#GAMESCOM2014 – Rise Of The Tomb Raider IS Timed Exclusive
Following yesterday’s hugely controversial announcement that Rise of the Tomb Raider would be an Xbox exclusive, it sparked an almighty gamer rage and rightly so, as the Tomb Raider franchise is one of the most beloved games within the gaming community. Many had speculated as to whether this will or won’t be a timed exclusive, even I had some hope as stated in yesterday’s article.
But now following a conversation with Eurogamer, Xbox boss Phil Spencer (not to be confused with Frank Spencer) confirmed that Rise of the Tomb Raider will be a timed exclusive after all. Though he wouldn’t detail how long that duration will be for, nor world he confirm what other platforms it could come too. Why would he really? As to be fair, it’s not his place to make such comments regarding other companies. Actually, no, he could just perhaps say “We have a deal with Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics for 6 months or a year.”
As I mentioned yesterday, if and when Rise of the Tomb Raider comes to the PC or PS4, it will likely be a 2016 in my guess and quite possible via some kind of Game of the Year Edition. Still, whether its 2015 or 2016, surely having this title release on other formats other then Xbox, has to be better than nothing for the widespread gaming community. Though as a big fan myself, I do understand the frustration at having to wait, especially for such a game.
Below is the conversation that Eurogamer had with Phil Spencer:
“I get the reaction I see. If I’m a PlayStation person all of a sudden I feel like, the franchise has gone. I didn’t buy the IP. I didn’t buy the studio. It’s not mine. Where this thing will go over time, just like Dead Rising or Ryse, we’ll see what happens with the game. I don’t own every iteration of Tomb Raider.
“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 then. 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.