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Microsoft dropped quite the bombshell during their Gamescom 2014 conference, announcing that the sequel to Square Enix’s Tomb Raider reboot, Rise of the Tomb Raider, will be an Xbox exclusive.

Developed by Crystal Dynamics and set to be released during the holiday period of 2015, this comes as quite the surprise considering that the developers original Tomb Raider and its Definitive Edition were multiplatform. Rise of the Tomb Raider was announcing with a trailer during this years E3 conference:

Head of Studios over at Crystal Dynamics, Darrell Gallagher, has released a statement about the news over at the game’s official Tumblr site.:

“Dear Tomb Raider Community,

As you may have seen, we’ve just announced that Rise of the Tomb Raider, coming Holiday 2015, is exclusively on Xbox. We consider all of you to be the lifeblood of Tomb Raider and the work we do at Crystal. I’d like to give you some insight into this decision, and why we feel this is the very best thing for the Tomb Raider sequel we’re creating at the studio.

Tomb Raider in 2013 was a success due in large part to your continued support. Our goal has always been to deliver something truly special with Rise of the Tomb Raider. Today’s announcement with Microsoft is one step to help us put Tomb Raider on top of action adventure gaming. Our friends at Microsoft have always seen huge potential in Tomb Raider and have believed in our vision since our first unveil with them on their stage at E3 2011. We know they will get behind this game more than any support we have had from them in the past – we believe this will be a step to really forging the Tomb Raider brand as one of the biggest in gaming, with the help, belief and backing of a major partner like Microsoft.

This doesn’t mean that we’re walking away from our fans who only play on PlayStation or on PC. Those are great systems, with great partners, and amazing communities. We have Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris coming to those platforms this December, and Tomb Raider: The Definitive Edition is available on PS4.

We know that there are probably many more questions and concerns. Please do send them to us, and we’ll answer to the best of our ability. Meanwhile we’re going all out to try and make something truly special – the most ambitious Tomb Raider game ever built.

Thanks,

Darrell Gallagher
Crystal Dynamics Head of Studios”

While there are still many unanswered questions in regards to the announcement, what irks me more than anything is that this news is just plain odd (and this is coming from an Xbox One owner). Oftentimes, a series will begin its lifespan as an exclusive but will then migrate to other platforms, as what happened with the Mass Effect trilogy.Then again, this is the second announcement this year of likes, with the previously multiplatform action game Bayonetta releasing it’s sequel exclusively on the WiiU .
In the spirit of Captain Obvious being Captain Obvious, this is going to cause a shitstorm over the next few days. Reactions and commentaries are already flooding Twitter:

Though the reactions are mixed, the majority are pissed at this announcement and it is totally understandable. Though there’s still a chance it may be a timed-exclusive, those who have played the original and the Definitive Edition on other platforms feel slighted at being denied the awesome-looking sequel.

Update:

Oh the gaming industry. You tricksy bugger. I guess using the term “exclusive” doesn’t actually mean exclusive anymore; it’s just more of a linguistic ruse crafted to mess with people and, in this case, push more console sales.

Microsoft’s Phil Spencer confirmed to Eurogamer that while Crystal Dynamics’ Rise of the Tomb Raider will be released exclusively across Xbox platforms during the Holidays 2015, it is simply a matter of timed-exclusivity:

“…the deal has a duration. I didn’t buy it. I don’t own the franchise” – Phil Spencer.

There was no denial or confirmation to which platforms the sequel will be subsequently released, nor a comment on the duration period of Microsoft’s and Square Enix’s deal, but gamers can breathe easy now that they’ll be able to step back into Lara Croft’s shoes without having to own an Xbox 360 or Xbox One.

After all the outrage sparked by the announcement yesterday, I guess there’s no such thing as bad press, right? Right?!

What do you guys think? Sound off in the comments section and let us know!