Get ready for an exciting revelation at The Game Awards this week! The iconic Tomb Raider franchise is making a comeback, but will it be the game or the show?
The official Tomb Raider account and The Game Awards creator, Geoff Keighley, have both teased something big. Keighley's words, "tune in Thursday night for a glimpse into the future of gaming's most iconic franchises, Tomb Raider," have left fans buzzing with anticipation.
So, what can we expect? Well, there are a few intriguing possibilities. Firstly, and most likely, we might finally get a glimpse of the highly anticipated Tomb Raider game that's been in development at Crystal Dynamics for years. Announced back in 2022, this game has been shrouded in mystery, but with a redesigned Lara Croft revealed last year, fans are eager to see more.
But here's where it gets controversial... Crystal Dynamics has had a tumultuous few years. The studio was purchased and sold multiple times, first by Embracer Group and then by Middle-earth Enterprises, while Amazon retained publishing rights. Amazon, too, has had its fair share of troubles with its MMO projects and mass layoffs. With all these changes, it's no wonder Crystal Dynamics has been quiet. In fact, they've undergone multiple rounds of layoffs this year, including 30 individuals just last month. So, will we finally get some clarity on this game's development and release?
On the TV front, there's an upcoming live-action Tomb Raider series in the works at Amazon, in partnership with Story Kitchen. Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner will portray Lara Croft in this ambitious project, which aims to "reinvent the franchise on a massive scale." However, like the game, this series has been in development for quite some time with little updates. First announced in 2023, there were even reports this year that the show was "dead," due to Turner's busy schedule and changes in Amazon's leadership. But Amazon quickly re-confirmed the series, stating it would begin shooting in 2026.
With all this drama, it seems most likely we'll see the game revealed at The Game Awards, as the series hasn't started production yet. But with the vagueness of the teasers, who knows? Maybe we'll get a sneak peek at Turner's Lara Croft too! And this is the part most people miss... with all the uncertainty, it's possible we might get a surprise announcement for both the game and the show!
In the meantime, there's always the anime, although the first season didn't quite live up to expectations. But hey, we're always up for a good surprise!
The Game Awards will take place on Thursday, December 11, at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET. Stay tuned for more updates and don't forget to share your thoughts and predictions in the comments! Will it be the game, the show, or both? And what impact will these revelations have on the future of the Tomb Raider franchise? Let's discuss!
