Video game developer Crystal Dynamics announced that their upcoming title Tomb Raider reached alpha stage. That means most of the content is now in place and all the game mechanics are well defined, allowing the developers to play the game, even if the experience is somewhat rough in places.
Kyle Peschel, the senior producer working on Tomb Raider, stated during an official podcast from the company that he expected to see the alpha stage last for about two months, after which the game might get a beta stage for the same period.
The developer did not say whether the beta would be closed, with the developers only including a limited number of players experienced with the franchise, or open, allowing a bigger chunk of the fan base to get involved and offer feedback on the game experience.
If the two stages go as planned, Tomb Raider should go gold and be ready to launch in late May or in early June. But the final decision about the launch date will be made by the publisher Square Enix.
Given that the game reboots the entire Tomb Raider franchise and that the last few installment were somewhat of a disappointment, the publisher and developer will probably try and launch the game during a month when there’s no strong competition, suggesting July or August as good possibilities.
The rebooted Tomb Raider will be launched simultaneously all over the world and will be playable on the Xbox 360 from Microsoft, the PlayStation 3 from Sony and the PC.
The game will feature a more vulnerable Lara Croft, out on her very first adventure and in over her head.
Players will have less freedom of movement than in previous games, and they will need to be much more careful when navigating the hostile environment.
Among listings for a technical producer and a senior level designer at Crystal Dynamics on the forthcoming Tomb Raider reboot, two positions popped up that we didn't expect to see: "multiplayer producer" and "senior multiplayer game designer." Though no multiplayer of any kind has been announced for the upcoming TR game, the listings go a long way in confirming it -- the job descriptions explicitly say "Come and work on the new Tomb Raider," for instance. It wouldn't be the first time a game starring Ms. Croft contained multiplayer functionality, as this year's Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light featured co-op play.
Crystal Dynamics is hoping to fill the multiplayer producer position with an individual who has "demonstrable project management experience," and can "take on a major production role in the multi-player part of an upcoming action adventure title." The senior multiplayer game designer position listing notes some potential info about what the game's multiplayer might have, cursorily detailing it as both co-op and "player vs. player." The latter position will also be "responsible for the overall multiplayer design vision for the game," so, uh, good luck with that, potential employees! A Crystal Dynamics representative gave us an official "No comment," but wouldn't say anything else regarding the listings.
[Original image: GameInformer.com]
