From a business standpoint it was a huge mistake. Sales are going to plummet from what they were. You don't take a game that was Multiplatform and make it exclusive to one console.

I'm not even a fan and I think this is stupid. Makes no sense at all and will only decrease sales.

It's an interesting idea. Tomb Raider's early association with the PlayStation can only be looked back on as a good thing. Obviously the factors are very different now - you don't have the perfect timing of developing and competing technologies, for one - but it's history that should be in the conversation with any snap judgments about exclusivity. Times have changed, but there's a proof of concept to be taken from the massive pop culture significance of the first two games on PSX -- especially TRII.

Something I really miss from that early tie is the confluence of properties that contributed to the overall PlayStation chic. I like the idea of seeing that creative pop sensibility make a comeback, particularly as superficial impressions of console hardware start to plateau, and genre saturation demands a new approach. The snag here is obviously that it's an Xbox exclusive. As a brand, the Xbox character has changed a lot since the first MS gen - and arguably appropriated some of the PS spirit along the way - but still doesn't strike me as a base for cool. That backwards thinking might just support the choice of console exclusivity, though.

The Tomb Raider reboot deliberately changed the icon of Lara Croft and the character of the series as a whole. It's probably never been more at home on the American console than now. I would have to think [the US is] where Lara Croft has lagged the most in terms of pop significance, and this move might just fund her continued return to relevance in the 2010s. I'm sure they're looking for fans every where, but picking up the right fans in the US franchise market strikes me as a logical goal. Another run at movies is a given.

Anyone interpreting the announcement as an ignorant decision to lop off revenue needs to think further. A console exclusivity deal comes with perks of one kind or another. A developer isn't going to sell themselves short while signing their soul over to a corporate giant like Microsoft. There are residual benefits beyond the game(s). Licensing agreements may generate some amount of compensation. They now have the Microsoft machine behind them. This is not a flicked switch to "bad business".

Sony ruled the school with exclusives. Then the world become cross-platform. It's interesting to see Microsoft generating some visible exclusive brands. Especially titles like Killer Instinct and Tomb Raider, which used to belong to the competition. My mind skips to Bayonetta, as well, which strikes me as a culturally suited Sony title that has gone Nintendo exclusive. I'm not sure I expect a radical change in business, but this just might be an interesting generation to watch develop. I don't think it's insignificant that this [Tomb Raider] announcement came in Europe.

I understand it from a business stand point. Hell, tomb raider was considered a "failure" by its publisher for a long while. Microsoft no doubt offered to shoulder some costs this time around, making the opportunity to turn a profit for square enix present itself a lot faster.

On the other hand, I'm a bit shocked.

- 'I Want To Win This Generation,' Says Xbox Boss Phil Spencer

Earlier today, Microsoft dropped a huge bomb at its Gamescom press briefing. The company has locked up exclusivity for Rise of the Tomb Raider, and we had the oportunity to ask Xbox boss Phil Spencer more about the deal, how things are changing at Xbox, anticipated features, and what it means to be behind the competition in sales.

Right now, Microsoft isn't confirming lifetime exclusivity (we used Titanfall as a comparison when inquiring), but lining up even the crucial holiday 2015 release window for a coveted third-party exclusive could be a big win. It all depends on how long the exclusivity window is, if it's limited. Regardless, this shows that Microsoft is working to sure up Xbox One exclusive content outside its own walls.

The language that Microsoft is using around the exclusivity right now is "exclusive to Xbox in holiday 2015." This hints at a window rather than permanent, but Square Enix will be the ones to share more details on that later (should there be any).

More in the article. Worth a look.

A lot of Sony fans are pissed over this. Like Mick mentioned though and what a lot of people have speculated is that this is probably a timed exclusive.

IMO though, I honestly don't think it will be. You need to look at it this way, regardless of how well the last Tomb raider game was received, Square-Enix, the publisher behind the game, was actually disappointed with the game's sale. Apparently 3 million+ unit sold wasn't good enough for them . I don't think they actually wanted to do another game bearing the full financial responsibility for it, so I think they probably shopped it around. Since MS basically needs a game to compete with Uncharted, they jumped at the chance to make an established franchise like Tomb raider exclusive.
I thought the last game was done really well, but then again I got it free through PS+. It wasn't a game that was really high on list of games to get.

Not sure how and why they think it wasn't enough sales, I mean the game managed to get over a million sales within two days of its release. That's a good thing, right? The game managed to win a number of awards, despite that it was only nominated for Game of the Year (because it was up against Grand Theft Auto 5). It got a good chunk of people liking the series again.

But if they honestly think having it just be released for Xbone, I don't see them breaking their sales record. I really don't, and it's not because I'm a pissed off Sony fan hoping Crystal Dynamics fails or whatever, no. I don't think they're going to get what they're expecting by doing this move.

