Home Gaming Tomb Raider devs didn’t mean to mislead

Tomb Raider devs didn’t mean to mislead

1 min read
65

Only on Xbox One

To say that Crystal Dynamics caused a bit of upset at Gamescom would be like saying Keith Richards had a bit of a drug problem. When it was announced that the Tomb Raider sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider would be exclusive to the Xbox One, the internet very nearly exploded.

Problem is, such vague language was used, causing quite a bit of confusion. We were there, and immediately figured that it would be a timed exclusive. Others held the opinion that it was to be an exclusive from now until the hereafter.

Crystal Dynamics has now cleared it all up anew, saying that it ”certainly didn’t intend to cause any confusion with the announcement.”

On a new FAQ on Tumblr, Crystal Dynamics has stated that it didn’t take the decision to go for a timed exclusive lightly and apologised for not being wholly forthcoming.

“Our goal is to build the best game that we possibly can, and our relationship with Microsoft will help us realize our vision for the game,” said the FAQ. “The Microsoft Gamescom stage was a great place to make the initial announcement, but not necessarily to go into details.”

To be honest though, both Microsoft and Crystal Dynamics skirted around the issue when initially asked to clarify; starting with the initial announcement of Rise of the Tomb Raider being exclusive to Xbox for “Holiday 2015.” From there it all just snowballed, with Microsoft’s official twitter accounts saying it was 100% exclusive, and linking to that awfully confusing post by Crystal Dynamic’s Darrell Gallagher.

It took quite a lot of poking for anyone to reveal that the exclusivity had a duration. Neither company is willing to divulge details on just how long that duration is, but it’s possibly we’ll see Rise of the Tomb Raider on other platforms in the future.

Last Updated: August 25, 2014

65 Comments

  1. Geof's Shadow

    August 25, 2014 at 08:05

    First comment! I win! XD

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Assassin

      August 25, 2014 at 08:06

      What sorcery is this?

      Reply

      • Kensei Seraph

        August 25, 2014 at 08:08

        Holy aunt of all that is the water melons of pleasure!
        Someone has used the dark arts to create a shadow for Geoff!
        And it’s even sentient!

        Reply

        • Geof's Shadow

          August 25, 2014 at 08:10

          Now to slink back into the er….shadows…

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 25, 2014 at 08:12

            While there, FIX THE SPELLING OF YER NAME!

            😛

            Also, while there, provide the community with some saucy insider info about Geoff’s actions for us to troll him!

          • Kensei Seraph

            August 25, 2014 at 08:13

            I’m not sure I want the full details about Geoff teabagging Martha.
            Just knowing that it happened is bad enough.

          • Geoff's Shadow

            August 25, 2014 at 08:18

            Geoff has a my little pony diary in which he chronicles his daily battle with unicorn sticker addiction….

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 25, 2014 at 08:19

            Yesssss, let the information flow through you my dark minion!

          • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

            August 25, 2014 at 08:40

            Can you imagine how terrifying it must be to be Geoff’s Shadow? The things it must see. The things it must experience. Poor shadow

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 25, 2014 at 08:41

            I’d much rather be Geoff’s shadow that Darryn’s one…

          • Geoff's Shadow

            August 25, 2014 at 09:01

            I’ve chatted to Darryn’s shadow at the last Conference of Shadows. I feel for him….his trauma is un-ending 🙁

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 25, 2014 at 09:06

            I really feel for that poor shadow!

    • Umar Ver 1.OBJECTION

      August 25, 2014 at 08:12

      Who’s Geof?

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Assassin

        August 25, 2014 at 08:12

        Apparently he doesn’t give another “F”

        Reply

        • Umar Ver 1.OBJECTION

          August 25, 2014 at 08:13

          Hehe good one 🙂

          Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      August 25, 2014 at 08:22

      What evil lurks in the heart of men?

      Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      August 25, 2014 at 11:17

      LIES! GEOFF HAS NO SHADOW

      Reply

  2. Kensei Seraph

    August 25, 2014 at 08:09

    Estimated exclusivity duration: 3 – 5 years.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Assassin

      August 25, 2014 at 08:13

      How much is that in human years?

      Reply

      • Kensei Seraph

        August 25, 2014 at 08:15

        Duke Nukem Forever’s production cycle.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Assassin

          August 25, 2014 at 08:17

          Heh

          Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    August 25, 2014 at 08:12

    Header of the year!

    Reply

  4. Ryanza

    August 25, 2014 at 08:13

    I still think that Tomb Raider Rise of the Tomb Raider is exclusive to Xbox and will come out on PC later on.

    There is this new trend where older games are being re-released on new consoles with a fresh paint job and more frames per second.
    It looks like new games will 1st come out on Xbox One and then later on will get a new better looking and better playing, re-release on PS4 and PC.

