Fans of Lara Croft’s globe-trotting adventures have reason to celebrate: a new Tomb Raider title appears to be in the later stages of development at Crystal Dynamics. A recent job listing for a Lead Experience Designer at the studio has sparked speculation that the long-awaited sequel is nearing its final stretch, with hiring efforts focusing on polishing “game mechanics, systems, and content” ahead of launch.
The listing, spotted on Crystal Dynamics’ careers page and reported by VideoGamer, emphasizes the need for a designer to “ensure the highest quality player experience” while collaborating with the “Strike Team”—a term industry insiders associate with groups dedicated to live-service elements or post-launch content. This suggests the next Tomb Raider could blend its signature single-player storytelling with ongoing multiplayer or cooperative features, though Crystal Dynamics has yet to confirm details.
Rumors of the game’s progress have been bubbling for months. Influential leaker NateTheHate2 hinted in April that an announcement was imminent, possibly tied to Summer Game Fest or Microsoft’s Xbox Showcase. Meanwhile, Twitter user thevscooper teased in May that the project would “redefine Lara’s legacy,” though specifics remain under wraps.
Adding fuel to the fire, a Reddit user claiming to be a CD production director shared a cryptic post last week, stating, “The pieces are falling into place. Lara’s next chapter is our boldest yet.” While the authenticity of the account isn’t verified, the timing aligns with reports of the game entering its final development phase.
This new title is believed to be part of a unified Tomb Raider timeline announced in 2022, which aims to bridge the reboot trilogy’s origin story with the classic games. Developed in collaboration with Amazon Games, the project is expected to leverage Unreal Engine 5 for cutting-edge visuals and immersive exploration.
Industry analysts speculate a 2025 release window, with platforms likely including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Whether Lara’s latest adventure will retain its single-player roots or embrace live-service elements remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the iconic archaeologist’s return is closer than ever.
Tomb Raider fans, keep your gear ready—Crystal Dynamics seems poised to drop a reveal soon.
Next TOMB RAIDER game will be fully open world and set in India
— V Scooper (@thevscooper) May 2, 2024
Featuring vast sceneries, free use of the motorcycle, parachute, and common Lara’s traversal methods to unrestrictedly navigate across a big map and its challenges pic.twitter.com/12zGTyiFql
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