As a part of Crystal Dynamics’ ongoing effort to encourage under-represented communities to join the game development industry, the company today announced a charity drive in collaboration with Girls Make Games, celebrating 25 years of Tomb Raider and Lara Croft’s birthday.
Available exclusively from the Square Enix Store, gamers can purchase a complete set of 15 prints of reimagined Tomb Raider box art created by legendary artists from around the world for a limited time for only $49 (plus shipping and sales tax). All proceeds from the sale go to Girls Make Games, a program dedicated to inspiring the next generation of game designers, creators, and engineers.
Artists were chosen to ensure a diverse array of styles and were given full freedom to reimagine the series’ box art, resulting in Lara Croft portrayed in comic, anime, whimsical, realistic, and surrealistic styles.
“No matter the genre or medium, as a pop-culture icon of 25 years, Lara Croft is instantly recognizable throughout this incredible art series,” said Scot Amos, Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “Girls Make Games is an amazing program and we are proud to partner together on this charity fundraiser. Our hope is that it will translate into hundreds of girls getting the chance to attend Girls Make Games summer camps, workshops, and other outreach activities.”
Among the accomplished and supremely talented crew of artists were Marvel Studios’ Visual Development Supervisor Andy Park, legendary Japanese artist, character designer, and illustrator Yoshitaka Amano, Batgirl, Gotham City Sirens, and Overwatch graphic novel artist Babs Tarr, and Crystal Dynamics’ own Art Director Brenoch Adams, who kicked off the initiative with his take on the original Tomb Raider’s box art and followed up with an original version of Tomb Raider: Anniversary. All 14 artists crafted unique takes on the box art for each game through their own lens, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular.
SQUARE ENIX®, Crystal Dynamics®, and Eidos-Montréal™ celebrated the 25th anniversary of the TOMB RAIDER® franchise yesterday by making several announcements about new experiences and offers available now and coming soon for fans of the iconic videogame series.
Launched in October 1996, the Tomb Raider series of videogames has sold over 85 million copies worldwide across more than 20 titles and won dozens of industry awards. Its protagonist Lara Croft® is one of the most recognizable videogame characters in the world and has become an icon beloved by tens of millions of fans around the globe. The Tomb Raider franchise is also a pop-culture mega-hit, with three movies, several comic book series, a variety of successful merchandise, and soon a new animated television series.
Below are just a few of the upcoming 25th Anniversary initiatives Tomb Raider fans can expect in the coming months.
Tomb Raider Videogames
As part of the celebration of Tomb Raider’s 25th anniversary, many Tomb Raider games and add-ons on Steam, Humble Bundle, Green Man Gaming, GOG.com, the Square Enix Store, the Xbox Games Store, and PlayStation Store are on sale, with discounts of up to 89%. Interested gamers need only visit the online store of their choice and search for “Tomb Raider” to see what deals are available on their platform.
In addition, from November 1 through November 14, Crystal Dynamics and Prime Gaming are giving away Rise of the Tomb Raider on PC for free for all Prime members. To claim the free game, Prime members should go to https://gaming.amazon.com/, select “Games with Prime” and choose the Rise of the Tomb Raider offer between November 1 and November 14.
Also announced today is a collaboration between Crystal Dynamics and Feral Interactive to bring Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris to Nintendo Switch in 2022, the debut of the Tomb Raider franchise on the console. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris are arcade-inspired action-adventure games that combine the hallmarks of Tomb Raider, including exploration and discovery, platforming, and puzzle solving, with co-operative multiplayer, character progression and fun fast-paced combat. For further updates about these titles, follow Feral Interactive on Facebook or Twitter.
Square Enix London Mobile today revealed that the three original English-language Lara Croft voice actors will join Keeley Hawes in Tomb Raider Reloaded when the mobile game launches next year. For a limited time, players will be able to embrace their nostalgia by choosing which which Classic voice they’d like for iconic adventurer Lara Croft: Shelley Blond (Tomb Raider), Judith Gibbins (Tomb Raider II, Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft), Jonell Elliott (Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider: Chronicles, Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness), or Keeley Hawes (Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Tomb Raider: Underworld, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris). More information about Tomb Raider Reloaded can be found at https://www.square-enix-london-mobile.com/.
