An update to the Steam store page for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis has revealed that developers Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog have used generative AI to make the game. In the AI Generated Content Disclosure section of the store page, the studio has noted that AI-assisted tools were used for “early exploration” and “temporary development” content. The studios have also written an assurance that any assets that were used during these early periods of development have since been replaced or refined by human artists.
“AI-assisted tools were used during development to support some early exploration and temporary development content,” wrote the developers. “Any AI-assisted assets were either replaced or refined by humans in order to maintain the creative and artistic vision of the development team.”
As for exactly what kind of content was generated using AI during development, details are currently unknown. The wording implies that the use of AI tools was largely relegated to the earlier parts of development, when the teams were likely going through rapid prototyping to figure out things like level layouts.
The response to this disclosure has been quite mixed. While there are plenty of posts on the Tomb Raider subreddit thread discussing the use of generative AI in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, others have noted that the fact that these tools were only used in early parts of development seems reasonable. Along with this, some have also posited that using generative AI was likely “mandated by suits” rather than an actual choice by the developers themselves.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is being developed for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. While originally slated for 2026 release window, Crystal Dynamics confirmed today that the title has in fact been pushed back to February 10th, 2027. While the studio didn’t elaborate on this decision too much, it might have been delayed in order to avoid the splash zone of Grand Theft Auto 6’s November 19th release on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The new release date announcement was made with a new trailer showcasing some gameplay, blending combat and traversal. Starting off in the snowy mountains of Peru, the trailer showcased Lara taking on an enemy before then partaking in some platforming sections. Eventually, she finds a tomb, which she has to explore carefully since there are plenty of environmental hazards and traps. The trailer wraps things up with an intense chase sequence, with a T-Rex chasing down Lara, before giving us a look at how she can make use of her grapples to escape a collapsing structure.
Head of studio Scott Amos and game director Will Kerslake had previously spoken about how Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will be love letter to fans of the original Tomb Raider.
“Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is a love letter by fans, all of us, for fans,” he said. “Looking at the opportunity we had with this, we knew the 30th anniversary was coming up and wanted to do something special to both celebrate that moment, but still pay an honor to all of Core Design’s original DNA and intent from this amazing title that launched the franchise. That is literally the debut title that’s set up for what we’re doing now, 30 years later, as part of Tomb Raider.”