The Rise of the Tomb Raider release date is set for 2015, but PlayStation fans can only hope for a port-over; the game is exclusive to the Xbox One.
Developer Crystal Dynamics finally confirms a Rise of the Tomb Raider release date, but also drops the bomb on PlayStation owners with sobering news. Xbox One fans will rejoice during next year's holiday season with an exclusive release, at least that's what the developers are claiming at the moment.
The decision for an exclusive release is unbecoming for the game franchise, as previous installments were ported to the popular consoles; the first Tomb Raider was even released on DOS in 1996, in addition to the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn.
Rumors have already started, claiming Microsoft offered Crystal Dynamics a sizeable amount in exchange for exclusivity. This is understandable since the PlayStation 4 is currently in the lead in the console wars, with around ten million units sold. Microsoft's Xbox One trails behind at 5.3 million.
Studio head Darrell Gallagher apologizes way ahead of the Rise of the Tomb Raider release date, on the game's Tumbler account.
"As you may have seen, we've just announced that Rise of the Tomb Raider, coming Holiday 2015, is exclusively on Xbox. We consider all of you to be the lifeblood of Tomb Raider and the work we do at Crystal. I'd like to give you some insight into this decision, and why we feel this is the very best thing for the Tomb Raider sequel we're creating at the studio."
"This doesn't mean that we're walking away from our fans who only play on PlayStation or on PC. Those are great systems, with great partners, and amazing communities. We have Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris coming to those platforms this December, and Tomb Raider: The Definitive Edition is available on PS4."
It looks like the Rise of the Tomb Raider release date is final and exclusive to the Xbox One. PlayStation and PC owners who feel left out have consolation titles to look forward, though. Here's hoping these games are worth the trade-off (ibtimes.com).
