Job posting suggests new Tomb Raider game is in later stages of development
Recent Tomb Raider remastered versions reintroduced gamers to the first six games in the series. Still, the last mainline title, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, debuted in 2018. Crystal Dynamics announced a project in 2022, with only rumors about its progress since. Despite the silence, the new Tomb Raider game may be closer to completion than anticipated. A fresh job posting references a strike team, which usually addresses issues later in development cycles.
A Reddit poster discovered the ad and discussed its implications on the Tomb Raider subreddit. Developer Crystal Dynamics is seeking a Senior Level Designer to lead strike teams. The job posting mentions "puzzle design, ideally with third-person action-adventure games". Considering the developer's current endeavors, the description implies that a Tomb Raider game is the focus.
Strike teams typically come into play in the last six months or even sooner prior to a game's release. They may focus on technical problems that other developers are struggling with. Work includes debugging crashes or optimizing the performance of game engines. The effectiveness of a strike team can affect how soon a game releases.
Crystal Dynamics has confirmed few details about its new Tomb Raider game. However, gamers know it will run on Unreal Engine 5, and Amazon Games will publish the title. Some rumors indicate it will advance the Lara Croft narrative in an open-world setting complete with motorcycles.
There is speculation that the next Tomb Raider will surface in 2026 to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary. Prominent leaker NateTheHate2 hinted that the game could appear at the June 6th Summer Game Fest. The request for a strike team will only make fans more anxious for official news.
