14 DAY TRIAL // The timed exclusivity deal that brings Rise of the Tomb Raider first on the Xbox One and Xbox 360 platforms is a great thing for the series, at least according to developer Crystal Dynamics, which also emphasizes that the partnership with Microsoft is a natural evolution for the franchise.
Rise of the Tomb Raider was revealed to the world last year and it immediately sparked a huge controversy as it seemed that the action adventure title was coming only to the Xbox One and Xbox 360 platforms, after most previous titles were multi-platform releases.
After a short while, developer Crystal Dynamics and Microsoft came forward to say that it was just a timed exclusivity, meaning it will also appear on platforms like PC, PS3, or PS4 at a later point in time.
The partnership and exclusivity are for the good of the game
Now, while talking with GameInformer via GameSpot, Crystal Dynamics leader Darrell Gallagher explains that the partnership between his studio and Microsoft is a logical one, considering they've already worked together on DLC for Tomb Raider Underworld, on timed exclusivity for Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, and other such things.
As such, Crystal Dynamics once again approached Microsoft when beginning work on Rise of the Tomb Raider in order to get some help and ensure that the best game gets delivered to fans, albeit just on the Xbox One and Xbox 360 platforms at first.
"What we look at is how do we bring the best version of Tomb Raider to market? How do we actually make it as prominent as it can be? And there's no doubt that having a first-party in Xbox, alongside, saying, 'We want to help you make this great, we want to push this and get behind it, and love it in the same way as you guys do,' there's only benefits that can come from that," he says.
As far as the game's debut on more platforms is concerned, Gallagher says that the focus is on Xbox One and Xbox 360 right now and that the team will come back to other consoles or the PC "at a later date."
Rise of the Tomb Raider is coming this fall and it's unclear when it might appear for other devices.
