Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Game Studios have quietly pushed Tomb Raider Catalyst into 2028, slipping the sequel back a full year from its previously announced 2027 window.
Amazon Games boss Jeff Gattis disclosed the delay during a July 23 interview with The Game Business, mentioning the shift casually rather than through an official announcement. The studio confirmed that Legacy of Atlantis, the first game in the rebooted franchise, launches February 12, 2025, on schedule. Catalyst now targets 2028.
The delay comes as Amazon Game Studios continues its aggressive push into premium gaming after its Luna cloud streaming platform failed to gain traction. The company acquired Tomb Raider from Square Enix in 2022 and committed to developing two major entries as part of a larger publishing strategy.
Legacy of Atlantis carries the weight of proving whether Amazon can deliver a blockbuster single-player experience. The game features a younger Lara Croft navigating underwater ruins and lost civilizations, marking a significant departure from recent entries. Its February release puts it squarely in a crowded window, competing with established franchises and new releases vying for player attention.
The Catalyst delay reflects industry realities. AAA development timelines consistently stretch beyond initial targets. Crystal Dynamics juggled both titles simultaneously while maintaining quality standards, a challenging endeavor for a studio also managing live service expectations and corporate pressure from its new owner.
For Amazon, the extra year provides more breathing room to refine Catalyst based on Legacy of Atlantis reception and player feedback. It also spreads the studio's marketing resources and avoids cannibalizing sales by stacking two major Tomb Raider releases in close succession.
The stealth announcement suggests Amazon views Catalyst as secondary to Legacy of Atlantis' 2025 launch. Getting the franchise re