Following Tomb Raider Underworld's under performance, Eidos is considering a reboot for its top franchise.
Speaking to The Times Robert Brent, the chief financial officer at Eidos, said, "We need to look at everything, as we develop the next game. Look at how Batman changed successfully, from the rather sad character of the Michael Keaton era to the noir style of The Dark Knight".
Crikey! Robert Bent appears to be taking a lead from SPOnG itself - see our review of Legend.
This comes as Crystal Dynamics, the developer behind Underworld, has been forced to cut staff. "We have increased the focus on the Tomb Raider franchise at Crystal Dynamics, regrettably this has resulted in the reduction in headcount", an Eidos representative stated. The headcount of those made unemployed is reportedly at 30.
Commenting on Underworld's lacklustre US sales Brent said, “Europe was fine, but America was not as anticipated. You would normally expect Tomb Raider sales to be split half and half between Europe and North America, but this time America was considerably below that.”
The Times also quotes Piers Harding-Rolls, an analyst at Screen Digest, as saying, “Lara is still looked on with affection in Britain and Europe, but sequels don’t necessarily go on for ever. The market in America is very competitive and if a game is not selling, retailers simply stop stocking it.” It seems a tad dramatic to suggest that retailers in America might entirely stop selling a Tomb Raider title, but it's clear that something needs to be done.
Sources:
The Times
Joystiq
Speaking to The Times Robert Brent, the chief financial officer at Eidos, said, "We need to look at everything, as we develop the next game. Look at how Batman changed successfully, from the rather sad character of the Michael Keaton era to the noir style of The Dark Knight".
Crikey! Robert Bent appears to be taking a lead from SPOnG itself - see our review of Legend.
This comes as Crystal Dynamics, the developer behind Underworld, has been forced to cut staff. "We have increased the focus on the Tomb Raider franchise at Crystal Dynamics, regrettably this has resulted in the reduction in headcount", an Eidos representative stated. The headcount of those made unemployed is reportedly at 30.
Commenting on Underworld's lacklustre US sales Brent said, “Europe was fine, but America was not as anticipated. You would normally expect Tomb Raider sales to be split half and half between Europe and North America, but this time America was considerably below that.”
The Times also quotes Piers Harding-Rolls, an analyst at Screen Digest, as saying, “Lara is still looked on with affection in Britain and Europe, but sequels don’t necessarily go on for ever. The market in America is very competitive and if a game is not selling, retailers simply stop stocking it.” It seems a tad dramatic to suggest that retailers in America might entirely stop selling a Tomb Raider title, but it's clear that something needs to be done.
Sources:
The Times
Joystiq
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Comments
config 12 Jan 2009 15:35
1/7
Um, hasn't the franchise already had something of a reboot with the remake of the original Tomb Raider, which rewrote some of the TR backstory?
Oh, and I don't think Keaton's Batman was nearly as sad as Kilmer's or Clooney's. I saw Dark Knight last week and I have to say I was so deflated I was running on the rims - sparks and rubber all over the place. Ignoring the fairly duff story - I was expecting so much more from Ledger's Joker, but his rendition had bugger all charisma. Hardly a good swansong. 10 Things I Hate About Shrews was on TV a couple of night ago - he was much better in that.
Oh, and I don't think Keaton's Batman was nearly as sad as Kilmer's or Clooney's. I saw Dark Knight last week and I have to say I was so deflated I was running on the rims - sparks and rubber all over the place. Ignoring the fairly duff story - I was expecting so much more from Ledger's Joker, but his rendition had bugger all charisma. Hardly a good swansong. 10 Things I Hate About Shrews was on TV a couple of night ago - he was much better in that.
Joji 12 Jan 2009 16:03
2/7
The problem is Tomb Raider itself.
In Gears (sure maybe a bad comparision), the challenge is in confronting smart ai characters, with the xtras of online content to keep the game ticking over, after the story mode is done. While many games now have these extras to prolong gameplay, Tomb Raider is stuck, in game design ditch of the past, one that offers much less.
