350°

Keep Calm and Raid On: Tomb Raider Xbox One Exclusivity Panic is Needless

Hardcore Gamer: Today's Gamescom announcement that Rise of the Tomb Raider would be an Xbox Exclusive led to Microsoft getting absolutely lambasted by fans, but it's not all gloom and doom.

Read Full Story >>
hardcoregamer.com
ValKilmer3545d ago

Something tells me the outcry wouldn't be nearly as loud had it been a reversed situation and Sony had announced the game a timed exclusive for PS4.

I think in that case we'd see people championing Sony for their bold move.

ChronoJoe3545d ago

Would seem like a waste of money for Sony though. I mean what's the point in having that, and Uncharted?

Whilst I enjoy Tomb Raider, Uncharted has set the bar pretty high. The last Tomb Raider was good, but this one will need to be better.

Menkyo3545d ago

I honestly think thats the real reason this deal came about because TR has to compete with Uncharted on PS4 and really has nothing to compete with on xbone.

darthv723544d ago

That is a very good possibility Menkyo. Selling to a platform with a highly regarded sequel releasing at or around the same time vs selling to a platform with no direct competition.

It will still be competing against UC4 but at least not on the same platform.

iamnsuperman3545d ago

Of course the out cry wouldn't have been as bad as this since the fan base seems to have moved to the PS4 (looking at the definite edition sales). The outcry seems to be of two things

1. Confusion about what the hell SE is doing
2. Angry at SE for abandoning said core fanbase

Godmars2903545d ago (Edited 3545d ago )

Hell, with something like this you could expect FF15 to be announced as an XB1 exclusive come TGS.

Which actually might mean something in Japan.

Edit@darthv72:
No, at least according to Vgchartz; PS3 - 2.2m, Xbox360 - 1.7m. And apparently the XB1 version sold half as well as the PS4 one.

@iamnsuperman:
If anything, this looks more like it involves, benefits, the execs over customers and even shareholders. Since if the game doesn't sell well its likely to have a negative impact on stock prices. This is something that will likely help MS to a degree, but not SE.

Waitaminute: Wada still works there, doesn't he...?

darthv723545d ago

But the sales on the PS4 in relation to the number of systems is not as great as you would think.

Im not exactly sure on the numbers but I believe the XB1 might have had the higher attach rate for the game. I could be wrong but if someone wants to do the math...please do.

If it turns out that the TR game sold at a higher attach rate on the XB1 then it makes sense why MS would try and lock up this version. They are doing what they can to spur sales.

overall though, the total sales of the next gen TR game paled in comparison to that of the PS3/360. So if this is the only way to play the Rise game...they are hoping that those who liked it on the PS3/360 will jump into next gen.

iamnsuperman3545d ago

@darthv72

I have no quarms of Microsoft locking this up. It would make sense for them. SE is the real confusion. They are not going to care about attached rates. The need cold hard numbers. In a way attached rate numbers are irrelevant if more (total) fans go to the PS4 instead of the One

Prime1573544d ago (Edited 3544d ago )

Darth, would a third party company care about attach rate? You think they would care about the install base. 9m vs 5m... and with that install base came better sales on ps4 2x more: http://www.videogamer.com/p...

The out cry is that most games go from exclusive to multiplatform sequels from third parties.

The only reason games go multiplatform to exclusive is when ms/sony/Nintendo either saves the games concept, like bayonetta, or buys the ip like gears, or buys the studio.

This is just a "wtf moment." And the outcry is justified.

rainslacker3544d ago

@darth

Even going by attach rate, it still doesn't make logical sense. 30% of 500 is still less than 20% of 1000....to put it simply.

SE was bemoaning how poorly the last game sold on three platforms with a combined install base upwards of 230 million users(PC/PS3/360). If they think they'll sell anywhere near that on a console that will have around a 15-20 million install base by the time of it's release, they are absolutely daffy, as attach rate means nothing towards individual game sales, only overall sales of software on the system. This is particularly true if released during what will be a packed 2015 holiday season.

