Generative AI in video game development has become an increasingly contentious topic, more-so in recent days as various new game announcements from the past week have been found to be using the controversial tool. One such title is Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, whose Steam page noted the use of GenAI. Responding to the criticism, the studio has now claimed that “At the end, all the finished product in the final game will be human-crafted.”

Taking part in an interview with the publication Polygon, Crystal Dynamics’ ‘Experience Director’ Jeff Adams offered clarity on how GenAI was / is being used for the development of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, stating:

“At Crystal Dynamics, we see AI as a tool that can help our team get the right answers faster. In early level development, we might have the idea for an in-game object. But we might not be sure if we want to take the time to have devs build it. What we can do is use a generative AI tool to visualize it in the world. If it works, we can move it into our traditional pipeline. From there, the team can concept it and build it.”

Adams continued, “At the end, all the finished product in the final game will be human-crafted. We want to make it as easy as possible for our team to be able to make high-quality experiences. That’s what the fans deserve.”

Whether this explanation is good enough or not is for you to decide. For some, using GenAI even during the early stages of the project can have an impact on how the title is conceptualised. Even if fully replaced later on, the initial template with which they are building upon is one based on generative AI.

All that said, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is not the first game to use such tools, and it certainly won’t be the last.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of this explanation? Is it good enough for you? What’s your opinion on Generative AI in game development? Let us know down below.

Each week, the Epic Games Store gives away a title or two for free as part of the platform’s ‘free game’ program. Previously teased as an upcoming ‘Mystery Game’ all those with an EGS account can now get their hands on the iconic OG Tomb Raider trilogy in remastered form.

Available to add to your library from now until the 28th of May at 4PM UK time, this week’s free Epic Games Store offerings feature the following:

• Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft
• Down in Bermuda

The headliner for this week is of course the Tomb Raider Trilogy. Remastered by Aspyr, this collection allows you to experience the original Lara Croft trilogy with both its original graphics as well as ‘remastered’ visuals.

Alongside this, the collection includes all three game’s expansions; bonus content and a brand new challenge mode for added replayability.

Down in Bermuda meanwhile is an isometric indie puzzler in which “our adventurous aviator Milton finds himself trapped in a time bubble deep inside the Bermuda and needs your help to escape.”

Featuring 6 unique islands with different puzzles, codes and secrets, Down in Bermuda is worth checking out for fans of the genre.

As with the previous week, you have until next Thursday to claim these titles, at which point they will be replaced by two other ‘Mystery’ games.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this week’s offerings? Is the OG Tomb Raider trilogy a classic in your eyes? Let us know down below.

Following the release of Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2021, Lara Croft went on a bit of a sabbatical, giving the series time to breathe in the wake of the conclusion of her latest trilogy. During last December’s Game Awards however, Croft and co. finally returned with the announcement of two new projects – Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst. While the first of these two was initially planned to launch some time in 2026, insiders have now claimed that Legacy of Atlantis has been pushed back to early 2027.

As reported by the Tomb Raider-focused ‘Society of Raiders’ (who accurately detailed the Game Awards announcements prior to their official unveilings), the first of these two projects – Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis – “is rumored to be released in February 2027.”

This marks a shift from its officially-announced release window, with the title previously stated to be arriving some time this year.

While pitched as a mere rumour (due to their sources being kept anonymous) Society of Raiders did correctly identify the announcements of Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst prior to their official announcements, and so this latest claim does carry some weight.

For the uninitiated, Legacy of Atlantis is said to be a full-blown remake of the OG 1996 Tomb Raider built using Unreal Engine 5. Initially, the game was scheduled to arrive some time this year, with Catalyst (a brand new mainline entry) releasing a year later in 2027.

Assuming this latest delay is true however, it will be interesting to see whether we’ll be getting two new Tomb Raider games next year, or if Catalyst will also be pushed back as a result.

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KitGuru says: Which of the two upcoming games are you more excited for? Could we wind up seeing both games releasing in 2027? Let us know your thoughts down below.