| Tomb Raider | |
|---|---|
 The Tomb Raider logo from 2022 onwards | |
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
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| First release | Tomb Raider 25 October 1996 |
| Latest release | Tomb Raider I–III Remastered 14 February 2024 |
Tomb Raider, known as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider from 2001 to 2008, is a media franchise that originated with an action-adventure video game series created by British video game developer Core Design. The franchise is currently owned by CDE Entertainment; it was formerly owned by Eidos Interactive, then by Square Enix Europe after Square Enix's acquisition of Eidos in 2009 until Embracer Group purchased the intellectual property alongside Eidos in 2022. The franchise focuses on the fictional British archaeologist Lara Croft, who travels around the world searching for lost artefacts and infiltrating dangerous tombs and ruins. Gameplay generally focuses on exploration, solving puzzles, navigating hostile environments filled with traps, and fighting enemies. Additional media has been developed for the franchise in the form of film adaptations, comics and novels.
Development of the first Tomb Raider began in 1994; it was released two years later. Its critical and commercial success prompted Core Design to develop a new game annually for the next four years, which put a strain on staff. The sixth game, Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, faced difficulties during development and was considered a failure at release. This prompted Eidos to switch development duties to Crystal Dynamics, which has been the series' primary developer since. Other developers have contributed to spin-off titles and ports of mainline entries.
Tomb Raider games have sold over 100 million copies worldwide by 2024.[1] while the entire franchise generated close to $1.2 billion in revenue by 2002.[2] The series has received generally positive reviews from critics, and Lara Croft has become one of the most recognisable video game protagonists, winning accolades and earning places on the Walk of Game and Guinness World Records.
- ^ "Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered Reveal, 100 Million Games Sold & More!". Tomb Raider. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ Pham, Alex (20 May 2002). "Deal Seals Star's Power". Los Angeles Times. p. 22. Retrieved 31 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.