The length of Microsoft’s timed exclusivity on the sequel to 2013’s hit Tomb Raider reboot, Rise of the Tomb Raider, has been revealed today in an announcement by Square Enix where they revealed the release periods for the sequel on platforms beyond Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles.
Rise of the Tomb Raider will be coming to Windows 10 and Steam in early 2016 and will make its way to PlayStation 4 in Holiday 2016. These dates confirm that the game will have about an entire year of exclusivity on Microsoft’s video game consoles after its Xbox One and Xbox 360 November 10th 2015 launch and a few months of exclusivity before it arrives on PC.
When Rise of the Tomb Raider was first announced by Microsoft, it was labeled as an “exclusive” title. This shocked many in the industry who saw this deal as a major win for Microsoft’s new Xbox One console which was being outsold by Sony’s PlayStation 4 at the time. When pressed for more information after the reveal though, Microsoft’s Phil Spencer admitted that it was actually a “timed exclusive” for their consoles and that it would probably appear on other platforms at some unknown time in the future.
With an entire year between the game’s launch on Xbox One and Xbox 360 and its arrival on the PlayStation 4, Microsoft is still at an advantage even if their exclusivity deal is limited. Owners of both companies’ consoles will likely purchase Rise of the Tomb Raider on Microsoft’s Xbox One instead of waiting a whole year for it to come to Sony’s PlayStation 4 and those gamers who currently own just a PlayStation 4 are bound to be tempted to pick up an Xbox One during the 12 months or so the popular game will be out on that console. Of course there will be the Windows 10 and Steam versions in early 2016 but PC gamers usually prefer to stick to PC and that release shouldn’t affect the console versions’ sales too much.
It’s unclear how the Xbox One and Windows 10 versions of Rise of the Tomb Raider will work together or if they will share any cross-functionality at all. Make sure to check back soon for more information on the Tomb Raider sequel as it’s revealed.
Are you planning on buying Rise of the Tomb Raider? Which platform will you be getting it on? Let us know in the comments below.
Further reading: Microsoft, Ride of the Tomb Raider, Steam, Tomb Raider, Video Games, Windows 10, Xbox One, Xbox One Games
