If you missed the big reveal, during Microsoft’s pre-Gamescom media briefing, Rise of the Tomb Raider was shown off and revealed as an Xbox exclusive. This understandably sent the Internet into a full uproar, as disgruntled fans fumed online about the deal between Microsoft and Square Enix. In an effort to defuse the situation, Microsoft later confirmed that Rise of the Tomb Raider is just a timed exclusive for Xbox 360 and Xbox One, meaning it will come to other platforms eventually.
Because the Internet rarely forgives and never forgets, many fans are still upset. At the time of this writing, nearly 12,000 have signed a petition for the arrangement to be rescinded.
This is just all around bad news. It’s bad for Microsoft, which really can’t take more any more bad press, especially now that the Kinect is all but dead and sales of the Xbox One are trailing the PS4 by a wide margin. It’s also bad for Square Enix, which has only recently found success with the Crystal Dynamics developed reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise.
We still don’t know how long this timed exclusive will last. Tomb Raider is a hot property right now, so I imagine the deal was arranged so Microsoft could tout Rise of the Tomb Raider as a holiday exclusive. My guess is the deal will end in early 2016 — or, at least that’s what I hope.
Rise of the Tomb Raider releases in late 2015.