My main problems with Tomb Raider are these:
1. An archaic bad combat system, too heavily entrenched in gunplay. Lara needs to diversify her combat. Notice that when she's where ever she is, she never runs out of ammo. Take a look at Dead Rising, a game with great weapon improvisation. Give Lara, different non projectile weapons, some martial arts or CQC, and it would change the game in dramatic way, especially with all her agility and acrobatics. In an ironic way, Batman does all this well, and with the Arkham Asylum game looking good and also from the Eidos nest, hopefully they'll see what's really wrong with TR.
2. A name change is needed, because Eidos are banking too much on cashing in, on the TR name and Lara Croft. As soon as anyone sees the TR name, they already know what to expect, the same half baked game Eidos have been flogging for ten years. It's not good enough anymore. I agree a reboot is need from the ground up, but the name of the game has to change too, as well as the dumb Lara real model whoring, its so unnecessary, when that money could be better spent on making a good game.
3. Learn from the competition. Mirror's Edge has come from the blue, and was good at giving the player a hint, where to go and what to do next. TR still is trapped in that cage, where ledges etc are annoyingly hidden literally from your sight in the textures. Eidos must learn that frustrating the player is a cardinal sin. All the best games like Mario, Prince of Persia, God of War etc always give a good idea of what to do, this TR needs done well badly.
4. Better story is needed for us to care. For my tastes, Lara Croft is too clean cut. She has all these riches and stuff she inherited from her father (how many of us can relate to that??). I'd rather her mansion burn to the ground, her loose all her riches, antiques etc and work freelance. As we all know from Batman, James Bond etc, things always get more interesting when a character is pushed to their limits. Put Lara in a unique situation, where she has to earn money, to rebuild her mansion, maybe have a friend killed, and have her work with other characters more. I want her in prison, or chased and hunted by the law, something to spice it up. Then I'll play. Take hints from Bourne, Bond, Batman, Rambo, maybe even a bit of Oceans 11.
5. More human and less animal enemies. When you enter any lacation for a job, there should be others after the same prize as you. This would create more competition between rivals in an Indy like way, and these days might even work well in an online multiplayer game.
Another thing Eidos should consider, is introduce a new character/s trained by Lara, perhaps Batman style, when she's too old to do what she does anymore. Again, that would be more interesting and want me to play.
This was a mega post, but that's all I've got for now. Good luck Eidos.
In Gears (sure maybe a bad comparision), the challenge is in confronting smart ai characters, with the xtras of online content to keep the game ticking over, after the story mode is done. While many games now have these extras to prolong gameplay, Tomb Raider is stuck, in game design ditch of the past, one that offers much less.
My main problems with Tomb Raider are these:
1. An archaic bad combat system, too heavily entrenched in gunplay. Lara needs to diversify her combat. Notice that when she's where ever she is, she never runs out of ammo. Take a look at Dead Rising, a game with great weapon improvisation. Give Lara, different non projectile weapons, some martial arts or CQC, and it would change the game in dramatic way, especially with all her agility and acrobatics. In an ironic way, Batman does all this well, and with the Arkham Asylum game looking good and also from the Eidos nest, hopefully they'll see what's really wrong with TR.
2. A name change is needed, because Eidos are banking too much on cashing in, on the TR name and Lara Croft. As soon as anyone sees the TR name, they already know what to expect, the same half baked game Eidos have been flogging for ten years. It's not good enough anymore. I agree a reboot is need from the ground up, but the name of the game has to change too, as well as the dumb Lara real model whoring, its so unnecessary, when that money could be better spent on making a good game.
3. Learn from the competition. Mirror's Edge has come from the blue, and was good at giving the player a hint, where to go and what to do next. TR still is trapped in that cage, where ledges etc are annoyingly hidden literally from your sight in the textures. Eidos must learn that frustrating the player is a cardinal sin. All the best games like Mario, Prince of Persia, God of War etc always give a good idea of what to do, this TR needs done well badly.
4. Better story is needed for us to care. For my tastes, Lara Croft is too clean cut. She has all these riches and stuff she inherited from her father (how many of us can relate to that??). I'd rather her mansion burn to the ground, her loose all her riches, antiques etc and work freelance. As we all know from Batman, James Bond etc, things always get more interesting when a character is pushed to their limits. Put Lara in a unique situation, where she has to earn money, to rebuild her mansion, maybe have a friend killed, and have her work with other characters more. I want her in prison, or chased and hunted by the law, something to spice it up. Then I'll play. Take hints from Bourne, Bond, Batman, Rambo, maybe even a bit of Oceans 11.