Tomb Raider Anime Series on Netflix
Netflix and Legendary Television are hard at work on a new Tomb Raider anime series with Powerhouse Animation, the studio behind such hits as Castlevania, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and Blood of Zeus. Last month it was announced that Hayley Atwell (Captain America, Mission: Impossible 7) will be the voice of iconic adventurer Lara Croft, and today the companies also announced that Allen Maldonado (Heels, The Wonder Years) has joined the cast as the voice of tech expert and colleague Zip, and Earl Baylon will reprise his role from the video game as the voice of one of Lara’s most-trusted friends and voice of reason, Jonah Maiava.
Picking up after the events of the highly successful Tomb Raider videogame Survivor trilogy as told in 2013’s Tomb Raider, 2015’s Rise of the Tomb Raider, and 2018’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the animated series will chart the globetrotting heroine’s next chapter as she takes on the role of the iconic tomb raider that she is destined to become. Twenty-five years after her first game appeared, Lara continues to explore new territory.
Tomb Raider in the Real World
In 2022 Tomb Raider fans will have two new ways to experience the game in the real world.
Crystal Dynamics is working with Little Lion Entertainment to create Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience in London. Little Lion is an award-winning attractions company with a pedigree in creating five-star immersive theatrical experiences. Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience will give fans the chance to dive into the world of Tomb Raider. For the first time ever, teams of visitors will work together while fully immersed in a genuine Tomb Raider adventure, forging their own destiny alongside recognizable characters from the blockbuster franchise. This groundbreaking immersive adventure drops visitors into a race against time as they help Lara Croft solve a mystery that will save the world.
Also making its debut in 2022 will be The World of Lara Croft – 25 Years of Tomb Raider, an exhibition curated by the Storyworld museum in Groningen, the Netherlands. Storyworld is a museum dedicated to the art of storytelling in comics, animation, and games, with a focus on the creativity involved in bringing stories to life.
The World of Lara Croft details the history of Tomb Raider games and media, the art and design of the iconic game franchise, and the popular appeal of both the game and its lead character. The exhibit includes content from the game’s origins in 1996 through the most recent Survivor trilogy, which began in 2013 with the rebooted Tomb Raider game. Visitors will learn about design details, developer insights, and elements of Tomb Raider in the real world, including samples of the franchise’s merchandise over the years and appearances of Lara Croft in movies and comics.
Crystal Dynamics believes strongly in giving back to the community and has several charity initiatives underway for the 25th anniversary celebration.
In honor of the many talented women, including writers, voice talent, actors, models, artists, and game developers, who have brought Lara Croft to life over the years, the company has donated $25,000 to the International Rescue Committee.
An additional donation of $20,000 was made in the name of Camilla Luddington to Women for Women International as a special thank-you for the passion and phenomenal performance she brought to Lara Croft in Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Her award-winning performances laid the groundwork for the future of the franchise.
In addition, on November 6 Crystal Dynamics will participate in a 24-hour charity drive for Extra Life which will raise funds for local San Francisco Bay Area UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. The company has set aside a $25,000 donation to celebrate 25 years of Tomb Raider and hopes to raise another $25,000. Starting today, over a dozen rare items from Tomb Raider history have been listed on the eBay for Charity platform to get a head start. Buying one of these items is a great way for fans to own a part of video game history while also donating to a great cause.
Finally, throughout 2021 Crystal Dynamics has been commissioning talented artists from around the world to reimagine Tomb Raider box art throughout time. At the end of the year, the company will host a charity initiative through the Square Enix Store to purchase a full set of 15 physical prints of the reimagined box art with all proceeds going to Girls Make Games. The current set of prints can be seen here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tombraiderofficialflickr/albums/72157718242566762.
