Crystal Dynamics back on Tomb Raider

Earlier this year, Eidos' stagnating Tomb Raider franchise pulled a critical turnaround with the release of Tomb Raider: Legend. The first game in the series since 2003's critically disappointing Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness, Legend was also the first game in the series from Legacy of Kain developer Crystal Dynamics.

Eidos has made no secret of its desire to keep the Tomb Raider brand healthy, and the company's product acquisition director Ian Livingstone told GameSpot that part of that agenda means making the Crystal Dynamics-Lara Croft relationship more than a one-game stand. Livingstone confirmed the news while discussing the publisher's plans to mark the Croft character's 10th birthday.

"Tomb Raider 8 is also in development at Crystal Dynamics, but again, I can't say anything about that right now," Livingstone said.

Eidos parent company SCi has previously said that multiple versions of the next Tomb Raider game were in development for release in its 2008 financial year (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009). The company noted that a PlayStation 3 version was planned, but did not detail other platforms on which the game will appear.