Exclusive Tomb Raider episodes for 360

Plus exclusive Underworld demo this month.

Microsoft has secured the exclusive rights to distribute two downloadable add-on episodes for Tomb Raider: Underworld on Xbox Live following the release of the game.

Tomb Raider: Underworld - Beneath the Ashes and Tomb Raider: Underworld - Lara's Shadow will offer "up to six hours of new gameplay and content" between them.

We asked how much the two episodes would cost, but Eidos was unable to give us an answer at the time of publication. Eidos has also said a demo of Tomb Raider: Underworld will be released on Xbox Live Marketplace this month, and Eurogamer has been told this is also exclusive to Xbox 360.

The first of the two new episodes, Beneath the Ashes, will be released this Christmas, and Eidos has said it follows events taking place after Underworld's story concludes. The publisher promises "an incredible new environment to explore, additional secrets to unlock and different enemies to fight".

Lara's Shadow, meanwhile, will be released in early 2009, and "will introduce players to a new kind of playable character and create a unique Tomb Raider experience". However, both episodes are described as "single-player gameplay experiences", so don't read too much into that just yet.

"We're thrilled that Xbox owners will be able to extend their Lara Croft adventures with exclusive Tomb Raider: Underworld episodes," said George Peckham, general manager of Microsoft's global third party publishing branch, no doubt a few quid lighter.

"We look forward to continue working closely with our great publishing partners to deliver the most robust gaming experiences, only on Xbox 360."

There's already plenty of evidence of that, of course, especially with the upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV exclusive episodes, which are due for release before the end of the year.

Elsewhere, Microsoft announced at E3 that it has sewn up a deal with Bethesda Softworks to publish exclusive downloadable content for the developer's upcoming RPG-shooter hybrid Fallout 3.

It's all part of the platform holder's push to position Xbox Live as the first choice for internet-connected console gamers. At the moment, the service has more than 12 million users (some paying, some not).

Tomb Raider: Underworld is due out on PS3, 360, Wii, PS2, DS and PC on 21st November.

Comments (76) Latest comment 3 years ago

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  • yupyup #1 3 years ago

    Exclusive demos now? That's the stench of desperation ^_^ What next, exclusive patches?
  • Shakey_Jake33 #2 3 years ago

    Microsoft put a lot of money into stuff like this, but it's surely only going to sway people who own both a PS3 and 360 to buy the 360 version, right? I mean, people who own a PS3 aren't going to suddenly run out and buy a 360 for this stuff.
  • Cloudane #3 3 years ago

    Oh for Christ sake!

    Just give the entire audience and fans alike the bloody FULL game; not a half-baked experience.
  • El-Dev #4 3 years ago

    Exclusive Demo? Either the PS3 version will be pish and they don't want to put people off buying it or MS paid big.

    I don't care about this add-on crap.After spendin roughly £40 on a game I'd like to be given free stuff later on,not asked to buy a few new levels.
  • miiiguel #5 3 years ago

    "Exclusive demos now?"
    Demos?
  • chris_ace #6 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011
  • miiiguel #7 3 years ago

    Well, and tbh, if one works on a product "it's desperate", if not "it doesn't care". Money is well used when it is invested. A capitalist who collects Ferraris is not a good enterpeneur. Investing != desperation, quite the opposite.
  • Muneeb #8 3 years ago

    Damn you Eidos, damn you!
  • mikew1985 #9 3 years ago

    "!= desperation"

    is it that hard to say does not equal? That is such a stupid shorthand it's unreal... then again i can't bring myself to type the acronym for laugh out loud so what do i know.
  • dazrichards #10 3 years ago

    It doesn't smell right when DLCs appear so close after the release of the game. Sounds like MS secured the rights for 2 levels to be taken out of both versions
  • agparrot #11 3 years ago

    Sweet.

    Well, if the game is any good, more is good. If it sucks, who cares?
  • beholdthelantern #12 3 years ago

    Why's everyone whinging? This is great news! I like the idea of episodic content - get it, don't get it. If the game's any good, I'll get it.