This was a money hat deal through and through. It benefits SE as now they don't have to compete directly with Uncharted on the PS4, get a crap ton of money from MS lowering their need to sell as many copies, all the while a year later they can come around looking like saints saying they listened to their fans and release a definitive edition when the release schedule is looking meager, so people will pick it up for something new to play...not unlike they did with the current gen TR:DE if I remember correctly.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3544d ago
EdoubleD3545d ago (Edited 3545d ago )

Of course it would not have been.
Because there is a bigger player base on the other sides.

x_RadicalAura_x3545d ago (Edited 3545d ago )

Cause Tomb Raider is not a franchise synonymous with Xbox, genius.

Godmars2903545d ago

If it were Sony it would be more neat. Announced with the first reveal at E3. This is messy.

SilentNegotiator3545d ago (Edited 3545d ago )

Oh really? So all of that outcry from timed Destiny DLC...?

Imagine the outcry for a full fledged game if timed DLC got their goat that badly.

468893373544d ago

Of course the outcry wouldn't be as bad. The original sold more copies on PS4 so it would actually make sense from a business standpoint. But Sony wouldn't even need to pay Square to make it exclusive, since they already have Uncharted.

jimjam34423544d ago

kinda common sense, that, i mean had it been the other way around there obviously would be less people getting mad, because there are less tr fans, and owners of/on xbox one.

BG115793544d ago (Edited 3544d ago )

You are getting this wrong dudes. Most of the people complaining out there are PC gamers.
Sony users have there Uncharted to wait for. PC users have nothing to replace TR.
I've been reading out there and MS, CD and SS really did manage to enrage a lot of people. It's almost like MS'DRM situation at E3 of 2013. Things are really getting crazy out there and it's getting worse.
I wouldn't like to be in their shoes.

rainslacker3544d ago

I'm pretty sure they're just hoping it dies out. Or becomes a scenario like DMC where people complained the whole time, but the game still sold.

Their press release on the issue was insulting to fans of the series. I'm sure they'll comment on it again before the end of gamescon....some journalist will ask them the hard questions at some point.

But otherwise, they won't address the issue much at all, or come up with some BS excuse as to why it had to be an X1 exclusive...my guess is related to the cloud.

BG115793544d ago

There cannot be any cloud excuse when they put aside pc users.
There is no amount of cloud that can make the xbox catch up the processing difference betweeen consoles and pc. Pc are doing 4k with full effects on today.
If they ressort to the oud excuse, they are good as doomed. Well at this point, I don't think they have any way out.

nucky643544d ago

no outcry from me, val. I haven't even bought a used copy of the last TR yet.
now, if Microsoft would rope red dead redemption2 as an exclusive??...that would be a different story- I'd be crying a whole lot!! LOL

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3544d ago
truefan13545d ago (Edited 3545d ago )

All this outrage is just further proof that MSFT won gamescom. When you get under the skin of the opposition's fans that much, it proves you did something right. Do you think sony felt bad for XB1 owners about ps4 fans getting exclusive Destiny DLC for 1 year and seeing those fans whine, NOPE.

Xsilver3545d ago (Edited 3545d ago )

10 Million PS4's Sold means your winning, angering the gaming community Again like you did last year means your Losing. the first tombRaider Sold 1.7 millon on xbox 360 with a 80 million user base how much do you think the New Tomb Raider will sell with a 4-5 million userbase :/.

"PS4 is available in 70 countries. What's the point in bringing sales when he's talking about who won Gamescom."

They Won "Games"Com Because they Showed the Most New "Gamessss" isn't that what you guys wanted.

OpieWinston3545d ago

Was that even English?
PS4 is available in 70 countries. What's the point in bringing sales when he's talking about who won Gamescom.

I'll admit that "Wild" was a big win, but it was a pretty soft conference on Sonys part.

