Time is running out for Tomb Raider fans eagerly awaiting the official announcement of Lara Croft's new adventures. Unfortunately, today, we're not exactly hearing good news.
Indeed, Crystal Dynamics, the studio in charge of developing the next Tomb Raider (but also Perfect Dark) has just announced the layoff of 17 talented employees.
Tomb Raider: Fewer Talented Employees on the Project
The next Tomb Raider has been confirmed since 2022, with development under Unreal Engine 5. And since the end of 2023, the title has been due to be presented to give fans a first glimpse. Unfortunately, we've now been waiting for more than a year and a half and still nothing on the horizon.
The title is now in the hands of Embracer Group and Amazon Games. Lately, projects have been multiplying with a Netflix series, numerous collaborations, including Call of Duty and Fortnite, and the arrival of two remaster compilations. However, regarding the new, unreleased game, still nothing.
At the end of August 2024, Christoph Hartmann, the boss of Amazon Games, confirmed that development of the next Tomb Raider was progressing at pace. A few days later, in September 2024, new job offers at Crystal Dynamics suggested that the communications and marketing period was in preparation. But since then, still nothing.
Today, we learned that the Crystal Dynamics studio has just laid off 17 talented employees due to budgetary restrictions. This isn't the first time Embracer Group has made layoffs. This time, it's 17 talented employees who need to be let go. A decision "necessary to better align with the current needs and future success of the studio.".
To avoid any misunderstanding, the studio confirms that this decision "does not reflect the dedication or skills of the people involved" and promises to support those affected to offer them "transition solutions and opportunities.".
To reassure fans, the studio confirms that this decision "does not change anything in current projects", namely the development of the next Tomb Raider and Perfect Dark.
Although the studio has lost "only" 30 employees in four years, it is never good to learn that "talented" collaborators have had to be sidelined due to budgetary restrictions. This could therefore suggest that the quality of the game will be impacted and that ambitions could also be revised downwards due to budgetary restrictions.
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