMO Lost Ark. With Tomb Raider, a single-player title and at the same time a big name in the gaming sector can now be landed for the first time.
The agreement also has advantages for Embracer, who, among other things, took over the rights to the Square Enix series. Embracer is owned by publishers THQ Nordic and Koch Media (Deep Silver) and is expanding rapidly. “Sequels” have already been promised for Tomb Raider. The publishing deal will be a good opportunity to keep the costs of growth low.