And he's got a point, people rejected the fanboys who cried about Destiny Timed exclusive content for a year.

People crying about a franchise going exclusive is stupid...Just own all platforms or shut up.

If you can't afford more than one, weigh the benefits and bite your tongue...Pointless complaining.

gootimes3544d ago (Edited 3544d ago )

^
good old 70 country argument that makes no difference, Sony is winning in EVERY territory.

Sony showed the best games.
Sony has the best hardware.
Sony sells FARRRR more systems.

Sony is even drawing more interest in China...

The only reason people rejected X1 fanboys whining over Destiny DLC is Because Micro pulls this type of stuff all the time!!! X1 fans cry over DLC, do you even know how ridiculous that is! If Destiny was exclusive I could see it, but that just goes beyond anything I have seen. Micro buys up all these 3rd party games and then they go insane over DLC.... X1 fanboys are by far the most insufferable, immature, entitled fan base of any out there.

And guess what, Micro's GTA IV exclusive DLC on 360 was exclusive for over a year and it was bigger DLC than Destiny's!! Micro were the ones that started the practice in the first place. Then they cry because Sony got a DLC deal they are jealous of??? Immature??? yeah.

Mega243544d ago

@OpieWinston

Can you buy an Xbox one for me? I'm on debt thanks to college and can't get one.

Prime1573544d ago (Edited 3544d ago )

Opie, "And he's got a point, people rejected the fanboys who cried about Destiny Timed exclusive content for a year. "

Oh yes, a few cruddy timed items that won't mean anything later on vs the whole game with only the community reading into the PR that sounds like it could be timed... but no official announcement.

Again, this is a company that took their first IP multiplatform then goes exclusive for a sequel that wasn't struggling? The definitive edition sold better on ps4. 2x the copies. Hence the confusion.

Bayonetta2 WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED if not for Nintendo... those exclusive rights make sense.

But whatever, pitting UC4 against tomb raider? Crystal dynamics knew they couldn't compete. Tomb raider tried to be UC.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3544d ago
EdoubleD3545d ago

What?
They won Gamescom by stealing a multi-platform?
Well, what do you expect from someone like truefan1?
You're a moron.

user95970823545d ago

And yet look at the reaction to this announcement. It's virtually the only thing that people are spending more than a brief moment talking about from Gamescom news.

Bennibop3544d ago

They haven't stolen tomb raider they have got it as a 2015 exclusive (bear in mind it could release nov/ dec 2015 and come out jan/February 2016 for PC and ps4) There are job opportunities on crystal dynamics for programmers etc with ps3/ps4 experience to work on tombraider and future 3rd person projects.

gootimes3544d ago

@Shinymasonite

By that logic Micro won by shocking people with another money hat 3rd party game, rather than showing the best games? Sony showed better games... Shouldn't that be a win?

BlackTar1873545d ago

only truefan would equate Gamers hating SE and MS for this move to being a win somehow.

Hey look we just pissed off alot of potential customers WINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNN

x_RadicalAura_x3545d ago (Edited 3545d ago )

CD is just going to die like Crytek has since Ryse. The majority of your "bro shooter" fanbase on the Xbox One doesn't give a flying hoot about Tomb Raider. Then out of desperation, CD/Square will being trying to push a PS4 version later on and guess what? That fanbase who accounted for 69% of the sales of Tomb Raider: DE won't be buying it. R.I.P. CD/Tomb Raider, it was fun while it lasted.

I'll get over it pretty quickly though, thanks to Uncharted 4.

Aceman183545d ago

listen "fakefan" i've had most of the consoles in my gaming life but im more a playstation guy at heart, and this deal made by SE and MS really doesnt bother me in the slightest because it's what i've come to expect from both these companies.

when i saw this at work today i just went hmm, and went right back to work lol. you and your buddies are going a bit overboard with this they won gamescom because of this deal lol.

