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🎮 Multi-platformFable Reboot Delay Was Disappointing To The Devs, But Avoiding GTA 6 Makes Sense
The Fable reboot from Playground Games was planned for release this year, but Microsoft delayed it to February 2027, and the reason for the delay was to give the game the attention it deserves. That's according to Playground GM Ralph Fulton, who told GamesRadar(https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/fable-delay-was-a-disappointment-playground-boss-says-but-avoiding-gta-6-can-give-the-rpg-the-attention-this-game-deserves) that there was "a little bit of disappointment" when the game was delayed because the studio was "gunning" for a 2026 release. The developers got "really focused" on hitting the 2026 release. However, now that the developers have had time to "digest," they can "absolutely see the benefits" of the delay, Fulton said. One of those benefits? Not having to compete with GTA 6. "First of all, moving out of that really congested period towards the end of this year, obviously avoiding Grand Theft Auto. And honestly, the thing I love about it now, and the thing I've tried to sell the team on, is going in February, having a much less contested window allows us the opportunity to go out and really make a moment for ourselves, and I think the attention this game deserves," he said. People are expecting GTA 6 to "blot out the sun,"(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-has-been-very-hard-to-avoid-and-will-blot-out-the-sun-for-the-industry-helldivers-2-dev-says/1100-6536279/) and because of that, the game doesn't have much competition in November. It doesn't have no competition, though, as Godzilla and Barbie aren't afraid of launching near GTA 6(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-gets-its-barbenheimer-as-barbie-compilation-sets-a-november-release/). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0z3ThIb-3w Fable is now releasing on February 23(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fable-release-date-announced-with-a-look-at-new-and-old-villains/), but people who pay extra can start playing on February 18. More details about the game were divulged at Summer Game Fest, including how Hayley Atwell will play the villain(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-game-showcase-2026-all-the-biggest-announcements-so-far/). The game will be available on Xbox Game Pass day one. Eidos Montreal is co-developing the new Fable(https://x.com/EidosMontreal/status/1799870163191304253) alongside Playground.
🖥 PC, Multi-platformThe Number Of Steam Next Fest Demos This Month Is Too Damn High
As Not-E3 season starts to wind down and everyone's wishlist starts to look crowded with games scheduled for September and October, the next big event on the calendar is Steam Next Fest. The second of three planned week-long demo showcases for 2026, Next Fest is positioned to provide an early taste of upcoming games across a wide variety of genres. The demo showcase has grown in the years since it was first introduced, and the June 2026 edition has ballooned to a truly ridiculous size, with 4,931 demos being featured at the time of writing. Normally, having too many free game demos to play is a great problem to have, but with Next Fest, the sheer number of participating games(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/steam-next-fest-february-2026-30-of-the-best-demos-you-can-download-right-now/2900-7515/) feels like overkill. It's worth noting that the original goal of Next Fest was for each demo to only be available to play for the week of the event, but it's not unusual to see these early slices of game remain in place long after the Steam event wraps up. It's also not unusual for these demos to go live before Next Fest even begins, and plenty of these demos have also been around for a while before they got a quick rebranding. https://bsky.app/profile/kriswbennett.co.uk/post/3mnzbtpjlok2u Prepare for some choice paralysis, because the only way to experience everything that Next Fest has to offer would be to forego sleep for a week and work out a way to complete a game demo once every 122 seconds. Or if you really like what you're sampling off of Steam, you can just replay the same demo for as long as it's live--or wonder if certain game demos(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/steam-next-fest-most-played-demos-raises-a-bit-of-an-eyebrow/1100-6538529/) should even be eligible. Beyond Next Fest, several more Steam events have been dated(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/when-is-the-next-steam-sale-date/1100-6532422/) for June and beyond. The Steam Summer Sale kicks off on June 25 and runs through July 9. Choo-choo fans can check out Train Fest starting July 20, and Cyberpunk Fest is shining a spotlight on neon-soaked sci-fi games. Later in the year, the Steam Autumn Sale will run for one week starting October 1, and the Steam Winter Sale is scheduled to start on December 17.
