Tomb Raider is officially returning to The Game Awards. Host and organizer Geoff Keighley announced on December 8, 2025, that Lara Croft will make an appearance at this year’s ceremony on December 11, teasing that viewers will get a look at the future of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. The announcement comes seven years after the last mainline entry, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, released in 2018, and three years after Crystal Dynamics first confirmed they were working on a next-generation Tomb Raider game.
Keighley revealed the news both on social media and through The Game Awards Vote map inside Fortnite, stating this is one you won’t want to miss. While he didn’t explicitly confirm whether the announcement refers to a new game, a remake, the Prime Video live-action series, or multiple projects simultaneously, industry observers strongly expect Crystal Dynamics to finally showcase their Unreal Engine 5 Tomb Raider title that has been in development since 2022.
What We Know About the Next Tomb Raider Game
Crystal Dynamics announced in April 2022 that they had begun work on a new Tomb Raider title powered by Unreal Engine 5. This marked a significant shift for the studio, as previous games used Crystal’s proprietary Foundation engine. The move to Unreal Engine 5 positions the new game to take advantage of cutting-edge graphics technology including Lumen global illumination, Nanite virtualized geometry, and enhanced environmental destruction that could revolutionize Lara’s traversal and combat mechanics.
Beyond the engine announcement, Crystal Dynamics revealed very little about the project’s gameplay, story, or place in the timeline. We did get a redesigned look at Lara Croft last year showing her appearance in the new game, but no actual gameplay footage or cinematic trailers have been released. Three years into development with minimal information shared has left fans hungry for substantial reveals.
Amazon’s Publishing Role
Amazon Games is publishing the next Tomb Raider, marking a shift from the franchise’s traditional publishers Square Enix (who sold Crystal Dynamics to Embracer Group in 2022) and later Embracer themselves. Amazon’s involvement brings significant resources and potential integration with their ecosystem, though the publisher has had mixed results with games like New World and Lost Ark finding audiences while others struggled.
Amazon Games Boss Christoph Hartmann stated in August 2024 that work on the next Tomb Raider was going well and that Crystal Dynamics was sheltered from the Embracer mess, referring to the Swedish conglomerate’s financial troubles and widespread layoffs across their studios. However, Crystal Dynamics itself wasn’t entirely spared from cuts.
The Layoff Shadow
Crystal Dynamics announced two rounds of layoffs in 2025, one in March and another in August. The studio emphasized that the reorganization was painful but necessary to optimize continued development of their flagship Tomb Raider game and shape the rest of the studio to make new games for the future. They assured players the next Tomb Raider remained unaffected by the workforce reductions.
These layoffs created uncertainty about whether the game was on track or facing internal problems. Studios typically claim layoffs won’t affect development, but history shows workforce cuts often lead to delays, scope reductions, or quality issues. The fact that Crystal Dynamics chose to emphasize the Tomb Raider project was proceeding as planned suggests they anticipated community concerns about the game’s status.
Financial Reports and Timeline
Earlier financial reports suggested the new Tomb Raider could release in 2026 or 2027 following an internal delay. While these documents didn’t explicitly name Tomb Raider as the delayed project, observers believe it’s the most likely candidate given that Perfect Dark from The Initiative was reportedly cancelled or severely rebooted. If the 2026-2027 window holds true, revealing substantial information at The Game Awards 2025 would align with typical marketing timelines for major releases 12 to 18 months out.
Seven years between mainline entries is a long drought for a franchise of Tomb Raider’s stature. For context, the gap between Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015) and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018) was only three years. The extended development time might indicate ambitious scope, technical challenges with Unreal Engine 5, or the turbulence surrounding Embracer’s acquisition and subsequent financial problems disrupting Crystal Dynamics’ workflow.
The Remake Speculation
Keighley’s announcement follows closely on the heels of reports claiming a remake of the original 1996 Tomb Raider is in development and would be announced at The Game Awards. This sparked debate about whether the promised future of Tomb Raider includes one project or multiple initiatives running simultaneously. Remaking the title that launched the franchise has obvious appeal, introducing modern audiences to where Lara’s legend began while satisfying nostalgic fans.
The phrasing future of the franchise rather than new Tomb Raider game leaves room for multiple announcements. Crystal Dynamics could reveal both the new mainline game and a remake, or they might address the franchise holistically including games, the Prime Video series, and other media initiatives. The deliberate vagueness in Keighley’s tease suggests something more complex than a simple game trailer.
The Prime Video Series Wildcard
Prime Video is developing a live-action Tomb Raider series starring Sophie Turner from Game of Thrones as Lara Croft. Story Kitchen, the film and TV studio behind the project, stated the series aims to reinvent the franchise on a massive scale, interconnecting a new live-action television series and video games into a unified storytelling universe. This transmedia approach mirrors what Star Wars, Marvel, and other mega-franchises pursue.