    Microsoft are going all out to make sure my decision to buy an xBox was the right one. Fable 2, GoW2, TR:Undies and more are going to keep me busy for ages!
  • Gnort #13 3 years ago

    I don't like exclusive content. Either have the game as a platform exclusive (and have it fully developed for the strengths of that specific platform), or have it properly multiplatform and let everyone enjoy it. None of this "you can play it on machine x, but if you want the full experience you have to buy it for machine y" crap.
  • miiiguel #14 3 years ago

    "is it that hard to say does not equal? That is such a stupid shorthand it's unreal... "
    I'm doing a Korn shell script at the same time as I type in EG. I get confused.
  • dredd97 #15 3 years ago

    the more MS pull this shit the more i move awy from buying the 360 version of the game.. so now it's fallout 3 ps3 and now tomb raider !

    find it really pissing annoying that MS even secured an 'exclusive' demo FFS! so MS must have paid big for the DLC because I'm sure Eidos are worried that the PS3 version will bomb now there's no DLC for it.. and that short fall will have to be picked up by MS...

    hurry up Google! time to make a console! ;)
  • Aysir #16 3 years ago

    Microsoft really insist on being cocks don't they? I really like tomb raider and as much as I would want to play the extra stuff, i'm not going to get it purely on principle ... oh and the fact that i've barely got any space left on my xbox HDD now... cocks!
  • miiiguel #17 3 years ago

    I'm sure MS is now worried that dredd97 is now going to buy it for the PS3...
  • Mornelithe #18 3 years ago

    The only thing this does for me (As a PS3 owner), is remove this game from possible purchase lists. Just like Mirrors Edge (which will be getting DLC for the PS3 exclusively), and other games that follow this suit. I'm passing. All gamers should get the same game. Not just some gamers.



    Morne
  • Wendelius #19 3 years ago

    Good for you guys and your principles!

    Others like me will just buy the 360 version, enjoy the game, and if the DLC is good get more Tomb Raider fun. Sorry I can't quite work up your level of angst and anger at the possibility of having more content.
  • paulf #20 3 years ago

    'I'm doing a Korn shell script at the same time as I type in EG. I get confused. '

    probably makes more sense that most posts on eg forums ;)
  • Gnort #21 3 years ago

    Okay, some people clearly feel far more strongly about this sort of thing than I do. I said I don't like it, but I'm not going to boycott a game because of it. The thought of a 360 owner not buying TR:U because the PS3 version won't get the same DLC, or a PS3 owner not buying Mirror's Edge because the 360 version won't get DLC is bizarre.
  • miiiguel #22 3 years ago

    yeah..., I mean, with all due respect to your principles, I believe in a capitalist system, and money must be invested and competition is the genesis of our way of life - that's my principles (and I'm sorta nihilist as well, can't realy have the will to "fight the power";).
    Money must be invested. Abramovich kinda enterpeneurs suck... bad, imo!
  • stlthriot #23 3 years ago

    I am truly disappointed in all this EXCLUSIVE content for the d*mn 360... seriously, we are all paying money for these games, and the PS3 is a wonderful system as well.
    And, I agree, what the h*ll is up with this exclusive demo crap! ugh... Microsoft...
  • Beano #24 3 years ago

    "...MS paid big"

    Of course MS payed for this.

    Just like GTA4, MS are trying to get exclusive content for the 360 version of multi-platform games. It's cheaper with DLC than entire games.
  • Mornelithe #25 3 years ago

    @ Gnort - I know, I'm a strange fellow, but I think the only way to show these developers that accepting money for exclusive content, will only hurt their sales across the board. I feel that 360 exclusive DLC, is no different than exclusive DLC for the PS3. Therefore, it is not only unfair, but hypocritical for me to purchase a game such as Mirrors Edge, because it has exclusive DLC for the PS3. Any games, that follow the exclusive DLC theme, regardless of platform, will be a pass for me.



    Morne
  • Dizzy #26 3 years ago

    "...MS paid big"

    Or *gasp* publishers sell more and have higher profit margins on the 360?
  • yupyup #27 3 years ago

    @miiguel - from the article:

    Eidos has also said a demo of Tomb Raider: Underworld will be released on Xbox Live Marketplace this month, and Eurogamer has been told this is also exclusive to Xbox 360
  • Scimarad #28 3 years ago

    If it runs as badly as Legend did on the 360 then they can keep it. I've not played the 360 version of Anniversary so I can't comment on that...
  • septimus #29 3 years ago

    Fuck off MS. I hate this shit.

