Why Was There Never a Second Tomb Raider?
The Tomb Raider franchise, which was first introduced in 1996, has been a beloved series of action-adventure games and movies. The original Tomb Raider game, developed by Core Design, was a groundbreaking success, and it spawned a series of sequels and spin-offs. However, despite its popularity, there was a gap of several years between the release of the first two games. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the delay and why there was never a second Tomb Raider game.
MGM’s Role in the Delay
The first Tomb Raider game was released in 1996, and it was a huge success. The game’s success led to the development of a sequel, which was expected to be released in 1997. However, the development of the sequel was delayed due to various reasons, including the departure of key team members and the studio’s focus on other projects.
Angelina Jolie’s Departure
In 2003, Angelina Jolie, who played Lara Croft in the first two Tomb Raider movies, announced that she would not be reprising her role as Lara Croft in the third movie. This led to a delay in the production of the third movie, which was eventually released in 2008.
Square Enix’s Acquisition of Eidos
In 2009, Square Enix acquired Eidos, the studio that developed the Tomb Raider games. This acquisition led to a change in the direction of the franchise, and the development of new Tomb Raider games was put on hold.
Remasters and Reboots
In recent years, the Tomb Raider franchise has seen a resurgence in popularity, thanks to the release of new games and remasters of classic games. In 2013, Crystal Dynamics released a reboot of the Tomb Raider series, which was a critical and commercial success. The game’s success led to the development of a sequel, which was released in 2015.
Current Status of the Franchise
Today, the Tomb Raider franchise is owned by Embracer Group, a Swedish video game holding company. The franchise is currently focused on developing new games and remasters of classic games. In 2020, Embracer Group announced that it would be releasing a remastered trilogy of the first three Tomb Raider games, which was released in 2022.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the delay in the release of the second Tomb Raider game was due to a combination of factors, including the departure of key team members, the studio’s focus on other projects, and the acquisition of Eidos by Square Enix. The franchise has since seen a resurgence in popularity, thanks to the release of new games and remasters of classic games. Today, the Tomb Raider franchise is owned by Embracer Group, and it continues to be a beloved series of action-adventure games.
Timeline of the Tomb Raider Franchise
- 1996: Tomb Raider is released for the PlayStation
- 1997: Tomb Raider II is released for the PlayStation
- 1998: Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft is released for the PlayStation
- 1999: Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation is released for the PlayStation
- 2000: Tomb Raider Chronicles is released for the PlayStation
- 2003: Angelina Jolie announces that she will not be reprising her role as Lara Croft in the third movie
- 2008: Tomb Raider: Underworld is released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
- 2013: Tomb Raider is released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
- 2015: Rise of the Tomb Raider is released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
- 2018: Shadow of the Tomb Raider is released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
- 2020: Embracer Group announces that it will be releasing a remastered trilogy of the first three Tomb Raider games
- 2022: The remastered trilogy of the first three Tomb Raider games is released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Key Takeaways
- The delay in the release of the second Tomb Raider game was due to a combination of factors, including the departure of key team members and the studio’s focus on other projects.
- The franchise has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks to the release of new games and remasters of classic games.
- The Tomb Raider franchise is currently owned by Embracer Group, and it continues to be a beloved series of action-adventure games.