AI in the new Tomb Raider creates uncertainty

Crystal Dynamics has found a careful path in utilizing artificial intelligence tools during the development of the remake Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. The warning appeared on the Steam page right after the trailer shown at the PlayStation State of Play, raising a flag about how far technology is taking the place of artists. The studio assures that AI was merely a support to test concepts and sketch initial ideas, promising that any automatically generated content was replaced or refined by human hands. It's a convenient argument, although transparency seems to have come only due to pressure from the digital storefront.

When questioned by Eurogamer, the company tried to ease the negative reception. According to a representative, "our goal is to empower our producers’ creativity and flexibility to deliver top-quality experiences to players everywhere." It sounds much like a standard corporate rhetoric to justify shortcuts that, in theory, should accelerate the creative process.

Gamers' mistrust is not without reason. The industry's recent history is full of slip-ups, like the case of Crimson Desert, where Pearl Abyss claimed to use AI as a complement but ended up letting computer-generated images make it into the final game. It's a precedent that puts Crystal Dynamics under close scrutiny, as no one wants to see Lara Croft's legacy built by algorithms.

The project, a collaboration between Flying Wild Hog and Crystal Dynamics, aims to recreate the archaeologist's journey in search of the Scion of Atlantis. Unfortunately, the title that was originally slated for 2026 had to be postponed. Now, the new official release date is set for February 12 of the next year. The remake will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (via Steam), and also for Switch 2.

Between the promise of quality and the controversial use of these tools, the question remains whether the studio will manage to keep the essence of the franchise intact or if this technological integration will end up taking away the human touch that made the series iconic.