    It does kind of work, if it's good enough I'll get the 360 version. Shame no other TR came out on PS3...it feels more at home on that console. Guess it is down to playing the original on PS1 (and Saturn, but damn the slow down was annoying).
  • miiiguel #30 3 years ago

    Someday "socialist principles" will prevent ppl from enjoying any video-game.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/08 @ 18:29
  • Kostabi #31 3 years ago

    Oh ffs.

    I'm buying TR: Underworld but it's annoying that if I want the extra content I have to get the 360 version. The trend of Microsoft moneyhatting DLC annoys the piss out of me.
  • nbnz #32 3 years ago

    Why even bother making it for the PS3 if they're going to do this crap. How many PS3 owners are going to buy this or continue to support publishers & developers who treat them as second class citizens. Although I have both platforms this is not going to sway me to buy the 360 version, it's going to sway me not to buy any version - because it's a completely stupid business practice for the consumers.
  • miiiguel #33 3 years ago

    I don't think EA treats me as a 2nd class citizen because they made a deal with Sony for exclusive DLC for Mirror's Edge. Well played by Sony, as a matter of fact. This platform is the "home to game XXX" but not exclusive it's quite clever. I mean it is better than the exclusive thing, as anyone can enjoy it, and some get a special something.
  • Steroyd #34 3 years ago

    @Dizzy

    Yeah but PS3 sales are good enough to support it, it's not woefullly behind Xbox 360 in software sales as say the PSP is to the DS, I can't see the difference being enough to completely support the Xbox 360 in this way.

    And besides announceing this way before the game is released, might lower PS3 sales while it's not going to make much difference on Xbox 360, stupid stupid move.
  • Mornelithe #35 3 years ago

    Down with all forms of exclusive DLC. Don't buy the game, don't buy the content.



    Momrne
  • Beano #36 3 years ago

    "Or *gasp* publishers sell more and have higher profit margins on the 360? "

    Nonsense - MS paid for this exclusivity (again). Doesn't make sense to only sell the DLC one platform otherwise.
  • Beano #37 3 years ago

    "Why even bother making it for the PS3 if they're going to do this crap."

    Because not everyone has a 360 and are not buying it for the game. Sould be pretty obvious from er publisher's perspective... two similar platforms=more money.
  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #38 3 years ago

    lol @ people moaning.
  • Rirekon #39 3 years ago

    iHuGi - "Microsoft = Money... "

    At what point did Microsoft give you the impression they were a charity? Of course they're all about the money, as is every other Corporation in the world.
  • dpb135 #40 3 years ago

    I was going for the ps3 version, as long as it wasnt rubbish compared to the 360 one to up my ps3 game count, but now i'll go for the 360 version with extra dlc & probably extra achievements
  • stevethemeat #41 3 years ago

    Microsoft in attempt to make money shocker!!!!!!!!
  • onyxbox #42 3 years ago

    I'm sure the PS3 version will be much better.

    /awaits EG's pointless Head to head.

    ;-)
  • miiiguel #43 3 years ago

    Is the hippie movement back?


    edit: just had this neat idea, we could do an online petition to boycot the game an any DLC exclusive. A fight for an equalitarian society. We could then go further and endorse a controlled economy like Cuba or China.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/08 @ 20:04
  • JimmyJim #44 3 years ago

    Ok, despite being an Xbox 360 owner, I can see why people will be annoyed. I imagine the content would have been included in both versions were it not for this deal. I don't want to have to pay extra for an epilogue level (and also, "another playable character"? That should send immediate warning signs to people. For better or worse, people play Tomb Raider expecting Lara Croft).

    That said, Tomb Raider has a history of "extra levels" (TR1, 2 and 3). And thing all the way back to Tomb Raider 2, that Sony signed an exclusive contract to... for a series that originally started on the Sega Saturn! Basically, this isn't the first: just be glad it's on the PS3. I was gutted when TR2 went exclusive :)
  • Cappy #45 3 years ago

    Hippie movement?

