Crystal Dynamics has been developing a new Tomb Raider game since early 2022 using Unreal Engine 5, but updates have been sparse. Amazon will publish the title, which features a more mature Lara Croft. Recent leaks suggest an open-world setting in India, though the project faces studio challenges.
Development Background
The upcoming Tomb Raider game was officially confirmed in early 2022, marking the first mainline entry since Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018. Crystal Dynamics is handling development with Unreal Engine 5, aiming to evolve the series beyond the Survivor trilogy's focus on an inexperienced Lara Croft. The project entered active production around 2021 or 2022, based on early script materials.
Key Leaks and Confirmations
A summer 2022 leak from the PlayStation Podcast Sacred Symbols revealed audition scripts portraying a more seasoned Lara Croft—stoic, successful, and forming partnerships inspired by her adventures. This suggested Camilla Luddington would not reprise her role, a detail corroborated when representatives forced the podcast to remove the audio. Later that year, Amazon was announced as the publisher, potentially tying into their live-action Tomb Raider TV series, though no direct connection has been confirmed.
In February 2024, official artwork unveiled a redesigned Lara Croft, aligning more closely with her traditional look rather than the trilogy's survivalist aesthetic. A May 2024 leak from insider V Scooper claimed the game is set in an open-world India, featuring vehicles like motorcycles for racing rivals to artifacts and optional non-lethal encounters—details to be taken with caution due to the source's credibility.
Current Status and Outlook
Despite recent layoffs at Crystal Dynamics—under 30 developers affected in the third round this year, linked to the Perfect Dark cancellation—the project remains in active development amid Amazon's gaming division changes. Speculation points to a 2026 release, possibly delayed to early 2027 to avoid competition from titles like GTA 6. A reveal could occur at The Game Awards in December 2024 or Summer Game Fest 2025, with five years of development seen as reasonable for an open-world entry.