The Game Awards will host a major Tomb Raider announcement billed as “the future of Tomb Raider.” The reveal is scheduled for the annual awards show, giving the franchise one of the industry’s highest-visibility stages for its next chapter.
This marks the first significant mainline project announcement since Shadow of the Tomb Raider launched in 2018. The 7-year gap represents the longest drought between mainline entries in the franchise’s modern era.
The wording suggests more than a simple sequel. This announcement could hint at a new direction for the series, a fresh reboot, or potentially a remake that reimagines the franchise’s foundation. No official details about the title, release window, or gameplay direction have been confirmed.
Crystal Dynamics remains the lead developer on Tomb Raider projects. The franchise underwent a major ownership shift when Square Enix sold Crystal Dynamics and the Tomb Raider IP to Embracer Group in 2022. Amazon Games was later announced as the publishing partner for the next mainline entry.
The franchise has already undergone two major reboots. The 2006 Legend trilogy reintroduced Lara with a new continuity. The 2013 Survivor trilogy rebooted her again as a younger, origin-focused character across three games that emphasized survival mechanics and cinematic storytelling.
What comes next for Lara
The Survivor trilogy faced criticism for repeatedly positioning each entry as “the game where Lara becomes the Tomb Raider” despite the character arc already completing in 2013. Fans have expressed interest in seeing a fully realized Lara who begins already confident and capable.
The franchise sits at a crossroads between its puzzle-focused classic roots and the action-heavy direction of recent entries. The 2013-2018 games leaned heavily into third-person shooting and cinematic set pieces, drawing comparisons to Uncharted. With that series now dormant, Tomb Raider could fill the treasure-hunting action-adventure niche.