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformXbox Doubles Down On Gears Of War: E-Day Exclusivity, Saying It Was Never Discussed For PS5 Despite Evidence Pointing To Otherwise
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/06/07/ca5a7b7e/gow%20eday%20new%20header.jpg.webp) Ahead of the 2026 Summer Xbox Games Showcase(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/heres-everything-announced-during-the-2026-summer-xbox-games), many assumed Gears of War: E-Day(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/gears-of-war-e-day) would also be coming to PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC – prior messaging pointed toward such a release, as did the release of Gears of War: Reloaded on PS5(https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/05/05/gears-of-war-makes-its-playstation-debut-this-summer). But, during the showcase, Xbox revealed that Gears of War: E-Day would be an Xbox console exclusive(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/gears-of-war-e-day-launches-as-a-console-exclusive-on-xbox-series-xs), launching on Xbox Series X/S and PC on October 6. In the days since that announcement, a lot of confusion has arisen from the decision. The Verge reporter Tom Warren(https://x.com/tomwarren/status/2064093791481389069?s=20) and Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI&leadSource=uverify%20wall)have reported that sources tell them Gears of War: E-Day was, in fact, going to come to PS5, but in a somewhat last-minute decision (the timing of which has been the subject of great debate), Xbox CEO Asha Sharma(https://gameinformer.com/2026/06/11/report-xbox-preparing-for-significant-layoffs-as-new-ceo-asha-sharma-details-xbox-0) decided to make the game an Xbox console exclusive. Vice president of Xbox games marketing Aaron Greenberg responded to Warren on X(https://x.com/aarongreenberg/status/2064109955117158455?s=20), stating, "Hey Tom, I can confirm this the last-minute decision is not true. We just limited the knowledge of this news to a very small internal group. Intention was to share this news first with our players and everyone watching showcase." In that same X discussion, Warren references an official Xbox podcast with the Gears of War: E-Day key art and the PS5 logo visible at the bottom, suggesting it was perhaps set to launch on the competitor platform, as noted by Eurogamer(https://www.eurogamer.net/gears-of-war-e-day-video-taken-down-ps5-logo-exclusive). You can see it in the image from Warren below: !Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/06/11/8024d83b/xboxpodcast.jpg.webp) There's also the PEGI rating for Gears of War: E-Day on PS5 that went live before the showcase, as caught by Eurogamer(https://www.eurogamer.net/gears-of-war-e-day-release-platform-skipping-ps5-rumour) (though the PEGI ratings board(https://pegi.info/search-pegi?q=e-day&op=Search&age%5B%5D=&descriptor%5B%5D=&publisher=&platform%5B%5D=&releaseyear%5B%5D=&page=1&formbuildid=form-vAEgGTaBhclyr2g6hD7YYSop1rW39ws6Z3DurDjB2Ho&formid=pegisearchform) has since updated it to reflect just Xbox Series X/S and PC), as well as a Walmart listing for a PS5 version of the game, as reported by IGN(https://www.ign.com/articles/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-placeholder-listing-appears-online-as-xbox-games-showcase-looms). Of course, PEGI and Walmart are not part of Xbox, so these listings could have just been mistakes or guesses. In a new interview with Eurogamer(https://www.eurogamer.net/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-snub-smaller-audience-interview), however, studio heads at Gears of War: E-Day developer The Coalition(https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2026/06/10/more-insight-into-the-coalitions-hopeful-return-to-form) indicate that the team never publicly discussed releasing the game on PlayStation 5. "We never talked about it going to PS5," studio creative director Matt Searcy told the publication. Studio brand director Nicole Fawcette added, "It was never changed." Searcy continued, "I would say that Gears as an exclusive makes a ton of sense. It's kind of an honor, and exciting, to be one of the Xbox flagship titles." So today, it's a bit of he-said, she-said. Some evidence points to a PS5 version of the game, including Giant Bomb president and co-owner Jeff Grubb saying on Bluesky(https://bsky.app/profile/grubb.wtf/post/3mnps3tzbes2b), "So yeah, there's a basically finished version of Gears for PlayStation sitting on a drive." But official Xbox messaging indicates otherwise. Nonetheless, Gears of War: E-Day will launch as an Xbox console exclusive on Xbox Series X/S and PC on October 6(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/gears-of-war-e-day-launches-as-a-console-exclusive-on-xbox-series-xs). Sources: Eurogamer(https://www.eurogamer.net/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-snub-smaller-audience-interview), IGN(https://www.ign.com/articles/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-placeholder-listing-appears-online-as-xbox-games-showcase-looms), The Verge(https://x.com/tomwarren/status/2064093791481389069?s=20), Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI&leadSource=uverify%20wall), Giant Bomb(https://bsky.app/profile/grubb.wtf/post/3mnps3tzbes2b) Where are you playing Gears of War: E-Day on launch day? Let us know in the comments below!
