Perhaps every fan knows by now that Rise of the Tomb Raider will have a timed exclusivity for Xbox consoles. Of course, the news devastated PlayStation users since the game's first instalment, Tomb Raider, was available for both platforms. However, head of Microsoft's Xbox division Phil Spencer hinted that Rise of the Tomb Raider could make its way to other platforms once the contract expires.
Microsoft and Square Enix announced during the Gamescom press conference that Rise of the Tomb Raider would launch this Holiday season exclusively for Xbox One and Xbox 360. Phil Spencer won't speak for Square Enix, but he did imply that Square Enix is free to do whatever they want with the game once the exclusivity expires.
"When people want me to say, can you tell us when or if it's coming to other platforms, it's not my job," Spencer said. "My job is not to talk about games I don't own. I have a certain relationship on this version of Tomb Raider, which we announced, and I feel really good about our long term relationship with Crystal and Square."
"I don't own them building Tomb Raider on other platforms. I can't talk about the franchise that way," Spencer added.
Phil Spencer then proceeded to talk about the exclusivity deal which, of course, has a time limit. He explained that Microsoft didn't buy the game or the franchise so the contract would eventually expire. Spencer didn't reveal the duration of the contract though, or how much they paid for the game. But he did confirm that they have no control over what Square Enix decides to do after the contract, to bring it to other platforms or not.
"What they do with the franchise in the long run is not mine. I don't control it. I don't know where else Tomb Raider goes."
Rise of the Tomb Raider will be coming this Holiday season of 2015 to Xbox One and Xbox 360. As to other platforms, only Square Enix can decide if they will bring the game to other consoles like PS4, PS3, and PC.
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