5. More human and less animal enemies. When you enter any lacation for a job, there should be others after the same prize as you. This would create more competition between rivals in an Indy like way, and these days might even work well in an online multiplayer game.
Another thing Eidos should consider, is introduce a new character/s trained by Lara, perhaps Batman style, when she's too old to do what she does anymore. Again, that would be more interesting and want me to play.
This was a mega post, but that's all I've got for now. Good luck Eidos.
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tyrion 12 Jan 2009 18:57
3/7
Joji wrote:
My main problems with Tomb Raider are these:
All very valid points except for the following;
Combat since Legend has involved a bit of fisticuffs. Underworld has the vaulting off enemies mechanism too. However, I'd really like to see a game that does improvised weapons well. Table legs, chairs, fire extinguishers, etc. should all be available as melee weapons.
Also Lara does run out of ammo for everything except her twin pistols of very slight damage.
It's difficult to make "natural" environments and have ledges stand out to the extent that they do in Mirror's Edge. Glowing red ledges guiding you through the level would take away from the exploration side of Tomb Raider.
You really haven't been playing attention to Tomb Raider games since Legend have you? Lara's had a long lost friend return from the dead, had her mansion blown up and burned to the ground and ***SPOILERS*** had a close friend killed *** END SPOILERS ***. Not to mention the unpleasantness with her mother's disappearance.
Also having lots of money doesn't help in 99% of the game, where you can't buy off an ancient trap or a tiger to stop them from killing you.
In my opinion, the times when Tomb Raider works best is when it's just you pitted against the cunning ancient traps. Levels like the Cistern or St. Francis' Folly from TR1/Anniversary are the best. Navigation, puzzle solving, exploration and a little bit of combat squeezed in.
I don't think Tomb Raider needs a reboot, name change or a different character. It does need something else you pointed out - a better story. TR1's story drew you in with an interesting premise and actually delivered upon that premise in a satisfying way. The story in Legend and Underworld recaptured some of that, but didn't make as much of an impression on me.
Joji 13 Jan 2009 13:06
4/7
I think the core of that reason is the story. I'm a sucker for a good story, but I feel its been an after thought or lacking. I have sampled TR Legend briefly, perhaps not enough to judge by your standards. My view is of the series overall could easily be wrong or jaded, so sue me. I happily admit that last one I purchased was the debut title (hold that thought, and read on).
Overtime, other games and new IPs just appeal to me more. TR series has potential, but I feel its chained to what it can do, just by the title of the game and Lara (crawling around tombs, mostly devoid of other characters). MGS I will always play and buy, because while many moan about cut scenes, the game delivers great imaginative characters (even for a military style game) and story. I'm yet to be turned on in the same way by TR, as I feel its had enough chances and perhaps isn't for me.
I also gave Mortal Kombat a chance once, with MK2 being the pinnacle of the series. Beyond that, little changed, I could see where it was going and I opted out. Look at that series now. (Maybe not similar games but similar practices, with the trap tearing at Eidos' leg feeling the same)
All in all, I'd like to see some new from Eidos, but I feel that they are scared to try much of anything new, perhaps understandable in todays climate, but never really a valid excuse. A decade of hiding behind Lara's skirt needs to change, so perhaps those poor sales are the kick they needed.
Overtime, other games and new IPs just appeal to me more. TR series has potential, but I feel its chained to what it can do, just by the title of the game and Lara (crawling around tombs, mostly devoid of other characters). MGS I will always play and buy, because while many moan about cut scenes, the game delivers great imaginative characters (even for a military style game) and story. I'm yet to be turned on in the same way by TR, as I feel its had enough chances and perhaps isn't for me.
I also gave Mortal Kombat a chance once, with MK2 being the pinnacle of the series. Beyond that, little changed, I could see where it was going and I opted out. Look at that series now. (Maybe not similar games but similar practices, with the trap tearing at Eidos' leg feeling the same)
All in all, I'd like to see some new from Eidos, but I feel that they are scared to try much of anything new, perhaps understandable in todays climate, but never really a valid excuse. A decade of hiding behind Lara's skirt needs to change, so perhaps those poor sales are the kick they needed.
tyrion 13 Jan 2009 13:46
5/7
Joji wrote:
Overtime, other games and new IPs just appeal to me more.