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformReport: Xbox Preparing For Significant Layoffs As New CEO Asha Sharma Details 'Xbox Reset'
!Microsoft Gaming Xbox Series X/S CEO Asha Sharma Layoffs(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/06/11/b14c2ec5/Xbox%20New%20Logo.jpg.webp) Microsoft has laid off thousands of workers over the past few years(https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/07/02/microsoft-lays-off-thousands-of-employees-cancels-perfect-dark-everwild-and-more-xbox) to correct its financial spreadsheets, but "significant layoffs" are on the way for Xbox as part of new CEO Asha Sharma's "Xbox Reset," according to a new report from Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI&leadSource=uverify%20wall). In a new Xbox Wire blog post(https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/10/next-100-days-xbox-reset/) that is a copy-paste of an email sent to Xbox employees globally, Sharma and Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty(https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2026/06/10/xboxs-matt-booty-talks-bringing-back-exclusivity-lessons-learned-and-the) discuss problems facing Xbox's future and plans to course-correct. Though she doesn't mention layoffs, the messaging in this joint post seems to signal the layoffs Bloomberg reports are incoming, according to its sources within the company. Bloomberg reports that, though the exact scale of the layoffs is unclear, they are expected to occur after the close of Microsoft's fiscal year on June 30, alongside significantly slashed budgets for marketing and other areas of the Xbox business. Sharma and Booty say the company will end its fiscal year "at about a 3% accountability margin, down year-over-year," with an annual revenue decline of nearly half a billion during that time alongside a $20 billion spend in ongoing investments in "content, platform, and hardware subsidy," excluding Activision Blizzard King. Critically, a 3% accountability margin means that for every $100 Xbox makes, it keeps $3 as profit, as noted by Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier over on Bluesky(https://bsky.app/profile/jasonschreier.bsky.social/post/3mny4t2sw422x). Sharma and Booty's email reads, "Going forward, this cannot continue." In that same email-now-Xbox-Wire-blog-post, Sharma and Booty indicate that Xbox overextended itself during its acquisition spree this generation, potentially hinting at studio closures to course-correct. "We expanded our studio system when we needed a pipeline of content to meet multiple strategies across subscription, streaming, and devices editor's note: Xbox has made clear it is pivoting away from recent "This is an Xbox" marking to return to exclusivity and a focus on Xbox-developed hardware," it reads. "In the process, we have found ourselves overextended as we executed on changing strategies in a landscape of more readily available content. We are the fortunate stewards of industry-defining franchises that have enormous potential and player demand, but we have not adequately funded them to compete and win. At the same time, as we saw this past weekend at the 2026 Summer Xbox Games Showcase(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/heres-everything-announced-during-the-2026-summer-xbox-games), a reliable pipeline of first-and third-party exclusives and new IP is critical to our success. We need to reassess the balance between these and our investment priorities for the next 5 years." The Verge(https://www.theverge.com/games/948142/microsoft-xbox-layoffs-reset-asha-sharma)reports that its sources suggest the planned layoffs and budget slashes could include a studio closure. Elsewhere in the post, Sharma and Booty write about the cost of console storage components, which has risen to five times their cost two years ago, and how Xbox needs a new business model and partnerships for hardware, "as we remain committed to Project Helix(https://www.gameinformer.com/2026/03/12/xbox-shares-new-hardware-details-for-next-generation-console-project-helix)." The two also write that Xbox's current platform infrastructure "is not built for the battle ahead," with systems too complex and reliant on vendor dependencies to be as efficient as they feel the company needs to be. !Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/03/05/df6eb24e/project-helix-logo.jpg.webp) "Now we start the next 100 days. It is important to have both optimism and realism as we work to reset the business," the blog post reads. In its final paragraphs, Sharma and Booty write, "For some of you, these realities will be surprising and even frustrating to discover. We won't succeed by hiding hard truths, nor will we succeed by doing the same thing and expecting results. Like the 'everyday wins' mentality from the first 100 days, we will sprint to make progress against hardware, content, experience, and services together." This Xbox Wire blog post comes just days after Xbox's big SGF-related showcase(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/heres-everything-announced-during-the-2026-summer-xbox-games), where it revealed that Gears of War: E-Day(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/gears-of-war-e-day-launches-as-a-console-exclusive-on-xbox-series-xs) and Clockwork Revolution will be Xbox console-exclusive(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/clockwork-revolution-coming-in-2027-as-xbox-console-exclusive) titles, alongside a new look at Fable(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/new-fable-footage-reveals-its-villain-isabel-hero-of-wraithmarsh), which will launch on PlayStation 5 as well as Xbox. We also interviewed Matt Booty at Summer Game Fest Play Days to discuss the current state of Xbox, which you can read here(https://gameinformer.com/interview/2026/06/10/xboxs-matt-booty-talks-bringing-back-exclusivity-lessons-learned-and-the). Source: Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI&leadSource=uverify%20wall), The Verge(https://www.theverge.com/games/948142/microsoft-xbox-layoffs-reset-asha-sharma)
🎮 Multi-platformContagion is suddenly the #1 movie on HBO Max, and we think we know why
Contagion is HBO Max's No. 1 movie after returning to Max on June 1, and its realism is still unsettling.
