Hold onto your hats, adventure seekers! Tomb Raider is making a grand appearance at The Game Awards this week, but here’s the twist: no one’s quite sure whether we’ll be treated to a sneak peek of the highly anticipated game, the live-action TV series, or—dare we dream?—both! And this is the part most people miss: the journey to this moment has been anything but smooth. Let’s dive into the thrilling (and occasionally rocky) road that’s led us here.
The announcement comes straight from the horse’s mouth—or rather, tweets from The Game Awards creator Geoff Keighley and the official Tomb Raider account. Keighley teased, ‘Tune in Thursday night for a glimpse into the future of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this.’ But what exactly are we in for? Let’s break it down.
The Game: A Long-Awaited Reveal?
The most likely contender is the new Tomb Raider game that’s been in development at Crystal Dynamics for years. First announced in 2022, this title has remained shrouded in mystery, with only a Lara Croft redesign revealed last year. But here’s where it gets controversial: Crystal Dynamics has faced significant challenges, including multiple ownership changes and three waves of layoffs this year alone. Add Amazon’s publishing struggles—from the troubled New World MMO to mass layoffs—and you’ve got a recipe for uncertainty. Amazon promised a reveal ‘not too far away’ over a year ago, but what does that even mean? Could this finally be the moment we’ve been waiting for?
The Show: A Bold Reinvention?
On the TV front, Amazon’s live-action Tomb Raider series has been in the works since 2023, with Sophie Turner set to star as Lara Croft. The show promises to ‘reinvent the franchise on a massive scale,’ blending live-action and video games into a unified storytelling universe. Sounds ambitious, right? But it’s been a rollercoaster ride. Reports of the show being ‘dead’ surfaced earlier this year, citing Turner’s busy schedule and leadership changes at Amazon. Yet, in September, Amazon re-confirmed the series, with filming set to begin in 2026. So, could we get our first look at Turner in action this week?
But Here’s the Real Question: Why Not Both?
Given the vagueness of Keighley’s and Tomb Raider’s tweets, it’s entirely possible we’ll get a double dose of excitement. After all, the game is closer to reveal, but a sneak peek at Turner as Lara Croft would be a showstopper. In the meantime, we’ve got the anime to tide us over—though, let’s be honest, the first season didn’t exactly blow us away.
What’s Next?
The Game Awards kick off on Thursday, December 11, at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET. Whether you’re team game, team show, or team ‘give-me-all-the-Tomb-Raider,’ this is one event you won’t want to miss. And hey, while you’re here, let’s spark some debate: Which are you more excited for—the game or the show? Or do you think both will steal the spotlight? Sound off in the comments below!
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a scoop? Drop her a line at rvalentine@ign.com.
