Tomb Raider sales broke even by the end of 2013

[Dohc-WP]

Though publisher Square Enix originally lamented its lower-than-expected post-launch sales figures, Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider earned back its development costs by the end of 2013, executive producer Scot Amos told Eurogamer this week.

"By the end of last year - Tomb Raider is in the black," Amos said. "We've crossed the line of profitability for the last-gen and PC versions."

Despite its record-setting first-week performance and sales that topped 4 million units worldwide in the months following its launch, Tomb Raider was characterized by Square Enix as a financial disappointment. The publisher cited "weak" sales for Tomb Raider and other published games as factors driving its financial losses for the 2013 fiscal year.

An upgraded reissue of Tomb Raider for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 titled Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is due for release on January 28.

Sources: Joystiq via Eurogamer

 

[blaaislaai]

Not surprised, this game exceeded expectations on all platforms.

 

[brendanvb]

I'm glad it did well. I can't wait to see what they do for the sequel. I hope we don't have to wait another 5 years for it though.

 

[Orion]

I think the main reason why the sales in the first week was that high was because this series has loyal fans, so they all pre-ordered the game or just bought it in the first week. Most people thought of this one like the rest, with solving puzzles that some people find ir difficult to do ,to complete the amazing story.
One does not wake up one morning wanting to buy a Tomb Raider, you should prepare your mind and yourself to be amazed.

All I have to say is that they can take my money again if they give us such an amazing game again.
Thank you

 

[Dohc-WP]

I think the main reason why the sales in the first week was that high was because this series has loyal fans, so they all pre-ordered the game or just bought it in the first week. Most people thought of this one like the rest, with solving puzzles that some people find ir difficult to do ,to complete the amazing story.
One does not wake up one morning wanting to buy a Tomb Raider, you should prepare your mind and yourself to be amazed.

All I have to say is that they can take my money again if they give us such an amazing game again.

Thank you

The reason why the sales where high was definately not because of nostalgia, the previews up to the release of the game looked amazing, when the game was announced it looked like a next gen game, im still amazed at how the ps3 and 360 can run the game so brilliantly and the game definately lived up to the hype.

 

[Stunt]

An upgraded reissue of Tomb Raider for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 titled Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is due for release on January 28.

I find this to be their smartest move. Mostly everyone I know who played it on last-gen want to get this just to enjoy the new look on Next-Gen. It's remarkable, because of the low cost it must have just to make it look prettier (Since the PC meshes, code etc. is already there) and they'll be making a killing off it.

 

[XbatousaiX]

Quite alarming that it took so long to reach a profit I feel the industry needs to do something about these massive game budgets.

 

[Vapor-X]

Quite alarming that it took so long to reach a profit I feel the industry needs to do something about these massive game budgets.

The most expensive game ver made was Gta v with a whopping $115 million to develope, they have all ready sold over 150 million units.
I think for a developer its worth the risk to create such expensive games, with a budget on game it could not reach the full potential,

So if you risk right you get the profit, but if not you loose money, I am surprise that tomb raider made this little profit after such a huge number of sales and great reviews.

 

[brendanvb]

Yeah with each new generation the development costs skyrocket. This is also why so few developers attempt to innovate anymore. I loved Tomb Raider but there's no denying it was mostly a bunch of successful aspects from different successful franchises all thrown together in one awesome title. I hope they take it up a notch with the sequel.

 

[Solitude]

I just loved the latest Tomb Raider and I'm really surprised that it didn't sell better. I look forward to the sequel.

The weird thing is that I've got quite a few gamer friends and none of them have played Tomb Raider. They aren't even interested. I think it has a lot to do with all the previous Tomb Raider games and people just expecting more of the same.

 

[XbatousaiX]

The most expensive game ver made was Gta v with a whopping $115 million to develope, they have all ready sold over 150 million units.
I think for a developer its worth the risk to create such expensive games, with a budget on game it could not reach the full potential,

So if you risk right you get the profit, but if not you loose money, I am surprise that tomb raider made this little profit after such a huge number of sales and great reviews.

I sort of agree with you on the whole risk reward thing but gta is an iconic game, look what happened to Kindom's of Amalure it was a quality game but needed 5 million sales to break even and guess what they went bankrupt.I feel that is why we get so many sequels and not new Ip there is great risk involved.

 

[Vapor-X]

Do any of you know whether there will be a new movie or even better a sequel, I heard rumours of a new movie but have never read something official.

 

[brendanvb]

Do any of you know whether there will be a new movie or even better a sequel, I heard rumours of a new movie but have never read something official.

They have confirmed the sequel is in development, and there's a comic or 2 coming out soon which supposedly bridges the gap between the 2 games. Last news on the new film (which I feel like isn't ever going to happen) was this I believe:

MGM is moving closer in getting its “ Tomb Raider ” off the ground, bringing in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer ” alum Marti Noxon to pen the script. Story is still being worked out but will likely follow archaeologist Lara Croft as she sets off on one of her international adventures. Graham King is developing the film and will produce through his GK Films banner.

http://variety.com/2013/film/news/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-marti-noxon-tomb-raider-mgm-1200496236/#

 

[Grievous]

I just loved the latest Tomb Raider and I'm really surprised that it didn't sell better. I look forward to the sequel.

They damaged the series with releasing to many crap versions. I've had hard time convincing friends that its actually a damn good game.

 

[MetalSoup]

The most expensive game ver made was Gta v with a whopping $115 million to develope, they have all ready sold over 150 million units.

Do you have source for that number? As far as I can tell that's how many units they've sold of the entire GTA franchise.

 

[Stunt]

Uhm, GTA 5 cost $256 Million to develop and market.

And they earned $1 Billion in just 3 days. Having sold 29 Million copies by November 2013.

150 Million copies is a lot.

 

[riccochet]

Still doesnt change the fact that the game was over hyped and did not live up to expectations... well in my opinion at least.

 

[Snare]

Still doesnt change the fact that the game was over hyped and did not live up to expectations... well in my opinion at least.

I would have to disagree good sir. I believe the level of hype for the game was appropriate for the product that was delivered. Yes there were a few boggling decisions undertook in the course of the game however for the most part it was a fantastic game

 

[brendanvb]

I would have to disagree good sir. I believe the level of hype for the game was appropriate for the product that was delivered. Yes there were a few boggling decisions undertook in the course of the game however for the most part it was a fantastic game

Agreed. I don't know what more they could've done really. It had like everything. You could almost live life in the game

 

[Grievous]

Agreed. I don't know what more they could've done really. It had like everything. You could almost live life in the game

Before I make a comment I want to say I thought it was an amazing game. The only think I would have preferred is a bit more open world aspect to it. The way they described it before release sounded like you would explore and find tools to be able to get to new areas on the island, in the end you got to the tools buy following a linear SP story. I would have enjoyed opening up the island and exploring it even if you hadn't played the SP if you chose to. With that said, each area was really well crafted and had a unique look.