Crystal Dynamics has announced a fresh wave of layoffs, cutting 20 staff across development and central operations. This marks the fourth round of layoffs at the Tomb Raider studio in the past year, following previous cuts in March, August, and November.
The studio confirmed the layoffs in a statement, calling it a “difficult day for our studio” and stressing that these decisions are not made lightly. Crystal Dynamics said the restructuring is intended to align teams with long-term goals as current projects move into new phases of development. The company emphasized efforts to transition affected staff into new roles, but said these departures were ultimately necessary.
What’s next for Tomb Raider?
Despite the turmoil, Crystal Dynamics reassured fans that it remains “fully committed” to its announced Tomb Raider titles. Development continues on both the all-new Tomb Raider: Catalyst and the remake of the original game, now titled Legacy of Atlantis.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst is slated for release next year on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam. The game will take Lara Croft to Northern India, where a “mythical cataclysm” has unleashed ancient secrets and mysterious forces. The studio has not announced a specific release date, but 2025 is the current target.
Before Catalyst lands, players can expect Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. This remake puts players back in Lara’s boots as she travels the globe in search of the Scion of Atlantis. Details on the release window for Legacy of Atlantis are still under wraps.
Why it matters for players
Layoffs at Crystal Dynamics have raised concerns about the future of the Tomb Raider franchise. For players, the studio’s public commitment to ongoing development is a relief, but repeated staff cuts could impact timelines or polish. The studio’s statement focused on supporting departing colleagues and maintaining momentum on its flagship projects.
For now, both Catalyst and Legacy of Atlantis remain on track. Players can expect the next chapter in Lara’s saga to arrive in 2025, with the remake likely to hit before then. No changes to platform availability or pricing have been announced.
The bottom line
- Crystal Dynamics cut 20 more staff, its fourth round in a year.
- Development on Tomb Raider: Catalyst and Legacy of Atlantis continues as planned.
- No delays or changes to release platforms have been confirmed.
While the layoffs sting, Lara Croft’s next adventures are still in the works. Players should keep an eye out for more details as release windows get closer.