That's fair enough, and entirely your own opinion and you're perfectly entitled to hold and state that opinion. Not every game suits every taste.
However, you seemed to be backing up your opinion with some reasons, most of which appeared to be based on misconceptions or out of date issues with regard to the game mechanics. All I'm trying to do here is point out where you may have slipped behind the times in your understanding of the series and see if you'd like to try it again. And make sure that others reading your posts don't propagate the same misconceptions of course.
I was very cheesed off by the time of Angel of Darkness, but Legend re-ignited my respect for the series. If you enjoyed the first game, you may want to try Anniversary and see how that compares to your memories.
I do feel that Tomb Raider, as a series or games, has a lot of life left in it. As you said, Bond has had a huge number of stories written about him. There's no reason that Lara can't have as many. Not all of them may be as straight ahead "Tomb Raider" games as TR1 or Legend, but then TR3 and Chronicles had some very modern areas in them.
Joji 13 Jan 2009 14:19
6/7
That's cool.
I'll pick up Legend for 360 on the cheapy, as I'm aware of the improvements. True though, other developers have raised their game in respect to when TR was huge and at its peak. I think I need something more that 360/PS3 offer.
Maybe I'm reaching, but the oversaturation culture of presenting Lara as 'a real game character' also bites, while at the time it was a good idea to help sell it (yeah, the models have been sweet too). To many games in too shorter time period is also a problem, very Sonic like (what? they are already working on another one?). How ironic is that Sega can't quite get Sonic right either these days either?
Niko Bellic, Kane and Lynch, Solid Snake, these are good well crafted characters IMO, Lara feels more avatar than anything else, but agree to disagree. Familiarity can breed contempt, maybe that's where I'm at with her.
I'll look forward to seeing what Eidos come up with.
I'll pick up Legend for 360 on the cheapy, as I'm aware of the improvements. True though, other developers have raised their game in respect to when TR was huge and at its peak. I think I need something more that 360/PS3 offer.
Maybe I'm reaching, but the oversaturation culture of presenting Lara as 'a real game character' also bites, while at the time it was a good idea to help sell it (yeah, the models have been sweet too). To many games in too shorter time period is also a problem, very Sonic like (what? they are already working on another one?). How ironic is that Sega can't quite get Sonic right either these days either?
Niko Bellic, Kane and Lynch, Solid Snake, these are good well crafted characters IMO, Lara feels more avatar than anything else, but agree to disagree. Familiarity can breed contempt, maybe that's where I'm at with her.
I'll look forward to seeing what Eidos come up with.
Joji 13 Jan 2009 14:35
7/7
That's cool.
I'll pick up Legend for 360 on the cheapy, as I'm aware of the improvements. True though, other developers have raised their game in respect to when TR was huge and at its peak. I think I need something more that 360/PS3 offer.
Maybe I'm reaching, but the oversaturation culture of presenting Lara as 'a real game character' also bites, while at the time it was a good idea to help sell it (yeah, the models have been sweet too). To many games in too shorter time period is also a problem, very Sonic like (what? they are already working on another one?). How ironic is that Sega can't quite get Sonic right either these days either?
Niko Bellic, Kane and Lynch, Solid Snake, these are good well crafted characters IMO, Lara feels more avatar than anything else, but agree to disagree. Familiarity can breed contempt, maybe that's where I'm at with her.
I'll look forward to seeing what Eidos come up with.
I'll pick up Legend for 360 on the cheapy, as I'm aware of the improvements. True though, other developers have raised their game in respect to when TR was huge and at its peak. I think I need something more that 360/PS3 offer.
Maybe I'm reaching, but the oversaturation culture of presenting Lara as 'a real game character' also bites, while at the time it was a good idea to help sell it (yeah, the models have been sweet too). To many games in too shorter time period is also a problem, very Sonic like (what? they are already working on another one?). How ironic is that Sega can't quite get Sonic right either these days either?
Niko Bellic, Kane and Lynch, Solid Snake, these are good well crafted characters IMO, Lara feels more avatar than anything else, but agree to disagree. Familiarity can breed contempt, maybe that's where I'm at with her.
I'll look forward to seeing what Eidos come up with.