25 Years of Tomb Raider and Counting!
These are just a few of the new initiatives that fans can look forward to in the coming months, and they come at the tail end of an entire year celebrating Lara Croft and Tomb Raider’s 25 years of adventures. Throughout 2021 Crystal Dynamics has been highlighting the franchise’s amazing history at https://tombraider.com/25.
More announcements about the future of Tomb Raider will be coming soon as Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix lay the groundwork for the next 25 years of this iconic franchise.
Square Enix® and Crystal Dynamics® today kicked off a year-long 25th anniversary celebration of TOMB RAIDER®, the iconic videogame series that debuted in October 1996.
Tomb Raider’s star, famous archeologist-adventurer Lara Croft, has become a powerful force in the gaming industry and beyond, and has made an indelible mark on virtually every facet of entertainment.
From being named an ambassador for scientific excellence to appearing live on tour with U2, Lara Croft has touched the lives of tens of millions of people around the world. With over 30 video game titles released and hundreds of awards, the heroine has been a cultural icon for 25 years on gaming screens and Hollywood silver screens alike, battling T-Rexes, unearthing ancient artifacts, and saving the world from an apocalypse or two.
Lara has had adventures in dozens of countries, explored the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Andaman Seas, ventured to Antarctica and the Arctic Circle, and rediscovered Atlantis and the lost island of Yamatai.
“Over the last 25 years Tomb Raider has become more than a game and Lara Croft has risen to become a cultural icon,” said Scot Amos, Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “We’re so proud to be a part of this rich tapestry of adventure, but we recognize the true credit belongs to the fans! The amazing Tomb Raider community has made all of this possible and we look forward to celebrating with them his historic milestone and for many decades to come.”
Tomb Raider’s year-long celebration of its 25th anniversary will feature in-depth explorations of the major games released in the franchise, including nostalgic media deep from the archives, developer interviews, community activities, live playthroughs, and more.
Over the coming months, developer Crystal Dynamics will re-visit the lineup of major Tomb Raider games, focusing on one game each month. Fans of Tomb Raider and Lara Croft can look forward to additional franchise announcements over the course of the year.
Tomb Raider games are currently available on all modern gaming platforms, from PC to console, Stadia, and mobile.
Square Enix® is proud to announce the all-new tabletop game, Tomb Raider® Legends: The Board Game. Scheduled for release in May 2019, players can purchase the board game for the SRP of $59.99 on the Square Enix Members eStore and at select retailers.
Play as the legendary archaeologist Lara Croft®, and embark on an adventure in search of a hidden artifact. The journey will have many dangers, but those who persevere will claim the ultimate prize. Explore mysterious ruins, use your wits to fight off threats, and hone your ever-growing arsenal and skills to claim victory.
With over a dozen possible areas to uncover and a wide variety of outcomes, every game will send you and your friends on a fun and unique journey into the unknown. Attendees at PAX East 2019 can head to the Square Enix booth for an early first look at Tomb Raider Legends: The Board Game.
Key details include:
Number of players: 3-4
Playtime: 40 min.
For Ages: 13+
Game Contents:
Instruction Manual
4 Lara Croft Miniatures
1 Main Board
4 Player Boards
28 Action Cards
41 Raid Cards
1 Starting Player Marker
8 Threat/Experience Markers
4 Injury Markers
Square Enix®, Eidos-Montréal™, and Crystal Dynamics® today revealed the full trailer for Shadow of the Tomb Raider™, the latest entry in the critically acclaimed and award-winning Tomb Raider® series.
Created by a team of veteran Tomb Raider developers at Eidos-Montréal, in collaboration with Crystal Dynamics, the game will be available on September 14, 2018 for the Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One X, PlayStation®4 system and Windows PC/Steam®.
In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Lara must master a deadly jungle, overcome terrifying tombs, and persevere through her darkest hour. As she races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, Lara will be forged into the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.