    Well, we know what's on the table. Buy or don't buy, everybody makes their own choice. As long as the PS3 version works as a complete, final product it shouldn't be problem, and it should do since some 360 owners will have to live with that version of the game too.

    I don't like how messy things have got in this generation, patches, DLC and more patches. I miss the days when the disc you held in your hand represented the full game. In the long term I forsee problems when people want to take a nostalgia trip and try and get a 10 year old favorite fully up and running.
  • Xerx3s #46 3 years ago

    "We could then go further and endorse a controlled economy like Cuba or China. "

    Considering that those countries are doing much better during this crisis, that's not as bad as this sounds.
  • Dizzy #47 3 years ago

    Wait... when Sony did this for PS2 it was cool. Now you guys cry like little girls because some publishers do this for 360?
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/08 @ 20:37
  • BillyBrush #48 3 years ago

    From The Mirrors Edge DLC thread

    evilfoxhound
    02-Sep-08 13:50:23

    Since Sony don't pay for exclusive's, I wonder how they ended up with exclusive DLC. Maybe they are very close with the developers, the PS3 is the lead development platform for the game after all.


    Soo...maybe MS are just close to the developers, all snuggled up and no dollar changes hands..ahh

    ..I didn't say i beleive that for a second, but let's put it out there..

  • Steroyd #49 3 years ago

    @Dizzy

    The PS2 could do exclusive DLC? News to me.

    The exclusive demo is bulcrap though, how on earth is a PS3 owner like me who hasn't battered an eyelid at TRU's direction supposed to gain some if any interest in the game if it's exclusive to a specific console, that's an even more godawful decision.
  • wewillselfdestruct #50 3 years ago

    As a PS3 owner I guess I should be annoyed about this but is it just me that feels we're two generations on from the last time Tomb Raider was an essential purchase? As such I very much doubt this will have any influence upon my decision to not buy the game anyway. I guess I just liked triangular breasts or something.
  • bonker #51 3 years ago

    "I guess I just liked triangular breasts or something. "

    Pointy :)
  • bonker #52 3 years ago

    Can't say I'm too fussed about the financials of it but it definitely puts me off a game to know that there is content 'missing'.

    I like games to tell me a story and give me a cool narrative arc to progress through, I enjoy the fact that someone has thought of all that stuff and I'm experiencing it - it's very much like watching a good film or reading a good book to me.

    Hence, when I hear that there are 'chapters missing' to be bought later, I automatically feel like I'm going to be missing something and that the original 'full' product is actually broken.

    I adored Oblivion with 250 hours put into it but if I'd known about the future DLC I may never have bought it and despite (because of?) my love for the game I've never even considered buying the DLC for it ...
  • gamecubeisbest #53 3 years ago

    Wait are they releasing the first episode only one month after the game is released?
  • chris_ace #54 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011
  • IronGiant #55 3 years ago

    Fuck right off. This has made my mind up, PS3 version for me.
  • Vic #56 3 years ago

    @Dizzy

    You think Eidos gave this for free? The suggestion that the 360 makes publishers bigger margins is rubbish, and if you look at multiplatform game sales, the best games tend to sell better on PS3.

    Its annoying that MS seems to applying its principle of overpriced accessories to dlc. Whats the betting these 'episodes' last about 2 hours each for most gamers and cost about £8-£10 each?
  • Vic #57 3 years ago

    sigmagoat wrote
    "If this DLC is ready for December release that means they cut a level out of the game in order to sell as DLC to 360 users because the £40 they are asking for this game was not enough already".

    Blatant greed at its worst. The funny thing is that some 360 fanboys think being ripped-off by MS is good because 'they are getting one over the competition'.
  • Rash' #58 3 years ago

    Dizzy, Better margins? That's a fanboys deluded fantasy.

    Miiguel, I agree investment needs to be made on exclusive content, but given a choice between exclusive games and exclusive DLC I know which I'd go for. Only one of those strategies delivers long terms returns. Can you guess which one???

    Billybrush, only one problem with your borrowed theory, MS are known to pay for exclusive DLC.
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/08 @ 01:28
  • Isere #59 3 years ago

  • Calgon #60 3 years ago

    LOL I love it... Sony fanboys are the stupidest of them all!

    Because Sony say they dont pay for exclusives... its now truth is it?
    Because Sony say next gen starts when they say it does thats the truth too is it?
    Because Sony say the PS3 is all powerfull compared to 360 thats the truth?


    The only people pissed off with this so early are Sony fanboys or PS3 only gamers... perhaps it was MS' idea in the first place? You know maybe the episodic content work really does start after the game has been finnished... same could have been true for GTA:IV(probably is too given the time taken for it... it fits perfectly) its not stealling if its their idea is it?

    So Sony didnt pay for the Heavy Rain's exclusiveness? They were PC devs, it would be better suited to the 360 audience, well after PC obviously.

    Mirrors edge?

    You can bet any 3rd party exclusive from Sony IS paid for... the days where going exclusive for Sony means bigger sales(ala PS2 in$tal base) are gone for now... why else would they do that now? Thats the only reason MS had to pay... when you are top dog you can call the shots and alot of the devs will bend over backwards just to have the platform hold behind their game and generate the buzz which will garantee sales.

    This gen MS are still infront, offer better support to the devs, ontop of better tools, better online structure from a devs veiwpoint and a console that gives them more back for the work they put in(see the many complaints about the design of the PS3 from the dev community... and no its not because "they are just too stupid" its because its shouldnt be necessary... 360 proves that it could have been better designed for the devs instead of the PR department).

    So Sony have paid for exclusiveness this gen already... they will present an image of being to proud and pretend theyve never been reliant on 3rd party all of a sudden(HAHAHA dont even try and say that)... I see them trying to pretend now they are this 1st party powerhouse... but are they though? No they certainly never was for the PS1-PS2 era they were there but you couldnt place them in the same place as Nintendo let alone above them... infact MSGS' output seemed higher to me last gen. The only reason Sony played that angle is because they cant really afford to pay for too many, they never thought they'd be in this position.

    Having said that MSGS have been quiet on announcing new titles, Im much more interested in seeing what they have planned because although MS have improved the 3rd party support enough so that Sony have no advantage anymore(ie. hogging all the Japanese devs, and a few European for no apparent reason other than being 1st place for so long), they have never been too dependant on 3rd party support and MSGS has served them well thus far(alot of million sellers under their belts... not to mention critical acclaim).


    Edited by 2 at 07/10/08 @ 04:32
  • Machiavellian #61 3 years ago

    It does seem quite silly for all the fuss over exclusive DLC. We all probably sure that MS paid for the exclusive content but when you look at it from the developer point of view, its a win/win situation. DLC is not guaranteed for a game so if MS, Sony or Nintendo comes along and offer money to do it, why would a development studio turn it down. The high cost of making games have showed that any investment of money you get before you make the content can help a lot. You are only as good as your last hit and how many times have you seen decent studios come out with a so so game go into the red or have to close down.

    Another misconception appears to be that most of you think developers have this endless amount of time to create content. Time is money and who is to say you will see return on that investment. Money upfront eliminate the risk and also can help produce a better product because the devs can spend more time doing a good job then pushing something out to the public because doing the DLC started to cost more than they felt the investment would return.

    The thing is, if the GTA, Mirrors Edge and TRU content comes out and is of very high quality where console owners start to doubt thy picked the right platform then the damage will be done.
  • GamerG #62 3 years ago

    I cant believe the SDF, how blinkered can people be??

    ITS A BUSINESS FFS!!

    The same people would be cheering from the rooftops if it was the other way round!


    The bitterness is incredible quite frankly

    PS I though the exclusive DLC on Mirrors edge was announced as fake?
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/08 @ 07:16
  • drumbaby #63 3 years ago

    Guess I'll have to buy it without trying a demo then. That's incredibly stingey and arrogant of the developers. Buy without trying, it's that good, and we can't be bothered....

    Or is it the case that there will be a demo, just one that's different (exclusive) on the PS3 and PC to the (exclusive) one on 360?
  • Darren #64 3 years ago

    What's the point of having an exclusive demo if the game is going to be released on the 360 and PS3 at the same time anyway? All it will do is piss off PS3 owners who might want to try the game before buying. Seems totally stupid to me... it's not like PS3 owners will decide to buy an Xbox 360 to play the game on just because there's an exclusive demo, is it? :?
  • SteveB #65 3 years ago

    ^^ My thoughts exactly. Exclusive DLC fair enough, but an exclusive demo I can't see the point of either.
  • barchetta #66 3 years ago

    Exclusive DLC is just another method of winning hearts and minds. It won't disappear as it is clearly creating a debate and focussing gamers on platform-specific advantages. That is business pure and simple.

    Exclusive demos seems a little useless - it can only serve those with more than 1 console platform. I can almost understand the thinking of offering timed exclusivity to XBL gold members over the non-paying silver tightwads (*joke*). However, platform bias for demos (on simultaneous releases) is dumb as I doubt many people are going to play the demo and then buy a 360 - I can't se TR:U being a system shifter like LBP/Halo/Gears.
  • Dizzy #67 3 years ago

    >Dizzy, Better margins? That's a fanboys deluded fantasy.

    Sadly I know for a fact that this is how it works ;) And no I am not going into this any further. There are more ways to get exclusive stuff than to buy it with cash.
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/08 @ 09:32
  • stepneg #68 3 years ago

    Boo fucking hoo, what a bunch of winers, I will be getting the 360 version and if the games any good the extra content as well. For all of you sticking to your guns and buying the PS3 version out of principle, enjoy playing half the game, lol.
  • chris_ace #69 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011
  • Kryon #70 3 years ago

    LOL! Tomb Raider: The Lost chapters Only on PS3 LULZ!
  • septimus #71 3 years ago

    It's the demo that is the worst bit of this. Eidos must see that they are just cutting off their nose to spite their face. Uncharted 2 can't arrive quick enough, much better than any TR anyway.

    How the fuck is any PS3 user meant to see how the PS3 version runs? Or they are doing it because they have completely screwed up the PS3 version because they are shit at code.

    Now I'm thinking, get the demo on 360, if it plays well, get it on PS3. My Elite would probably just scratch the disc anyway :( (CoD4 Limited Edition and Pure latest victims - just hope the install option works when the new dash is released).
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/08 @ 10:27
  • Kryon #72 3 years ago

    To be fair though, I'm sure the PS3 version will come with extra jaggies to make up for the lost content.
  • Calgon #73 3 years ago

    @chris_ace

    What a defensive SDF troll retort LOL! ;)

    You didnt even read it properly either; yes! Nintendo are and will remain top dogs for the remainder of this gen short of some spectacular turn around by MS or Sony(ie not likely) BUT what I said was Sony are no longer Top Dogs and MS are ahead of them... trust a Sony fanboy to try and put a spin on my wording. The difference in sales arent enough on their own for devs to go 360 exclusive either(may change may not... the end of year sales battle should be interesting) but as I pointed out MS are more developer friendly as it stands... always have been but perhaps thats not enough either for some devs.

    It could be that MS ask devs if they are doing much DLC... if the answer's no maybe they propose a deal that after devlopement on the game is finnished they start work on episodic content for Xbox live which MS will fund, there isnt much wrong with that and its a likely scenario.

    Of course because Sony fanboys can only see things from an anti-MS perspective they will say its MS stealing from Sony and buying all the goodies Sony should get, as the rightfull owners of everthing in console gaming... since they invented it.

  • Calgon #74 3 years ago

    I agree about the Demo seems a pointless move really as it doesnt do Eidos any favours and I doubt it will do anything for the 360 version either.

    If it gets good feedback from the Demo people will read that and wait for the reviews, most people buying it have already decided which version they are getting if they have the choice in the first place, theyd have to seriously drop the ball on either version to change most peoples minds. Those who havent been waiting for it will probably only be swayed by reviews and word of mouth anyway.

    So either its the fact that the PS3 version is further behind or like someone said already there is going to be a different PS3 demo at some point.
  • Kryon #75 3 years ago

    Why did hedbog cross the road?










    Because he's a spastic.
  • Kryon #76 3 years ago

    Kryons Limerick of the Day

    There was a young boy named hedbog.
    Who enjoyed making love to his bulldog.
    But the dog became queasy.
    for bogs cock was too cheesy.
    That weird Lithuanian named hedbog.