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The next 'Tomb Raider' is a timed Xbox exclusive

The next 'Tomb Raider' is a timed Xbox exclusive

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While last year's excellent reboot of Tomb Raider was available on a number of platforms, the same can't be said for its sequel: Microsoft has announced that the new game will be exclusive to Xbox. The announcement was made during Microsoft's Gamescom press conference in Germany, where it was revealed that Rise of the Tomb Raider will be available during the holiday 2015 window. The Xbox exclusivity is a big shift for a franchise that many associate with the PlayStation name. The game will be coming to Xbox One, though the wording means a 360 version is also possible.

And despite being available on fewer platforms, developer Crystal Dynamics believes that the change will make the new Tomb Raider even more popular. "We know they will get behind this game more than any support we have had from them in the past," studio head Darrell Gallagher said of Microsoft. "We believe this will be a step to really forging the Tomb Raider brand as one of the biggest in gaming, with the help, belief, and backing of a major partner like Microsoft."

Update, October 13th, 8:55AM: In an interview with Eurogamer, Xbox chief Phil Spencer has confirmed that the Tomb Raider exclusivity deal is for a limited period of time. "Yes, the deal has a duration," he said. "I didn't buy it. I don't own the franchise." Spencer also clarified that the game would ship on Xbox 360 as well as Xbox One.