The star of the critically acclaimed 2013 Tomb Raider reboot and the award-winning Rise of the Tomb Raider®, Camilla Luddington, makes her return as Lara Croft® with yet another stunning performance in Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
“Thanks to their incredible expertise, knowledge of the franchise and outstanding creativity, Eidos-Montréal, in collaboration with Crystal Dynamics, is delivering a powerful experience with Shadow of the Tomb Raider,” said Yosuke Matsuda, president and representative director of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. “Shadow of the Tomb Raider will take the series to new heights and Lara Croft to new depths.”
“Shadow of the Tomb Raider will challenge Lara Croft in new and unexpected ways,” said David Anfossi, Head of Studio at Eidos-Montréal. “Our team has created a diverse set of skills, combat techniques and equipment for players to master, and they’ll certainly need them if they hope to survive the deadly jungle environments and tombs.”
Last night, Square Enix welcomed fans, community leaders, press, and industry influencers to events in Montreal, London, and Los Angeles so they could experience Lara Croft’s defining moment as she becomes the Tomb Raider. Now, a wealth of information, screenshots, and more is now available at TombRaider.com.
Fans in the New York City area will be able to enjoy a Special Preview of Shadow of the Tomb Raider at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, April 27. This free eventwill start at 4 p.m. EST, and will take place inside of the BMCC Theater at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Join the creative team as they discuss the evolution of Lara Croft and share in the techniques, tools and inspiration behind the series. Panel attendees will be able to witness an exclusive extended gameplay demo for the upcoming Shadow of the Tomb Raider game.
Pre-orders are available now for the Standard, Digital Deluxe, Croft, and Ultimate Editions. For full details on pre-order items, the Season Pass, key beats in the upcoming campaign, and more information on Shadow of the Tomb Raider, please visit the official website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Rise of the Tomb Raider won’t be available on either PS4 or PC, following Microsoft’s deal to sign the game exclusively for Xbox One.
Following a bad reaction from PlayStation and PC users on the Crystal Dynamics forums, head of studio Darrell Gallagher has explained what he presents as the motivation behind the news.
“We consider all of you to be the lifeblood of Tomb Raider and the work we do at Crystal,” he said. “I’d like to give you some insight into this decision, and why we feel this is the very best thing for the Tomb Raider sequel we’re creating at the studio.
“Tomb Raider in 2013 was a success due in large part to your continued support. Our goal has always been to deliver something truly special with Rise of the Tomb Raider. Today’s announcement with Microsoft is one step to help us put Tomb Raider on top of action adventure gaming.
“Our friends at Microsoft have always seen huge potential in Tomb Raider and have believed in our vision since our first unveil with them on their stage at E3 2011. We know they will get behind this game more than any support we have had from them in the past – we believe this will be a step to really forging the Tomb Raider brand as one of the biggest in gaming, with the help, belief and backing of a major partner like Microsoft.”
Gallagher goes on to say that the team is working to make this the biggest and most ambitious Tomb Raider to date.
It took a month into 2014 but FIFA has been knocked off the top spot by Tomb Raider definitive edition for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Now we will see how long it will keep it’s number one position.
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2014 UKIE Ltd
These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.
Following last weeks busy charts that was posted on Train2Game news, this week is a bit more quiet. The only new entry this week is Defiance, the game based on the up coming TV series which will be aired on SyFy later this month. The game enters the charts at number 3, unable to move Tomb Raider or the epic BioShock Infinite.
All formats
Week ending 6 April 2013
POS.
TITLE
PUBLISHER
LAST
WEEK
1
–
BIOSHOCK INFINITE
2K GAMES
1
2
–
TOMB RAIDER
SQUARE ENIX
2
3
DEFIANCE
TRION WORLDS
–
4
–
FIFA 13
EA SPORTS
4
5
–
LUIGI’S MANSION 2
NINTENDO
5
6
GEARS OF WAR: JUDGMENT
MICROSOFT
3
7
–
CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II
ACTIVISION
7
8
ASSASSIN’S CREED III
UBISOFT
9
9
SKYLANDERS GIANTS
SKYLANDERS
15
10
NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED
EA GAMES
17
11
CRYSIS 3
EA GAMES
10
12
FAR CRY 3
UBISOFT
11
13
LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
19
14
HALO 4
MICROSOFT
18
15
ARMY OF TWO: THE DEVIL’S CARTEL
EA GAMES
6
16
LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
–
17
TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 14
EA SPORTS
8
18
SIMCITY
EA GAMES
16
19
SNIPER: GHOST WARRIOR 2
CITY INTERACTIVE
13
20
SONIC & ALL STARS RACING TRANSFORMED
SEGA
–
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE Ltd
Train2Game brings you the top 20 games in the UK this week with Gears of War: Judgment debuts this week at number 1 pushing Tomb Raider down a place. The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct also debuted this week, coming in at number 3 and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate saw it’s first week in at number 7.
All formats
Week ending 23 March 2013
POS.
TITLE
PUBLISHER
LAST
WEEK
1
GEARS OF WAR: JUDGMENT
MICROSOFT
–
2
TOMB RAIDER
SQUARE ENIX
1
3
THE WALKING DEAD: SURVIVAL INSTINCT
ACTIVISION
–
4
FIFA 13
EA SPORTS
6
5
SNIPER: GHOST WARRIOR 2
CITY INTERACTIVE
4
6
GOD OF WAR: ASCENSION
SONY COMPUTER ENT.
2
7
MONSTER HUNTER 3 ULTIMATE
CAPCOM
–
8
SIMCITY
EA GAMES
5
9
FAR CRY 3
UBISOFT
7
10
CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II
ACTIVISION
9
11
METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE
KONAMI
19
12
CRYSIS 3
EA GAMES
8
13
ASSASSIN’S CREED III
UBISOFT
11
14
SKYLANDERS GIANTS
SKYLANDERS
13
15
NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED
EA GAMES
14
16
ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES
SEGA
–
17
THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM
BETHESDA SOFTWORKS
16
18
SONIC & ALL STARS RACING TRANSFORMED
SEGA
–
19
HITMAN ABSOLUTION
SQUARE ENIX
12
20
LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
17
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE Ltd
Train2Game brings you the Game Charts again this week with Tomb Raider still sitting at the top, God of War: Ascension was unable to knock the reboot of the top spot but came in at number 2. Number 3 is a new entry with a Starcraft 2 expansion pack and Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 is the final new entry at number 4.
At the other end of the Top 20, the new Naruto game has plummeted from number 3 to just clinging on at number 20 and after only a few weeks, Aliens: Colonial Marines has left the charts.
All formats
Week ending 16 March 2013
POS.
TITLE
PUBLISHER
LAST
WEEK
1
–
TOMB RAIDER
SQUARE ENIX
1
2
GOD OF WAR: ASCENSION
SONY COMPUTER ENT.
–
3
STARCRAFT II: HEART OF THE SWARM
BLIZZARD
–
4
SNIPER: GHOST WARRIOR 2
CITY INTERACTIVE
–
5
SIMCITY
EA GAMES
2
6
FIFA 13
EA SPORTS
5
7
FAR CRY 3
UBISOFT
8
8
CRYSIS 3
EA GAMES
6
9
CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II
ACTIVISION
7
10
THE SIMS 3: UNIVERSITY LIFE
EA GAMES
4
11
–
ASSASSIN’S CREED III
UBISOFT
11
12
HITMAN ABSOLUTION
SQUARE ENIX
14
13
–
SKYLANDERS GIANTS
SKYLANDERS
13
14
NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED
EA GAMES
12
15
DEAD SPACE 3
EA GAMES
19
16
THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM
BETHESDA SOFTWORKS
10
17
LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
16
18
–
GRAND THEFT AUTO IV
XBOX 360 CLASSICS
18
19
METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE
KONAMI
9
20
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM 3
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES
3
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE Ltd