🍄 Nintendo Switch, Multi-platformThe Nintendo Switch 2 is $15 off at Woot
Woot is hosting a small, but welcome deal on the Nintendo Switch 2 through June 19th. New customers can save $15 on the $449.99 console with the code NEW15 used at checkout. Sure, these are microscopic savings, but come September, the Switch 2 will rise in price to $499.99, so any deal is worth telling &8230;
🖥 Xbox, PC, Multi-platformEpic Games Store's new free PC games include a Warhammer 40K favorite
The Epic Games Store has a selection of free PC games that changes every week. The latest free offerings will be available until June 18.
🎮 Multi-platformThe Amazing Digital Circus is coming to Fortnite
Coming off a killer weekend at the box office, viral animated series The Amazing Digital Circus is headed for Fortnite.
🎮 Multi-platformWorld Cup 2026 Sim By EA Sports Predicts An Expected Winner
The 2026 Men's World Cup begins today, June 11, and EA Sports has announced the result of its simulation for this year, predicting which team will win. This year, the simulation has Spain winning the World Cup, capturing its second World Cup victory on the men's side and first since 2010. EA's simulation has been correct for the past four Men's World Cups, previously predicting Spain (2010), Germany (2014), France (2018) and Argentina (2022). The simulation hasn't been wrong since 2006, when it picked the Czech Republic to win(https://ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2006/Czech-Republic-Wins-the-EA-SPORTS-2006-FIFA-World-CupTM----EA-SPORTS-Declares-the-Champion-as-Determined-by-2006-FIFA-World-Cup/default.aspx). That year's simulation was very wrong, as the Czech Republic didn't make it out of the group stage. https://twitter.com/EASPORTSFC/status/2063274777335214273 According to ESPN(https://www.espn.com/soccer/story//id/48965907/simulating-world-cup-did-ea-predict-winners-how-did-usmnt-get-on), this year's simulation also found that 18-year-old Lamine Yamal of Spain will be the tournament's overall top goal-scorer in his first World Cup and that the United States team will likely get eliminated in the round of 16. EA Sports no longer has the FIFA license, so you won't see any official World Cup branding in the newest game, EA Sports FC 26. Instead, the game recently got a "World's Game" update featuring a 48-team tournament mode that is legally distinct from the World Cup but is effectively the same. If you're interested in an officially licensed FIFA World Cup game, Netflix just launched a new game(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fifa-world-cup-game-coming-to-netflix-with-updates-based-on-how-the-tournament-goes/) that will be updated as the tournament unfolds.
🎮 Multi-platformStranger Than Heaven’s Combat System Makes Both Your Hands Play Separate Roles
Like a Dragon and Yakuza developer RGG Studio has built its gangland dramas around a very distinct combat core over the years, but with its upcoming game Stranger Than Heaven(https://www.gamespot.com/games/stranger-than-heaven/), the studio is introducing a brand-new way to bang knuckles. At Summer Game Fest(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/summer-game-fest-live-2026-all-the-biggest-announcements-and-games/), we got to go hands-on with the Yakuza prequel, which spans 50 years and five distinct periods in Japan's history. Yakuza and Like a Dragon games have a very arcade-inspired approach to their beat-'em-up action, but in Stranger Than Heaven, RGG Studio wants players to put more thought into every fist thrown or attack parried. How is the team doing this? By introducing a combat system where the left and right sides of the protagonists are controlled independently. For example, you'll use the right shoulder and trigger buttons to throw out attacks from the right side, and vice versa for the left side. In practice, this creates a dynamic sense of action, allowing you to chain attacks together organically, parry enemies, and stun them long enough for you to follow up with a knockout blow. https://youtu.be/hvySwE-Kiu0 You don't have to rely on just your fists, either, as weapons can also help even the odds when you find yourself outnumbered. Overall, it looks like RGG Studio is aiming to expand on its action game heritage and move players closer toward some visceral ground-and-pound violence that isn't as over the top as what you'd see in its other games. Stranger than Heaven launches on January 15(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/preorders-are-open-for-like-a-dragon-prequel-stranger-than-heaven/), 2027, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game features a star-studded cast of actors(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stranger-than-heaven-is-a-yakuza-prequel-with-a-star-studded-cast/1100-6539798/), as well as the rapper Snoop Dogg. The game even features people in its cast who have been deceased for a while, like beloved Japanese actor Bunta Sugawara and legendary rapper Tupac Shakur(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stranger-than-heaven-gets-even-stranger-with-the-addition-of-a-very-alive-tupac/). - !square-image(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/square-image404c55.jpg?w=300) Stranger