New Tomb Raider for 2010 (Note; it's not "Tomb Raider"?)

[scoopy_loopy]

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs404.snc3/24485_342270976500_10285661500_4091931_3062144_n.jpg

Crystal Dynamics, a part of Square Enix Europe, today announced Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light, a new game developed by Crystal Dynamics, which will be released via digital download in 2010.

"This is a really exciting project for Crystal Dynamics, we have created something completely new and very different to what people might be expecting," said Darrell Gallagher, General Manager of Crystal Dynamics.

"Lara Croft is such an iconic character in videogames, with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light we have created what we believe is a truly original digital experience."

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be shown strictly "behind closed doors" at this year's Game Developers Conference beginning on March 9th.

Crystal Dynamics is an award-winning studio located in San Francisco. Founded in 1992, the studio has created and developed key game franchises such as: Legacy of Kain, Pandemonium, Gex and most recently the Tomb Raider series.

For more information visit www.laracroftandtheguardianoflight.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook - @Crystaldynamics - Facebook.com/LaraCroft.

Source, Tomb Raider Chronicles (http://www.tombraiderchronicles.com/guardian-of-light/press-release.html).

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Screencaps (http://www.tombraiderchronicles.com/guardian-of-light/game-screenshots-01.html)
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Later, Keir - (fan relations, i guess) from Eidos replied to me that Crystal was actually working on two projects - this one being one for the fans, and another that was "epic" and "taking forever" to make... although he didn't expressly state that the latter was Tomb Raider, it can be implied.

[Shoosh Malooka]

The front page of that site shows three companies:

Crystal Dynamics
Eidos
Square Enix

What?! Square Enix?

[scoopy_loopy]

Yeah, Square bought Crystal out.

[Randir]

But Square isn't working on this game? They're just the owner of Crystal now?

[scoopy_loopy]

Yeah, it happened really quickly! But the same people who worked on the previous Tomb Raiders (well, post the series being unceremoniously ripped away from Core Design) are working on it, it's not been given to Square designers.

[ElPresidente]

Actually Square-Enix bought Eidos who own the TR brand.

[Randir]

That's bad. Square could make a good Tomb Raider game. Anyway.. this new game looks like a game for the PSP. The grahpics aren't that good.

[scoopy_loopy]

Well it's digital download only, I suppose they can't really put that much detail into it without the download becoming massive.

To me the whole things sounds a little gimmicky. Something for the fans to spend some money on between now and the release of the next "real" game.


Also, I dont think Ive ever read someone say that Square should be making the game! The general fan consensus is that we're terrified of the game becoming "Oh, so Japanese". See; XD
:lol:

Im glad its staying with Crystal for that reason as well, also the fact that I don't think Lara could take another culture shock. She started off British, then she turned Hollywood with Crystal Dynamics (I mean, bleugh. The games lost so much of their charm without British input.) if she were to go Japanese, I think she would turn away most of her demographic.

[Randir]

I'm not talking about a Final Fantasy like Tomb Raider. There's no need to turn Lara into Japanese but Square gives their games a complex story with surprises, interesting characters and a good gameplay. They're really thinking about their games what they could improve instead of some little inventions just half done put into the game as Tomb Raider often before. Something that Tomb Raider never really had before but would be in real need of it.

[scoopy_loopy]

I wont deny that Square has some brilliant storylines. But they dont have a single game that doesnt have atleast a single scene that makes you cringe. Im saying this as HUGE fan of FFX ;)

[Randir]

So do you agree that Tomb Raider could need a bit Square to become a better game?
Tomb Raider has more scenes with cringe-effect ;)

[scoopy_loopy]

Really? What scenes in Tomb Raider made you cringe?

With Square you get things like the "whistle" scene in FFX. Yesh, that would just be embarasing to sit through if someone else was in the room.

[Randir]

Natla with wings and fireballs, Amanda with magic powers, fighting gods in egypt, 5 games with the same old engine, bad controls till Crystal Dynamics and super tough Lara Croft without any fears. It's a game that takes place in our world but there are lots of unrealistic things in there.

[ElPresidente]

Guys Square-Ennix is just the publisher not the developer.

In other words the game is not going to suddenly go 'Japanese'.

The game is still being made by Crystal Dynamics who are based in San Francisco and the only reason Square-Enix are the publisher is because they bought out the Eidos brand which is a British game publisher.

Such fears are unfounded. Panic not.

[Randir]

Not fears, hopes ^^

[scoopy_loopy]

I think you misunderstood my meaning of 'cringe-worthy' =p

[Randir]

Possibly. Didn't you meant inappropriate parts of a game? Things that make you roll your eyes?