    Reply

    • Xcalibersa

      August 25, 2014 at 08:33

      Well, anything on the PC will always look better and have more frames.

      Reply

  5. Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

    August 25, 2014 at 08:24

    Why am I not surprised that this is a PR disaster? Every time MS is involved in anything their is a massive PR failure and it takes weeks, if not months to try and get the final clear cut info that should have just been shared from the get go.

    I bet Crystal Dynamics isn’t allowed to release more info because of the contractual agreement with Microsoft and Microsoft are trying to build the “hype” by excluding info thinking it will do them well only to realise as the world gets more angry that they have made a mistake by excluding the wrong info.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      August 25, 2014 at 08:27

      But guys… there’s no such thing as bad press!

      I’m guessing this thing was MS’ bitchy little response to Sony organising exclusive content for & marketing the hell out of Destiny.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

        August 25, 2014 at 08:34

        I highly doubt it. I think Microsoft saw an opportunity and took it. Which is all fine and well.

        But the fact remains that MS PR is probably one of the worst on the planet currently. They don’t give the info that people would expect. Having TR as a timed is exclusive is a strategic decision by MS but they are shooting themselves in the foot by not allowing anyone to say how long.

        You know why? Some bigwig somewhere probably thinks that by not telling people how long, they are guaranteeing that people will then buy TR on the XBox instead of waiting for the PS4 release. He/she is probably assuming that people will then purchase an XBox for this.

        Now this strategy is fine but because of the lack of clarity from MS and by proxy Crystal Dynamics, they are now instead alienating people from the Microsoft Brand and inadvertently giving Crystal Dynamics a bad name as a developer who doesn’t care about its gamers and are the kind of devs who would keep important info away from the public.

        This all just comes together as a bad mix and is going to hurt both MS and Crystal Dynamics in a big way.

        Reply

        • Ryanza

          August 25, 2014 at 08:42

          Unchanted was a big surprise and a big system seller for the PS3. I think Unchanted even saved the PS3. Microsoft needed a game to combat Unchanted this holidays and Tomb Raider was the quick fix.

          Unchanted is going to sell systems. Tomb Raider wont. Microsoft knows this. I see a failed attempted to unbalance the PS4 sales when Unchanted gets released.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 25, 2014 at 08:44

            Unchanted? Need moar chanting?

          • Ryanza

            August 25, 2014 at 09:11

            yes yes uncharted.

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          August 25, 2014 at 08:43

          Well, MS don’t have to say how long the exclusive is – I actually agree with them there & yes, it was a good opportunity. But the fact that CD or SE haven’t said really does imply like you said that MS are preventing them from saying anything, which pisses off their customers on other platforms & isn’t good for them. We need to give MS execs more credit for pettiness 😉

          Reply

          • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

            August 25, 2014 at 08:46

            Oh yeah, it’s perfectly legal and ok for them not to say how long. I’m just pointing out that by not saying it’s a bad PR move. The industry standard is give a general time frame. In this case no time frame has been given and was initially made to sound sort of kind of like it could possibly perhaps just maybe be a perma-exclusive.

            But yes, the MS execs are petty and they do tend to keep getting everyone all angry at the company

      • Ryanza

        August 25, 2014 at 08:35

        Xbox One has had bad press after bad press ever since the console was announced. I don’t see Xbox One selling really well with it’s bad press.
        Sony’s PS4 on the other hand is selling really well with it’s good press.

        The exclusive content for Destiny that’s coming to PS4 is not that big or much to even get worked up about. Sony marketing and promoting the hell out of Destiny is a really smart move because Bungie with the Halo series has always been the heart of Xbox.

        So the heart of Xbox is now better on PS4. I like Sony’s approach this generation with the PS4.

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          August 25, 2014 at 08:46

          Never underestimate the illogical behaviour of senior execs when they think someone is treading on their toes – Apple v Samsung is a good example.

          Reply

          • Ryanza

            August 25, 2014 at 08:49

            Ah Samsung coping the Iphone design and made shit lots of money from it and by the time they got sued the money that had to be paid was nothing when compared to the money they made.

            But that will only work if Tomb Raider sells well on Xbox One and if the Xbox One sells well because of Tomb Raider.

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 25, 2014 at 08:49

            Don’t tell me you are an Apple fanboi, that kinda makes your no drm stance kinda moot

          • Ryanza

            August 25, 2014 at 08:53

            i don’t get your comment. so if i just mention iphone then i’m a iphone fanboi.

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 25, 2014 at 09:06

            Don’t be silly, I’m just saying that if you are, then it will be quite ironic

          • Ryanza

            August 25, 2014 at 09:14

            why would i be an iphone fan. I liked ericsson.

            http://www.thaimobilecenter.com/images/products/ericsson_gf_788_01.jpg

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 25, 2014 at 09:40

            Baws phone is baws

          • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

            August 25, 2014 at 08:57

            Yeah, to be fair it wasn’t the entire design. It was literally the rounded corners that apple were complaining about.

