Support NeoGAF

[Larson Conway]

"I hope fans know that it wasn’t an easy decision. I think any sort of partnership at this level is a decision that took a longtime for us to get to. The decision at a studio level, we took very, very seriously. We knew it would, in the short-term, disappoint fans," Rogers said.

"What we saw in Microsoft, which is probably not as well known, is that Microsoft’s passion for Tomb Raider is amazing.

"Having been working with us on previous games in a lesser sense, they’ve been supportive. [However], for Rise of the Tomb Raider, they’ve just brought this passion and belief that has really enabled us to blow people away. People should feel that about Microsoft. Their commitment to Tomb Raider is just amazing for us," Rogers said.

"To see Tomb Raider showcased with Halo, Forza and Gears and see Tomb Raider there, it’s amazing for us."

"If you don’t know, Phil [Spencer] visits Crystal [Dynamics] every time he’s in the Bay Area. Phil is the most welcomed guest, he’ll come talk to the team, play the game and [Microsoft] is a very committed organization to our properties. It just makes it that much more exciting for us," Rogers said.

"It (passion) becomes the most important thing. We’re about growing our IP, this is a long-term decision. We’re going to take Tomb Raider up to the next level. With Microsoft’s belief, passion and sort of muscle to help us deliver, we really think this is going to be an awesome game that people will enjoy for years and years to come."

Source

Lock if old

 

[Enter the Dragon Punch]

If they honestly believe that they made a better game thanks to this deal then bring it on. I can wait a few months if it means I get a better game than if it was releasing on all platforms at once.

 

[ShadowSoldier89]

That's some weird pr

 

[moered6]

ok?

 

[Elixist]

That's some weird pr

the fact that they've said as much about this contract as they have is still baffling to me. alot of companies would just tip toe around the issue that its just a timed exclusive. "ya we're exclusive to xb1 this holiday! please understand"

 

[KingBroly]

The announcement of the other versions before the Xbox versions are out, along with this, just screams backtracking to me.

 

[DNAbro]

I don't think releasing on one console first will help grow the IP, even with Microsoft's marketing. Though i wonder if they will eventually bundle the game.

 

[LycanXIII]

the fact that they've said as much about this contract as they have is still baffling to me.

It sounds like they regret it.

 

[chadskin]

The announcement of the other versions before the Xbox versions are out, along with this, just screams backtracking to me.

You're not alone.

 

[Vire]

Bizarre comments. Sounds like there is an immense amount of regret going on here with the continual statements from Square and Co about the exclusivity.

I'd just keep my head down and make the game great.

 

[WickedLaharl]

Passion equals money here

 

[Cmerrill]

"It wasn't an easy decision". Until they showed us the money and then it was an easy decision.

 

[LegalEagleMike]

passion = lots of money

 

[LuuKyK]

Its ok that this deal is a thing, whatever, but this reasoning is just contradictory. lol

How does limiting your audience to one console equals expanding the IP? Thats some shady PR speak right there.

Of course I don't expect them to outright say that it was money but remaining silent would be better than saying this nonsense.

 

[The Artisan]

so this likely won't be the last tr, so my question now is, is mS going to by the exclusive rights to tr from here on out?

 

[nubbe]

 

[Nightengale]

That statement on MS's passion is awkward.

 

[KingBroly]

You're not alone.

I sorta wonder why Microsoft didn't get on their asses about this, since it is their money.

 

[Toki767]

Are they trying to convince us or themselves?

 

[Guymelef]

"It becomes the most important thing. We’re about growing our IP, this is a long-term decision. We’re going to take Tomb Raider up to the next level. With Microsoft’s belief, passion and sort of muscle to help us deliver, we really think this is going to be an awesome game that people will enjoy for years and years to come."

he

 

[Loudninja]

This is weird.

 

[120v]

How does limiting your audience to one console equals expanding the IP? Thats some shady PR speak right there.

one console = infinite passion

 

[PeregrinSe7en]

Passion equals money here

should have been the first post itt

 

[klee123]

Yeah........this screams damage control lol.

Just admit you got a pile of cash from MS and be done with it. It's just business after all.

 

[The Artisan]

Its ok that this deal is a thing, but this reasoning is just contradictory. lol

How does limiting your audience to one console equals expanding the IP? Thats some shady PR speak right there.

+1 by what phil spencer said as well. something like

"i'm a big fan of uncharted, and we currently don't have a game on our system of that ilk..."

uhh, yes you did, rotr was always gonna come to xbone, you just paid to have the competition not have it.

 

[SmokedMeat]

Microsoft's passion for Tomb Raider, or their need to get a leg up on Sony going into the holidays?

 

[Inuhanyou]

The 'passion' and 'commitment' MS have toward Tomb Raider is apparently off the charts.

 

[Wagram]

The announcement of the other versions before the Xbox versions are out, along with this, just screams backtracking to me.

At first I thought the same way. However, I believe they announced the date intentionally to let people know that if you want Tomb Raider this holiday, then you need an Xbox. Otherwise you'll be waiting six months to a year.