You got a lot of attention by bringing Tomb Raider back to its old roots, that was what people were dying to see happen for a very long time. The game was not a critical failure, it was a huge success. Why they think they need to win more people over just by having it remain on one console and not multi, in my opinion, is not a smart move business-wise. I see their reasons, but I have to disagree with a lot of them. I just don't see the sense they're making by doing this.

We have to wait for more details about this news then we can make concrete judgements. So far I have seen only exclusive for holiday 2015 hinting a timed exclusive but Aaron Greenberg said that was not the case.

My first feeling is that this is a short term move clearly influenced by the fact the Tomb Raider reboot did not match Square Enix's expectations whether those expectations were realistic or not is moot. Crystal Dynamics can use the money to fund development of the game but will narrow sales. Long term this will be a bad decision but unless we have a number on the amount Microsoft paid Crystal Dynamics. I can not say for certain if this decision was the wrong decision.

Tomb Raider was born on Playstation, it's only fitting it goes to die on Xbox. In all seriousness though it does seem to be an odd choice on C.D and S.E part but they probably had a ton of money chucked at them.

I just wish Lara stopped pretending she is Katniss, threw that ugly bow away and picked up a pair of awesome handguns instead.

Big news The Rise of the Tomb Raider exclusivity deal has a duration.

This means that it is a timed exclusive. If I had to guess for about a year similar to Dead Rising 3 and Ryse. I hope that clears some things for you all.

- Microsoft confirms Rise of the Tomb Raider Xbox exclusivity deal "has a duration"

"I don't own them building Tomb Raider on other platforms. I can't talk about the franchise that way. I can talk about the deal I have."

So, what, exactly, is that deal?

"I have Tomb Raider shipping next holiday exclusively on Xbox. It is Xbox 360 and Xbox One. I'm not trying to fake anybody out in terms of where this thing is. What they do with the franchise in the long run is not mine. I don't control it. So all I can talk about is the deal I have. I don't know where else Tomb Raider goes."

Is there a time limit on the exclusivity period?

"Yes, the deal has a duration. I didn't buy it. I don't own the franchise."

Can you tell us how long the duration is?

"No. It's not because I'm trying to be a headfake on anybody. It's a deal between us and the partner. People ask me how much did we pay. There are certain things I'm just not going to talk about because it's a business deal between us and them. Obviously the deal does have a duration. I didn't buy the IP in perpetuity."

Angry gamers have directed many of their comments towards Square Enix, accusing the publisher of selling out and alienating their PlayStation and PC owning customers.

"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," wrote Darrell Gallagher on the Tomb Raider tumblr. "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."

I feel like there are two voices to read this in. The guy speaking loudly on the trade fair floor -- or the guy who is stuck between a rock and a hard place in terms of emphasizing and capitalizing on the exclusivity agreement, and not pissing fans of the franchise off. Unenviable position. It'll all work out in the end for fans. With any luck calm sets in.

Thankfully, after reading several new articles, this is only to be a limited exclusive.

Still think it's one stupid move but it's whatever. Not really a fan of this move and it might make a difference whether or not I feel like buying it. But that's just the pissed off Sony fan talking.

Coming from a guy who has an Xbone, I strongly disagreed with that decision. Anytime you shaft your fans for money its never the right decision. I don't care that it started on PS, to me that's actually entirely irrelevant. What pissed me off was that the latest TR was on 360, PS3, and PC. So PS and PC gamers are basically told to fuck off.

Thankfully, it is a timed exclusive. So eventually everyone can enjoy this game. And just to be clear, I only played TR on PS Plus. I didn't even buy it. The game was good but I'm not a TR fan. (I prefer Uncharted) But when something is bullshit I'll call it out.

Timed exclusives mean the Sony buyer jumps to Xbox, or waits it out. If the worst thing that comes of a business decision is conditioning for a gamer to be a more savvy consumer -- one whose priority is other than buying the game as soon as it's available -- that's a small, small evil. Players viewing the world like that are going to find many of their general complaints evaporating.

Haven't played a Tomb Raider game since PS1 days so /shrug

Still stupid to make it exclusive though.

http://kotaku.com/rise-of-the-tomb-raider-isnt-really-an-xbox-exclusive-1620772963


debunked y'all

can a brotha get some dragon points?

Shitty thing. Making a sequel to a multiplatform game an exclusive.

I did see something hilarious just now, There is a thread on the Escapist saying that PS4 gamers should Boycott Tomb Raider...think about it for a second.

Exactly.

If MK ever decided to go exclusive to any system I'd boycott MK.

You're late to the party.



I hate to agree but I kinda agree with this, however I doubt I'll have the power to boycott if they ever just stayed with Playstation. Game's been my childhood and my adulthood so far. Can't just not ever play the game.

You and me both dude.