Embracer has just announced the closure of several of its studios. Is the next Tomb Raider game in development at Crystal Dynamics in great danger?
When are we going to find Lara Croft? The most famous adventurer in video games offered us a magnificent epic in 2018 in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Unfortunately, since this episode serving as the conclusion to the trilogy, we no longer have much news from the Briton. In 2022, a few weeks after the acquisition of Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montreal and Square Enix Montreal by Embracer Group, we simply learned that a new episode of tomb Raider was in development. Today, Embracer announces the closure of several studios as part of a restructuring. Immediately after the announcement of numerous layoffs, some players shared their concern about the future of the future Tomb Raider.
Embracer makes big decisions, Tomb Raider in danger?
In a press release published on its official website, the Swedish group Embracer announces a major restructuring with immediate effect. Until March 2024, the company will make multiple changes to its operation. Embracer says several studios will close and unannounced projects with low ROI will be cancelled. But Embracer does not give up on the video game industry and clearly demonstrates its desire to strengthen its position in the video game market.
We are now launching multiple actions to strengthen our cash flow and leverage our portfolio of intellectual properties to become a stronger company and embark on a stable future to create even greater games for the benefit of players and fans. of the whole world.
We therefore understand that tomb Raider should not be adversely affected by this restructuring. On its Twitter account, Crystal Dynamics confirms that its game under development will not be impacted by the decisions made by Embracer.
First images of the game this year?
Thus, the company counts “increase external funding of internally developed high-budget games” and affirms its desire to focus on the development of its own licenses. Let’s hope that the group reassures the most fervent fans and shows the title developed on Unreal Engine 5 well this year, as the rumors indicate. On the other hand, the next Deus Exwhich would be in development on the side of Eidos Montreal, could really be in danger, even if Embracer itself wanted to relaunch the saga.
In recent years, Embracer has had a string of studio takeovers lining up tickets, but none of the company’s subsidiaries have delivered memorable productions. Last significant failure: Saints Row, released in August 2022 and which is clearly not essential. The restructuring announced by the firm is therefore not such a big surprise. In addition to the studios mentioned above, Embracer also has big names in the industry such as THQ Nordic, PLAION, Coffee Stain, Amplifier Game Invest or Saber Interactive. In total, the Swedish group owns 138 studios in 40 different countries.