In a recent press release, publishing giant Square Enix announced the creation of a new London-based studio that will be focusing on delivering high-quality, free-to-play games for mobile devices. The press release also mentioned details about what games the studio is going to be focusing on in the near future- the already-announced Tomb Raider Reloaded as well as a new game based on Avatar: The Last Airbender.
“At Square Enix London Mobile, our goal is to move the world through play and in order to do this, we need to grow our team with even more unique voices, varieties of perspectives and creative energy,” said Ed Perkins, Studio Head at Square Enix London Mobile “We have great games in development, access to Square Enix-owned IP and relationships with the world’s top entertainment companies, but our people will be the competitive advantage that fuels our success now and in the future.”
Tomb Raider Reloaded will be releasing in 2022 for mobile platforms, while the game based on Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is still in the early phases of conceptualization. Tomb Raider Reloaded is, of course, being developed in partnership with Crystal Dynamics, the studio behind the series’ console entries. Meanwhile, Vancouver-based Navigator Games will be providing assistance on the Avatar game.
“It has been an incredible privilege to partner with Square Enix London Mobile on the creation of a game with such an iconic IP,” said Navigator Games CEO Will Moore. “The Avatar: The Last Airbender universe has so many layers and complex storylines to explore and we look forward to fully unveiling it and sharing it with all the incredibly passionate and loyal Avatar fans in the future.”
Tomb Raider previously has had outings on mobile platforms, with games such as Lara Croft: Relic Run – an endless runner that’s also free-to-play. The franchise has been silent as of late, with Shadow of the Tomb Raider being the last entry in the franchise, having released in 2018.