            I still say it was a weak case because an iPhone has flat sides while the Galaxy phones in question all had rounded sides. It was just the corners that Apple were going on about which, in my view was stupid.

          • Ryanza

            August 25, 2014 at 09:01

            It was all stupid if I can recall but didn’t they win the court case? and couldn’t sell the phone in many countries.

          • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

            August 25, 2014 at 09:04

            Yeah Apple won. Probably the most controversial win ever. I never thought Apple would win such a frivolous court case. Either way, neither here nor there.

            Large corporate companies are worse than cats. Marking their territories and being a-holes about it all the while

          • Brian Murphy

            August 25, 2014 at 17:19

            Yeah, they won the case, but that’s more of a statement on America’s absurdly antiquated and abused patent system, than anything else.

  6. Hammersteyn

    August 25, 2014 at 08:33

    At least we can play Temple of Osiris so long…….. or not. Seriously, why would anyone play that?

    Reply

  7. Pieter Kruger

    August 25, 2014 at 08:47

    Are we seriously still butt hurting about this ponies?? MOVE ON!

    Reply

  8. Rinceable

    August 25, 2014 at 08:53

    I am pretty sure the game will make it to other platforms, makes no business sense to not.

    Reply

  9. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    August 25, 2014 at 08:55

    What a balls up (of PR) – They still can’t give a straight answer… Fortunately, Squeenix have convinced me to get Rise of Tomb Raider second-hand (when it finally strolls onto PS4).

    Reply

  10. Rock789

    August 25, 2014 at 08:59

    Completely understand why CD did it – it’s just business, so it’s logical. But since when are gamers logical. 😉

    Still think we’ll see it on other platforms at some stage. Just a case of when.

    Reply

    • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

      August 25, 2014 at 09:00

      I think that’s what people are annoyed about. The fact that no one can give them even a general time frame. Must they wait a year? 2 years? 6 months?

      Bad PR

      Reply

      • Rock789

        August 25, 2014 at 09:03

        Agreed. I’m assuming there was some form of “Don’t mention the timeframe” clause in the contract between MS and CD.

        Reply

        • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

          August 25, 2014 at 09:05

          Yeah, I am assuming the same thing. It’s bad for PR man. Bad for the image of CD as a good dev house.

          Reply

          • Rock789

            August 25, 2014 at 09:10

            True. Which is a shame because I seriously loved their Definitive Edition of the latest Tomb Raider – it truly showed they know their stuff and can make a spectacular game, particularly on the new-gen hardware… Sad that, potentially, not everyone will be able to experience that on their gaming platform of choice.

          • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

            August 25, 2014 at 09:13

            Very sad indeed. Or at least not anytime soon

  11. FoxOneZA

    August 25, 2014 at 09:19

    This was definitely a reaction to Destiny’s exclusive Beyonce content coming to PS4.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Assassin

      August 25, 2014 at 09:44

      So they put a ring on it?

      Reply

      • FoxOneZA

        August 25, 2014 at 09:58

        Lara’s too bootaylicious for the PS4.

        Reply

  12. Viking Of Science

    August 25, 2014 at 09:51

    If Only they used better language in the Beginning, Like “Coming Holiday 2015 – FIRST on Xbox One”

    There would be no issue, no internet outrage, just a bit of rage from PS fanboys….

    Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      August 25, 2014 at 09:57

      First being the operative word. Fanbois are full off rage these days and they’ll setup a complete movie house in their bedrooms to stir the pot.

      Reply

  13. Rags

    August 25, 2014 at 09:52

    Still no playable male character. Will not buy.

    Reply

  14. Mabenito

    August 25, 2014 at 10:07

    Everything that starts with a “Ryse” or “Rise” or “Rice” or “Rize” is a XBOX exclusive.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      August 25, 2014 at 11:21

      Anything starting with “Rice” would be a PS4 exclusive surely? #lacist!

      Reply

      • Mabenito

        August 25, 2014 at 16:44

        Seliously Lacist dude..!

        Reply

  15. Kikmi

    August 25, 2014 at 13:20

    I dont get why it took so long to clear up, er even above and beyond that why it happened in the first place. We’re all well aware of MS 180 style of business and PR practice but the fact that CD/MS/SE didnt bother even clarifying on the day of the upset annoys me.

    Reply

  16. Willem Swanepoel

    August 25, 2014 at 18:47

    It is something that they call in AMERICA … publicity stunt …

    They got the whole gaming media / community where they wanted them to be … it will be released to all platforms at some point but unfortunately for CD people will be over the hype game when it does.

    People should get over it, play other games and move on or what really helps is to cry in the corner and use the tears to give you that extra lube to masturbate, careful not to hit your eye while looking down, ladies complain it burns the eyes

    😉

    Reply

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