Mon, May 14, 2012 | 19:06 BST
Tomb Raider reboot delayed into 2013, new screen
Having been previously announced for a fall 2012 release at E3 last summer, Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider reboot has been pushed back to next year.
Tomb Raider is now expected to release in the first quarter of 2013, a delay of about six months.
Crystal Dynamics studio head Darrell Gallagher announced the delay in a statement published on the official Tomb Raider blog, citing the reboot’s bold new direction as one contributing factor.
“We’re doing things that are completely new to Tomb Raider in this game and the additional development time will allow us to put the finishing touches into the game and polish it to a level that you deserve,” he said.
“Our priority now is to make sure we fully deliver the very highest quality game. In order to do this, we have decided to move the game’s release date by a few months.”
Gallagher noted that the development team had two goals; the first to “surprise and excite” gamers with a “modern” Tomb Raider game, and the second to “make this the best game of our careers, something we would be really proud to be a part of”.
“We truly believe that we have something very special on our hands and we can’t wait to share it with you.
“We believe this is the right choice and I guarantee it will be worth the wait. The game is looking amazing and we can’t wait to show it to everyone at E3 in a few weeks,” Gallagher added.
Tomb Raider has a lot to live up to when it makes its second E3 appearance in early June; the re-imagining of Lara Croft’s story won numerous game of the show awards after its 2011 reveal.
The second reboot for the venerable franchise had been expected on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in northern autumn.
Square Enix has asked fans to visit an official discussion thread for further updates, and released one new screenshot with a preview of the game’s E3 2012 showing:
23 
Posted in: Adventure, PS3, Square Enix, Xbox 360
Tags: Crystal Dynamics, Darrell Gallagher, tomb raider
23 comments
#1
Ali Hayas
14/05/12, 5:26 am
Wow… My brother who is a fan kept saying that it will move to 2013 yesterday. I kept telling him that whenever it gets released, it will end up having 7.5-8.5 scores.
#2
Maximum Payne
14/05/12, 5:42 am
Edo… I am looking for you
#3
back_up
14/05/12, 7:05 am
sad news
was looking forward to it
#4
Malmer
14/05/12, 7:24 am
Yet an other game gets “extended development time and polish” due to a crowded october/november. But that’s good. Means better game and a more constant stream of games instead of everything at once.
#5
voxelman
14/05/12, 7:34 am
Prey 2, Bioshock: infinite, Ni No Kuni, Dragon’s Crown, Metro: Last Light
what’s next on the 2013 train?
#6
Lacobus
14/05/12, 7:44 am
‘Northern Autumn’ is a great phrase.
#7
Edo
14/05/12, 7:59 am
@2 Yeah..I was really looking forward to it but it’s ok,October-November look really crowded so this is actually expected.
#8
Johnny Cullen
14/05/12, 8:27 am
Called it.
That said, it looks amazing from last E3, so if CD can make a better game in that time, I’m all for it. Wonder if the delay will have any bearing on the timing of the announcement of their new IP/Soul Reaver reboot.
#9
Wychodzew
14/05/12, 9:09 am
If we get a even better game it’s ok.
But please CD, don’t make it too linear and don’t rely on quick time events that much as we saw it in your last E3-Demo.
#10
StolenGlory
14/05/12, 9:20 am
@5
Well, i’m not sure what other passengers are going to be on that train, but GTA V is sure as hell the conductor.
On a side note, can we stop all this GTA V 2012 silliness now, the facts and precedents really aren’t in the favour of a 2012 release at all.
#11
The_Red
14/05/12, 10:02 am
Goddamit. First BioShock Infinite and then this. Tomb Raider reboot and BI were most promising of last years E3.
#12
absolutezero
14/05/12, 11:26 am
Alot of this just makes me feel that games are announced and dated far far too early in their lifespans.
Its not like the indie style Alpha thing thats come into fashion recently, theres nothing for people to go on to keep them interested other than tiny little bits of news.
On the other hand theres what Syndicate did which was announce itself at the end of last year and then come out within 3 months or there abouts. I liked that but im sure it had a negative effect on its sales (that and it being rubbish of course)
#13
Dark
14/05/12, 12:37 pm
i know it , the game it is just too good to be released in 2012
#14
ManuOtaku
14/05/12, 12:46 pm
Now 2012 doesnt see to crowded anymore, well most of the time this is for the better, the better of my wallet of course 8D
#15
HeavyD-Love
14/05/12, 1:47 pm
@5
Last Guardian
#16
Da Man
14/05/12, 2:00 pm
There was no Last Guardian announced for 2013.
#17
HeavyD-Love
14/05/12, 3:28 pm
^ It will be announced for 2013. His question was “what’s next on the 2013 train?”.
#18
Da Man
14/05/12, 3:37 pm
No it won’t be..
#19
HeavyD-Love
14/05/12, 4:26 pm
^I forgot……you are all knowing.
#20
Da Man
14/05/12, 4:27 pm
The irony..
#21
HeavyD-Love
14/05/12, 4:28 pm
2013 is a much wiser guesstimate than 2014 my good man.
#22
Da Man
14/05/12, 4:33 pm
Then again, cancelled is even better.
Early 2014? Late 2013? Late 2014? Taken to next gen like it happened with Ico? Taken to next gen but eventually canned?
Might as well include FF Versus 13.
What was it about again?
#23
HeavyD-Love
14/05/12, 4:39 pm
I hear ya now my good man. Damn it. Now i’m worried.
Tomb Raider should be stellar though.