Toon_Link3544d ago

Dude MS wants ps4 owners to buy Xbox consoles. Why in the hell would a company try to piss off people that could one day be customers? Never ever ever is a company trying to do what you just said.

Btw Hitler won WWII . . .You know because he upset the most people.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3544d ago
MorePowerOfGreen3545d ago

It's not just the game, it's the exclusivity that's symbolic of PS fans entitlement rights being taken away. A phenomena created in their heads based on the position they put XB1 in in the market with their attacks 24/7/365

EdoubleD3545d ago

There is no hokey pokey symbolism you nitwit.

kneon3545d ago

Microsoft's position in the market is entirely self inflicted.

GarrusVakarian3544d ago (Edited 3544d ago )

"A phenomena created in their heads based on the position they put XB1 in in the market with their attacks 24/7/365"

http://i48.photobucket.com/...

You are the David Icke of gaming. Some of the crap you spew legit makes me open my mouth in disbelief. The fact you think PS fans are responsible for the position the X1 is in, and not MS, is testament to just how deluded you are.

I just....Wow.

rainslacker3544d ago (Edited 3544d ago )

Except tomb raider was never exclusive to PS. It was always a multi-platform game. Always. Sure there were some smaller spin off games and DLC that exclusives here and there, but the main title games were always multi-plat.

What you say goes for the PC crowd as well you know. They're just as upset over this. Go read the official thread on the Eidos forums. 4000 comments, 99% of them pissed off fans. I'd say for people that have supported the series for 2 decades, they have a little right to feel entitled. Then there's this forum, and other forums around the net where you have a lot of fans just saying "FU" to Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix.

I don't care if Xbox fans get to play the game, I was happy everyone could play it regardless of platform. But I see a lot of your ilk quite happy that PS/PC users won't be able to. I do care that the fans were pushed to the curb because of a big payout. It's wrong and unethical. Stupid console wars be damned.

People like you are the scum of the gaming community. To take joy in others displeasure over a big company screwing over it's fans just so you can gloat about it. Enjoy your Xbox One. Don't expect sympathy when some of the same crap happens and it's your precious X1 on the chopping block. When that time comes, I have no doubt you'll be full of righteous indignation about how Sony is running scared, and can't produce it's own good content. I know, because you've done so before. Often, and without any concept that people know how full of sh*t you are.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3544d ago
ValKilmer3545d ago

Could Tomb Raider be Xbox's Uncharted?

hello123545d ago (Edited 3545d ago )

Microsoft would love a studio like Naughty Dog to emerge for them. Naughty dog probably is the best studio making games at the moment.

Tomb raider i don't think it it will be that huge on x box 1

Rimeskeem3545d ago

In my honest opinion

I think Uncharted will eat Tomb Raider alive

Better sudio, better story, better characters

GamersHeaven3545d ago (Edited 3545d ago )

Sharknado vs The Godfather you tell me?

@ValKilmer-TombRaiders dialogue and story are terrible so yes it's like comparing to Sharknado in that sense.

ValKilmer3545d ago

Did you really just compare Tomb Raider to Sharknado?

Doge3545d ago

^
Better question. Did you really just compare Uncharted to The Godfather?

nucky643544d ago

doge - even better question -
which would you rather watch - godfather or goodfellas?
I'd take goodfellas EVERY TIME.

gootimes3544d ago (Edited 3544d ago )

Serious question, you want an Uncharted clone? Just play the best. He wasn't comparing Tomb Raider to Sharknado as just a good game, I believe he was saying when compared to Uncharted specifically..

Tomb Raider was good as Tomb Raider, that's what it needs to go back to...

I don't think it could be anything for X1 anyways, seeing as how the other Tomb Raider games are not exclusive and this one is likely timed...

TheGrimReaper00113544d ago

As much I like Tomb Raider, it doesn't even come close to the Uncharted series. That's just my opinion though.

Still, I was REALLY looking forward to this game, but now, it seems I and millions of others won't be able to play it, cause SE betrayed all of it's playstation fans that can't afford a second system.

