In a surprising turn of events, Amazon has confirmed that its highly anticipated Tomb Raider collaboration with Crystal Dynamics continues to move forward despite the company's recent massive layoffs. According to internal communications obtained by various sources, the project remains in active development, offering hope to fans of the iconic franchise.

The gaming industry witnessed significant upheaval on October 28 when Amazon announced it would be eliminating over 14,000 positions across the company as part of a broader initiative to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic overhead. The gaming division felt particularly severe impacts, with substantial staff reductions at both the Irvine and San Diego studios. These cuts resulted in the unfortunate decision to cease additional content development for New World: Aeternum, though Amazon has committed to maintaining server operations through 2026 with a promised six-month notification period before any potential shutdown.

While Amazon Games undergoes a strategic realignment toward Amazon Luna and other emerging projects, the partnership with Crystal Dynamics appears to remain a priority. An internal memo circulated by Amazon executive Steve Boom explicitly mentioned ongoing collaborations with third-party developers, specifically highlighting the continued work with Crystal Dynamics on the next Tomb Raider installment. The communication also confirmed that other projects, including an untitled open-world driving simulator with Maverick Games and March of Giants from the Montreal studio, would proceed as planned.

Currently available information about the upcoming Tomb Raider game confirms it will utilize Unreal Engine 5 technology and maintain the franchise's signature single-player adventure format. Interestingly, Lara Croft's character design will represent a fusion of elements from both the recent Survivor trilogy and her classic appearance, featuring the iconic light blue tank top, brown cargo shorts, backpack, and dual pistols that defined her original look. This hybrid design has already appeared in crossover appearances with other gaming titles, including Dead By Daylight and Magic: The Gathering.

The confirmation of Tomb Raider's continued development arrives during a challenging period for Crystal Dynamics as well. The studio conducted its second round of workforce reductions in late August 2025, following the cancellation of Perfect Dark in the wake of Microsoft's summer layoffs. These simultaneous organizational changes at both Amazon and Crystal Dynamics create an uncertain landscape for the future of the Tomb Raider franchise, leaving industry observers and fans alike wondering how these developments will ultimately shape Lara Croft's next adventure.