Than Heaven Standard Edition $70 | Releases January 15, 2027 Preorder at Amazon(https://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Than-Heaven-Amazon-Xbox-X/dp/B0H42XZ2HQ/ref=sr12?tag=gamespot-preorders-20 "Preorder at Amazon") - !square-image (1)(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/square-image-1-3.jpg?w=300) Stranger Than Heaven Deluxe Edition $90 | Releases January 15, 2027 Preorder at Xbox(https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/stranger-than-heaven-deluxe-edition/9P1PS99H3GRJ "Preorder at Xbox") - !STH Collectors(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/STH-Collectors.jpg?w=300) Stranger Than Heaven Collector's Edition $130 | Releases January 15, 2027 Preorder at Amazon(https://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Than-Heaven-Amazon-Xbox-X/dp/B0H4362G5P/ref=sr12?tag=gamespot-preorders-20 "Preorder at Amazon")
🎮 Multi-platformHere’s How Generative AI Is Being Used In Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis
Generative AI has been a very contentious issue over the last few years in the game industry, and as more and more developers make use of the technology, it's becoming more difficult to know just what was created by a human being. Next year's Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will indeed make use of generative AI, but Crystal Dynamics wants players to know there is one area it was not used: the design of Lara Croft herself. Speaking to GameSpot at Summer Game Fest, experience director Jeff Adams clarified if generative AI was used in the creation of Lara. "No. Lara is 100% human-crafted," Adams said. This answer came shortly after our interview had initially concluded. We had already asked this question, but were initially told that team was not ready to discuss Lara's design. We were told the above in much-more-certain terms afterward. Elsewhere, it sounds like AI is going to be used for concept art and placeholder assets--how this affects the human beings who would usually do this sort of work is not entirely clear. "At Crystal Dynamics, we see AI as a tool that our teams can use to get to a right answer fast. What that might look like in practice, is, say in early-level development we have an idea for an in-game object but we're not sure if we want to task the team with building it at that time. We can use a generative AI tool to quickly visualize what that object would look like in the world. And if we're like, 'Hey, that works,' we'll then move it into ur traditional pipeline." Adams added that once the final product is built, the team makes sure all final content is human-created. But the threat of job loss is certainly hanging over the heads of Crystal Dynamics employees, as several major layoffs have hit the studio over the last few years. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis(https://www.gamespot.com/games/tomb-raider-legacy-of-atlantis/) launches for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC in 2027.
🎮 Multi-platformTomb Raider Devs Aren’t Trying To Appeal To “Either Side” Of Culture War Surrounding Lara’s Design
The new look for Lara Croft--seen in the upcoming remake Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis--has gotten the internet talking, and arguing. But according to the game's development team, it wasn't attempting to appeal to any specific audience with her design. Speaking to GameSpot at Summer Game Fest, game director Raul Siqueira and experience director Jeff Adams said the process for designing Lara was a lot more organic, and the team wasn't trying to necessarily balance her attractiveness with talent or ability. "We try not to view it from either of those angles," Adams said. "We're not trying to make one camp happy and the other camp miserable. We don't think of it that way. We're just like, 'Hey, this is Lara. This is who she is and this is the icon that we've come to know. How do we bring her into the most fully focused version that she's ever been presented in?' She's Lara. She is the icon for a reason. So we just want to do justice to her." Siqueria added that the character's personality plays a key role in her truly being Lara Croft, as well. "The confidence, the wittiness ... the personality that she has is so important for us and we're making sure that we are doing that right. That's why we all love Alix Wilton Regan(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-lara-croft-actor-reveals-how-she-busted-up-her-arm-making-the-new-game/) so much--she just nails it." Crystal Dynamics' latest Tomb Raider game, a remake of the original, comes following the Survivor trilogy, which radically reinvented the series with a grittier story, more violent gameplay, and a new look for Lara. In those games, she was played by actor Camilla Luddington. Meanwhile, a Tomb Raider series is also in the works for Prime Video, and stars Game of Thrones alumna Sophie Turner. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis releases in 2027(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tomb-raider-legacy-of-atlantis-gets-out-of-the-way-of-gta-6-with-apparent-delay-to-2027/) for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC.