Despite Amazon's layoffs in October, Tomb Raider The project between Amazon Games and Crystal Dynamics is still in active development, according to a company-wide memo from Amazon. But further details on the next Tomb Raider game remains elusive, the news is encouraging in light of Amazon's recent news.
On October 28, Amazon announced that it would lay off over 14,000 employees across the board as part of an effort to “reduce red tape” within the company. Amazon Games bore the brunt of Amazon's cuts, as its Irvine and San Diego studios would see significant staff reductions. Due to the staff cuts at the Irvine studio, Amazon Games MMORPG New World: Aeternum will no longer receive further content updates. However, Amazon Games promised to deliver New World: Aeternums servers available through 2026 and would give users six months notice before shutting down the game's servers.
Amazon is still moving forward with Tomb Raider
While Amazon Games is shifting its focus toward Amazon Luna and other projects, its ongoing work with Crystal Dynamics won't go to waste. According to a company-wide memo from Amazon CEO Steve Boom, Amazon continues to work with third-party partners on upcoming projects, including with Crystal Dynamics on the next Tomb Raider game. However, other details about the project were not disclosed. Boom also confirmed that Maverick Games and Amazon would continue work on an untitled open-world driving simulator and that Amazon Games' Montreal studio would end its development of March of the Giants. Otherwise, Amazon Games will shift its focus to making party games for Amazon Luna, with Studio 5's Courtroom Chaos: Starring Snoop Dogg is an example of what gamers can expect from Amazon moving forward.
As of this writing, the only known details about the next Tomb Raider the game includes the use of Unreal Engine 5 and that it will be a single player adventure game. Also, Lara Croft's appearance in the next Tomb Raider will combine her outfit from the Survivor trilogy with her original design, which features a light blue tank top, brown cargo shorts, a backpack, and two guns. This design for Lara Croft has been used for crossovers with other games, including Dead in daylight and Magic: The Gathering.
But the news about Tomb Raiders continued development came at a tumultuous time for Crystal Dynamics as well. In late August, Crystal Dynamics completed its second round of layoffs in 2025, following the cancellation of Perfectly dark in the wake of Microsoft's summer layoffs. Only time will tell how the changes from Amazon and Crystal Dynamics will shape the future of Tomb Raider franchise.
- Released
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February 14, 2025
- ESRB
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Teenager // Blood, violence
Source: Variety