But I really doubt it'll stay exclusive, unless SE wants Tomb Raider to die off ... again. There are about 5 million XB1's sold and even that isn't confirmed if they reached it. PS4 already reached above 10 million. Fuck, the WiiU would have been a better option! Even that has now more sales than the XB1!

Well, gues we'll just have to wait and see how it all turns out =/

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3544d ago
StifflerK3545d ago

TR has always had great exploration and puzzles. TR 2013 really upped the combat, I liked the story and setting , my only dislike being certain stereotypical crew members.

That part were the Scottish guy says, "I'm from Glasgow" and then starts headbutting people off a cliff , yeah , that was pretty bad, lol.

Either way , I really liked TR 2013 and I'm super stoked for the sequel!

Show all comments (80)
70°

It’ll Be Fine, Right? Five Games With Unfortunate Release Strategies

Mark from WellPlayed writes about five game launches that were impacted by unfortunate scheduling.

Read Full Story >>
well-played.com.au
jznrpg355d ago (Edited 355d ago )

Zero Dawn sold really well so I’m not sure this belongs. The second game released next to a big game again and it hurt it some I forget what it was though, oh yeah Elden Ring .
But a good game is a good game to me I don’t care when they release personally but they do have to think about it when you want to get more people to buy it.

250°

The Tomb Raider Survivor Trilogy's Take on Lara Croft Deserved More Recognition

The Survivor Trilogy was a drastic reimagining of Lara Croft and Tomb Raider, and it provokes changes for the character that are truly fantastic.

Read Full Story >>
gamerant.com
isarai468d ago (Edited 468d ago )

Deserves less IMO, i think the 1st in the new trilogy was a perfect 1st step for the new direction. The next 2 games were half steps at best. Not only that, every character in the series including Lara is just annoying and doesn't make sense in terms of motive, like yes they have a motive, but none of it seems proportional to the lengths they are willing to go through for it. The most annoying thing is every one of the games say "become the Tomb Raider" yet 3 games later and we're still not there? No thanks. Then there's the mess of the 3rd game, massive skill tree that serves almost no purpose as there's literally only like 3-4 short encounters in the whole game, and they took till the 3rd game to finally manage some decent puzzles even remotely close to previous games in the series. Nah, the trilogy infuriated me to no end as a long time fan of the series, i hope we get better going forward cause that crap sucked.

Army_of_Darkness467d ago

The first in the trilogy was my favorite. I thought they were going into the right direction with that one until the second one came out and seemed like a graphical downgrade but the gameplay was okay. As for the Third, Graphics were really nice but it was kinda boring me to death with its non-stop platforming and exploring with not enough action! Well, for me anyway...

DeathTouch466d ago

Graphics on the 3rd one were abysmal. It’s more colorful and has more variety, but everything else was a noticeable downgrade.

The more open world with NPC quests was also handled very poorly, to the point I missed Angel of Darkness.

thesoftware730467d ago

I know it is your opinion, but she did progress as a character in each game, she even got more muscular and seasoned.

That is the thing, people first complained that there was not enough platforming and actual tomb raiding in the first and second games. Shadow remedied that and kept the combat elements.

3-4 encounters? huh? did we play the same game? there was plenty of combat and, the skill tree did matter, like being able to hang enemies from trees, set explosives traps on bodies, being able to counter, and that are just a few of the combat skills. The skill tree also had things like being able to hold your breath underwater longer, crafting upgrades, zipline upgrade, and climbing upgrades that all changed how you can approach situations.

Not knocking your opinion, but we definitely had different experiences. I had 98% completion on the shadow.

SoulWarrior467d ago (Edited 467d ago )

Sorry but i'm with him about the low number of encounters, the game throws loads of weapons and skills you're way with a comparatively low amount of places to actually use them, so they felt under utilised.

