If Crystal D can get it back on track to the Tomb Raider Legend and Tomb Raider Anniversary level, then I'm willing to give the next TR game a go.
Crystal Dynamics staffing up for 'AAA franchise'
By
Tom Magrino
Following two rounds of headcount cuts, Tomb Raider: Underworld dev posts job req for Senior Art Director to work on "one of the most prestigious" series.
As of Eidos' last public accounting in February, the Crystal Dynamics-developed Tomb Raider: Underworld had sold 1.5 million units worldwide. And while that tally is respectable, Eidos expressed open disappointment at the sales, trimming some $30 million from its full fiscal-year revenue projections in the process.
Crystal Dynamics has subsequently seen two rounds of layoffs since the game launched in November. The first came in January, with a reported 30 staff members served their walking papers, and then again earlier this month when about 25 more were reportedly let go. In confirming the layoffs, Eidos said, "We have increased the focus on the Tomb Raider franchise at Crystal Dynamics; regrettably, this has resulted in the reduction in headcount."
Though Crystal Dynamics may be operating with a leaner crew, the Eidos subsidiary remains at work. Crystal Dynamics recently put out the call for a Senior Art Director to work "on one of the most prestigious AAA franchises in the industry." Though no specific project was indicated, the AAA franchise is presumably Tomb Raider, which Crystal Dynamics assumed control of with the successful 2006 series reboot, Tomb Raider: Legend.
As a result of Underworld's seemingly tepid reception, Eidos has indicated that it may revisit the game's action adventure formula once more. In January, Eidos chief financial officer Robert Brent told the Financial Times, "We need to look at everything, as we develop the next game. Look at how Batman changed successfully, from the rather sad character of the Michael Keaton era to the noir style of The Dark Knight."
Following Square Enix's acquisition of Eidos in April, the Japanese publisher commented that the Tomb Raider franchise has sold more than 30 million units since 1996.
By
Tom Magrino
Tom Magrino has covered the games industry since 2006. He's been compared to Steve Martin by Ozzy Osbourne and Daniel Craig by Tim Schafer. His voice, heard largely on GameSpot's podcast, recalls that of Kermit the Frog. It ain't easy bein' Magreen.
69 comments
well i think its fair to say that tomb raider is not aaa and has not been for quite some time now....BUT!!!! maybe they are bringing back LEGACY OF KAIN!! now imo them games had the most amazing story ever. it was the only game i have ever played in my life that i kept on playing to find out more of the story. bed time was always getting delayed til "the next checkpoint" if they bring that back it will be pretty serious. i wanna do some serious soul eating! a remake of the first legacy of kain would be cool them graphics are very outdated
@TTDog - not just a AAA title ... "one of the most prestigious AAA franchises in the industry" - prestigious and Tomb Raider can't be in the same sentence. Huge yabos help brand recognition not prestige. "one of the AAA franchises with huge yabos in the industry"... there now it's tomb raider.
Eventhough I never had interest in playing a Tombraider game,,I wish them success and continue ..
I give you my hand this is for the side project with lara's doppleganger. I'm a bit afraid on this one. I would prefer a lara TR game
Tomb Raider is still my most favorite jumping/climbing/swimming/exploring/shooting videogame. Sure it needs to be spiced up (and fix the camera, for God's sake!!!). I also want the great puzzles back. But the formula is still great. I need more of them!!
Meaby its..... new LOK?!?! Seriously, we have ENOUGHT of tomb riders, underworld was realy meh. I want to know how the story ends, damnit!!
As big as a fan I am of Tomb Raider I agree that it needs a break. What SqEidos needs is new "good" IP's AAA or not.
@Sircroft, I agree. I wish they would bring out another Legacy of Kain also. I did like the last Tomb Raider game, but if they want to give the gamers what they want, then release another Soul Reaver. Instant $$$.
Sorry to rain on your parade, but it's definitely another Tomb Raider game. I seriously wish Crystal Dynamics would take their hands off Tomb Raider and go back to Legacy of Kain, but that's no what Eidos want them to do.
wonder how this became the topic of legacy of kain and they are talking about tomb raider here. Alright i did mention legacy of kain earlier but you all didnt have to continue the topic, however i would like to see legacy of kain again :-)
I agree with practically everyone on here - Legacy of Kain needs a series reboot like Soul Reaver did for the end of the Playstation One era. And everyone saying Gex? Lol. Seriously, it was a decent game for its time, but far from "AAA".
LEGACY OF KAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
everyone wants legacy of kain right? then why do these guys keep talkin about tomb raider.. sigh
i didn't like his analogy with batman, the tim burton era was nice like the last revelation and last tomb raiders are crap like batman with george clooney
I have to agree with many of you, we NEED a new Legacy of Kain. If you don't think it will sell, then test the waters with a remade HD Blood Omen on PSN or XBLA or something...whatever the case, we need an end to this amazing tale!
LanceVance87: "... Pandemonium 3! (lol)" HOLY CRAP, i would cream my pants, i played the **** out of those games when i was a kid, and ive even played them more recently when on a few illicit substances. GREAT GAMES
Tomb Raider has always been a lackluster boring franchise, but a Kain game id probably play.
Playing Underworld right now. I don't like it one bit :(. I don't want AAA games. Just give me FUN games.
come on Tomb Raider: Search For Her Clothes! on a side note, another Soul Reaver would be epic.. or Gex, either one.
i didn't like underworld that much because they got rid of the level replay feature and lara house (one that isn't in flames). it was also too much about jumping and not enough action
tomb raider has had a constant fall in sales, which is disapointing because its a great game.
Eidos will burn in hell. They need to look themselves in the mirror and stop blaming their staff. I can't wait when they go down under, I lost my job bicause of these fools. Yet I came to work gave 100% ... burn baby burn!
a new legacy of kain or gex game would be sweet. that gecko was awesome in the first one never played the sequels though :P
lol one year is awhile? Anyway this probably Tomb Raider, the last one wasnt too bad, but everyone called Uncharted a Tomb Raider clone, so maybe they should really look to Uncharted for some idea's.
the original batman films were awesome not as good as the dark knight but still good & Jack Nicklson is the 2nd best joker
Micheal Keaton is Batman & was not sad! Also maybe they should lay off Tomb Raider for a while & actually focus on some other games like uuhh Legacy Of Kain or Soul Reaver? why would they continue to be a dead horse,just do what Activison did when they took time to actually try to make the Tony Hawk games better by not releasing anything for a while
Underworld seemed to take a step backward after what I thought was a successful re-launch of the series with Legend and Anniversary. Underworld just seemed less polished and groundbreaking overall. Still a fun game, but hopefully CD can re-fire the franchise a bit its next time out.
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Tomb Raider: Underworld
- Publisher(s): Eidos Interactive
- Developer(s): Crystal Dynamics
- Genre: Action
- Release:
- PEGI: 16+
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