Amazon has signed the next Tomb Raider game from Crystal Dynamics

Amazon Games will publish the next Tomb Raider game, it’s announced.

The multiplatform title developed by Crystal Dynamics – which was recently sold to Embracer Group by former parent Square Enix – will be built alongside Amazon “from development all the way through publishing,” according to a press release.

The new entry will be a single-player, narrative-driven adventure that continues Lara Croft’s story from the previous games, the pair said.

“It includes all the elements that have made Tomb Raider one of the most revered franchises in gaming, giving players control of the confident and multidimensional hero Lara Croft in an environment that rewards exploration and creative pathfinding, with mind-bending puzzles to solve, and a wide variety of enemies to face and overcome.”

Christoph Hartmann, VP of Amazon Games, said in a statement: “Tomb Raider is one of the most beloved IPs in entertainment history. Amazon Games is committed to bringing players games of the highest quality, from the best developers, across all variety of platforms and genres, and we’re honored by the opportunity to work with this storied developer and franchise.

“Our team is incredibly excited about collaborating with the talented and visionary Crystal Dynamics team to bring the next chapter of Lara Croft’s saga to players around the world.”

Scot Amos, head of studio at Crystal Dynamics, added: “Crystal Dynamics has an extraordinary opportunity following our acquisition by Embracer to redefine what a publishing relationship is for Tomb Raider.

“Transformative is what we’re looking for, and with Amazon Games, we found a team that shares our creative vision, ambitions, and values for a Lara Croft universe across the spectrum of possibilities.

“They’re uniquely positioned to rewrite what publishing and development collaborations are, and we’re eager to forge this new path together, starting with building the biggest and best Tomb Raider game yet!”

Developer Crystal Dynamics announced that the next Tomb Raider game had entered development using Unreal Engine 5 earlier this year.

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Dallas Dickinson, Tomb Raider franchise general manager at Crystal Dynamics, said in April that Crystal Dynamics’ goal with the next game was “to push the envelope of fidelity and to deliver the high quality cinematic action-adventure experience that fans deserve”.

In a January video outlining its plans for the franchise’s 25th anniversary this year, Crystal Dynamics revealed that Lara Croft’s next adventure will “unify” the timelines in Core Design’s original Tomb Raider games and its own reboot trilogy, but warned fans not to expect it any time soon.

Crystal Dynamics and the Tomb Raider IP were obtained by Embracer Group in May.