Tomb Raider sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider, will be released exclusively on the Xbox platform.

'Tomb Raider' Exclusively For XBox

Microsoft’s Phil Harrison announced that Rise of the Tomb Raider would be released exclusively on Xbox One and Xbox 360 at the Gamescom conference in Cologne, Germany on Tuesday. Harrison revealed that the game would be available on the platform starting holiday season 2015.

@MrPhilHarrison congrats on a great show. Great exclusives inc tomb raider. Im glad I bought an xbox one for real next gen experiences.

— ray styles (@iamironwolf) August 12, 2014

Head of product development for Crystal Dynamics – which puts out Tomb Raider – Darrell Gallagher, revealed that the company felt that going exclusive with Microsoft was the best option for the sequel.

“Our goal has always been to deliver something truly special with Rise of the Tomb Raider,” Gallagher wrote on Crystal Dynamic’s Tumblr. “Today’s announcement with Microsoft is one step to help us put Tomb Raider on top of action adventure gaming. Our friends at Microsoft have always seen huge potential in Tomb Raider and have believed in our vision since our first unveil with them on their stage at E3 2011."

Microsoft’s Phil Spencer has further clarified that the exclusive deal could potentially have an expiration date. While Tomb Raider will be shipping out first for Xbox, Spencer can’t say what the franchise’s plans are going forward.

“Yes, the deal has a duration. I didn’t buy it. I don’t own the franchise,” said Spencer speaking to Eurogamer. “I have Tomb Raider shipping next holiday exclusively on Xbox. It is Xbox 360 and Xbox One. I’m not trying to fake anybody out in terms of where this thing is. What they do with the franchise in the long run is not mine. I don’t control it.”

The Tomb Raider that debuted in 2013, which became an unexpected success, had been a multiplatform game – available on PlayStation, PC and Mac, as well as Xbox.