The Game Awards traditionally focuses on video games rather than television projects, but with Amazon involved in both the TV series and publishing the next game, a coordinated reveal showcasing how the projects interconnect wouldn’t be unprecedented. Keighley might frame the announcement as the future of Tomb Raider across all media rather than specifically about one game.
What Fans Hope to See
After three years of near-silence since the initial 2022 announcement, Tomb Raider fans want substantial reveals at The Game Awards. At minimum, expectations include a cinematic trailer showing tone, setting, and narrative direction. Gameplay footage demonstrating Unreal Engine 5 capabilities, traversal mechanics, and combat improvements would be ideal. A release window, even if not a specific date, would help manage expectations about how long the wait continues.
Reddit discussions reveal community desires for the next game’s direction. Many want a return to the tone and structure of the original Core Design games with more puzzle-focused gameplay and less emphasis on combat setpieces. Others prefer the survival action approach of the 2013 reboot trilogy but refined and expanded. Some hope for an entirely new timeline or interpretation that breaks from previous continuities.
The Pressure of Expectations
Tomb Raider carries immense legacy and expectations. Lara Croft is one of gaming’s most recognizable characters, transcending the medium into broader pop culture. The franchise has survived multiple reboots, publishers, and development teams while remaining culturally relevant. Crystal Dynamics shoulders the pressure of delivering a game that satisfies longtime fans, attracts new audiences, justifies seven years of waiting, and showcases what Unreal Engine 5 makes possible.
The Game Awards stage is both opportunity and risk. A strong showing generates hype and positive buzz that carries through the game’s marketing cycle. A disappointing reveal or lack of gameplay creates backlash and skepticism about whether the game is ready. Crystal Dynamics surely understands the stakes, which is why they likely waited until they had something substantial to show before committing to The Game Awards appearance.
FAQs
When will Tomb Raider be revealed at The Game Awards?
The Game Awards 2025 airs on December 11, 2025. The specific time during the broadcast when Tomb Raider will be shown hasn’t been announced, but major reveals typically happen during the first half of the ceremony.
What Tomb Raider project will be revealed?
Geoff Keighley’s announcement refers to the future of Tomb Raider without specifying a particular project. Most expect Crystal Dynamics’ next mainline game announced in 2022, but rumors suggest a remake might also be revealed, and the Prime Video series could be mentioned.
When was the last Tomb Raider game?
Shadow of the Tomb Raider released in September 2018, making it seven years since the last mainline entry. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered launched in 2024 but that was a collection of enhanced classic games rather than new content.
Who is developing the next Tomb Raider?
Crystal Dynamics, the studio behind Tomb Raider titles since 2006’s Tomb Raider: Legend, is developing the next game using Unreal Engine 5. Amazon Games is publishing the title.
When will the next Tomb Raider release?
No official release date has been announced. Financial reports suggest 2026 or 2027 as potential windows, though these remain unconfirmed. The Game Awards reveal might provide a clearer timeline.
Is Sophie Turner playing Lara Croft?
Sophie Turner is cast as Lara Croft in the upcoming Prime Video live-action Tomb Raider series, not the video game. The game’s Lara will be portrayed through performance capture by an actress who hasn’t been publicly announced yet.
Will the new Tomb Raider be on Game Pass?
Unknown. Amazon Games is publishing, and their relationship with Microsoft’s Game Pass varies by title. New World and Lost Ark aren’t on Game Pass, but publishing deals can include platform-specific arrangements announced closer to release.
Is this a reboot or continuation?
Crystal Dynamics hasn’t clarified whether the next game continues the 2013 reboot trilogy timeline, starts fresh, or returns to the original continuity. The Game Awards reveal should provide clarity on narrative direction and Lara’s place in the timeline.
Conclusion
Tomb Raider’s return to The Game Awards on December 11, 2025, represents a pivotal moment for one of gaming’s most storied franchises. After seven years since Shadow of the Tomb Raider and three years since Crystal Dynamics confirmed development of a new title, fans finally get to see what the future holds for Lara Croft. Whether the announcement covers a single game, multiple projects including a remake, or a transmedia initiative spanning games and the Prime Video series, expectations are sky-high for a franchise that defined action-adventure gaming. Crystal Dynamics carries the weight of delivering something worthy of Tomb Raider’s legacy while pushing forward with Unreal Engine 5 technology and Amazon’s backing. The Game Awards stage will show whether that seven-year wait was spent crafting something special or if the franchise stumbled during its transition between publishers and engines. For millions of fans worldwide, December 11 can’t come soon enough. Lara Croft is coming home.