 

[Dynomutt]

What a coincidence. Just saw this on Reddit that pre-orders are low. Any possibility this may have some substance to it? I hope the game does well. TR 2013 was a sleeper game to me.

 

[Ricerocket]

They aren't growing their IP with how this is handled.

Also surprising they would talk about this... Why do you need to explain it?

 

[lowhighkang_LHK]

so this likely won't be the last tr, so my question now is, is mS going to by the exclusive rights to tr from here on out?

Maybe. Bottom line is MS needs something to directly compete against whatever awesome Naughty Dog is cooking up for PS4.

I still think SquareEnix is doing a great disservice to the Tomb Raider as a brand in the long run by not putting it out day and date on the world's most currently successful console (PS4).

 

[Ray Down]

It was hard till they saw that fat check

I don't think releasing on one console first will help grow the IP, even with Microsoft's marketing. Though i wonder if they will eventually bundle the game.

Thats the only way I could actually seeing the IP growing in a sence.

But doing later releases on platforms that had higher sales then the Xbox is bound to result in lost sales and fans and possibly damage the IP again.

I wonder if Square will do this shit again with the squeal or just have a regular marketing deal.

With all this news I wonder how pre-order numbers were doing before hand?

Would love to get some insiders on this.

 

[Strangelove77]

The Passion of the Microsoft.

 

[DangerMouse]

The announcement of the other versions before the Xbox versions are out, along with this, just screams backtracking to me.

This is some full on "we fucked up and can't do anything about it now" levels of regret PR.

I don't think releasing on one console first will help grow the IP, even with Microsoft's marketing. Though i wonder if they will eventually bundle the game.

Yeah, locking out the biggest fanbase of your series is a pretty odd move for growing the IP after the reboot.

Yeah I'd imagine bundles are part of the deal otherwise their level of screw up is even bigger.

 

[Sorcerer]

I'm sure the timed exclusive dlc and the next Tomb Raider game being timed exclusives will be a burden that will weigh heavily on their hearts.

In the meantime look at this pile of MS cash in the corner.

 

[Einbroch]

Well I can't say I expected this outcome. Totally out of left field.

 

[Hagi]

Growing your IP = leaving it to debut on another console a year after everyone else

I'm fine with the exclusive but just say they gave you money and be done with it, there's no need to write Microsoft a love sonnet.

 

[neogaffer1]

What a coincidence. Just saw this on Reddit any possibility it may have some substance to it? I hope the game does well. TR 2013 was a sleeper game to me.

MS not putting up money to promote the game...it's on every XB1 box and is being pushed as one of the three big exclusives for this year. Sounds suspiciously similar to what famousmort said about Sony and EA over Titanfall, and we all know how false that turned out to be.

 

[vypek]

I wish someone would edit that thing from FF15 to say "The passion" instead of "The money"

 

[Sydle]

Hopefully that passion materializes in ways that are apparent to fans. I haven't seen it yet.

Let's see that MS marketing muscle and a killer campaign that undeniably tops the last game.

 

[iBeleaf]

Considering everything we know about the past Tomb Raiders on PS/XBOX these statements are hilarious

 

[The Artisan]

Maybe. Bottom line is MS needs something to directly compete against whatever awesome Naughty Dog is cooking up for PS4.

I still think SquareEnix is doing a great disservice to the Tomb Raider as a brand in the long run by not putting it out day and date on the world's most currently successful console (PS4).

why not create your own goddamn IP then instead of buying out an IP that's been multiplat for a very long time?

i'm not against 3rd party exclusives, but it's just the way this deal went down and everything about it in particular that was wrong.

 

[Shengar]

"If we know the PS4 will selling like hot cakes world wide, we would never make this deal."

 

[DR2K]

I really hope they got more than marketing rights with this deal, because they're losing a shit ton of sales by being platform exclusive.

 

[Dante316]

They need to let it go! This is beyond baffling. I'm starting to think this deal was made before they realized how popular ps4 was really going to be and they want to appease the ps4 fans.

 

[Jinfash]

He sounds turned on.

 

[n0razi]

PR translation: Microsoft gave us monies!

 

[Stone Ocean]

Good luck with the "growing the IP" thing releasing alongside Fallout 4

 

[Sword Of Doom]

They need to let it go! This is beyond baffling. I'm starting to think this deal was made before they realized how popular ps4 was really going to be and they want to appease the ps4 fans.

Yeah it seems that way

 

[neogaffer1]

why not create your own goddamn IP then instead of buying out an IP that's been multiplat for a very long time?

i'm not against 3rd party exclusives, but it's just the way this deal went down and everything about it in particular that was wrong.

maybe they were counting on quantum break to be that IP for this year, but then it got delayed and they did this to fill the gap.

really, that's the game that's closest to what ND's putting out that's exclusive to Xbox, and before either got delayed they were both coming out fall '15.

edit: rotr exclusivity was announced aug '14, qb delay apr '15, uc4 delay march 15. If they saw that QB was behind schedule between E3 and gamescom last year and thought it might end up being delayed, and they didn't have a game to go specifically against uc4, they could've bought exclusivity for rotr, then before they announced qb was delayed uc4 is delayed and qb is delayed into a similar timeframe.