-Foxtrot468d ago

Yeah...no

It was awful, for THREE GAMES it was "become the Tomb Raider" where she went back to square one after each game. Not to mention after a huge reaction of killing someone for the first time she then becomes Rambo straight after and goes on a slaughter spree without a single other reaction. Her development was all over the place.

She was whiney, weak and in later game a little arrogant and selfish

Oh and the voice actress compared to the previous ones was not as good

Lara Croft deserved better and while they are decent games as they are, we deserved actual Tomb Raider games, we could have had better survival games if they just stuck with the original Lara Crofts origin about her plane going down. Surviving 2 weeks in the Himalayas...I'd have liked to seen that, who knows what mystical threat she could have faced in the mountains or underground some secret concealed cave.

Tacoboto466d ago

I thought Shadow of the Tomb Raider had better gameplay than Rise, but it annoyed me the most of the trilogy when I stopped to think about the story.

It's like they deliberately decided to make her unlikeable and did nothing to make the character you're playing as likeable or have even one sign of humility.

SoulWarrior468d ago

2013 I thought was a fine entry, but Rise and especially Shadow were painfully mediocre follow ups imo, I really didn't like how selfish and angry her character was in those two.

Terry_B467d ago

No. Please forget the crap completely.

northpaws467d ago

First one was decent, played through it twice.
Second one was okay, played through it once.
Third one was really bad, tried twice a year apart, still can't get through the first two hours, it is just really bad.

thesoftware730467d ago

Honest question, what did you find bad about it? the opening 2 hrs of Shadow were fantastic imo.

The opening was very similar to the first 2, what did you find really bad?

Not looking for an argument, just an honest question.

Starman69467d ago

3rd one just didn't feel like a tomb raider game. Possibly because the development was passed to another development team. Big mistake! Microsoft killed tomb raider making the first game a timed exclusive. Never recovered after that.

Show all comments (45)
200°

Get three Tomb Raider games free at Epic Games Store

Starting today, Tomb Raider, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Rise of the Tomb Raider are free at Epic Games Store. The free game offers run until January 6 at 11 AM Eastern. Once you claim them, they’re yours to keep.

Read Full Story >>
gamefreaks365.com
CrimsonWing69847d ago (Edited 847d ago )

They're all solid games, but nothing quite matched the epicness of the first one for me. I think the 3rd one started off strong but once you got to that Peruvian area it took a massive nose dive for me.

lelo2play847d ago (Edited 847d ago )

You got to be kidding!
The first one was great at the time... but this latest trilogy of Tomb Raider games are also great.

LiViNgLeGaCY847d ago

I think he means the first one in the new trilogy.

CrimsonWing69847d ago

I meant the first of the new trilogy.

Furesis847d ago

yeah i remember liking the first one when it came out, so i tried the second one sometime after release and i just could not get into it, i couldn't finish it. So i might try the 3rd now that i got it for free but ehh. But i do remember enjoying the first one, i wonder if i'd feel the same way if i played it today? Better not taint those memories lol

ANIALATOR136847d ago

I was the same for some reason. Never finished the second one. I got like half way through maybe.

ActualWhiteMan846d ago (Edited 846d ago )

The first one of the latest trilogy is a masterpiece

Fishy Fingers847d ago

I'll take a copy of Shadow... Cheers.

Profchaos847d ago

Great games I've played them all on ps4 but it'll be good to finally try shadow on my rtx card.

Double_O_Revan847d ago

Trying to claim them and the store keeps crashing. lol.

gamefreaks365847d ago

EGS has been having issues all day.

RedDevils847d ago

Weird I don't has that issue.

Double_O_Revan847d ago

I finally got it after a while. But it was real bad for a while.

PeeShuter847d ago (Edited 847d ago )

Claim games by going to the website and login using ur credentials. I did the same as i couldnt use epic launcher. Also try reinstalling Epic Launcher I did it and it worked.

Double_O_Revan847d ago

I always go through the website. It was all just down for a while yesterday it seems.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 847d ago
Show all comments (19)