Long read: The beauty and drama of video games and their clouds

"It's a little bit hard to work out without knowing the altitude of that dragon..."

If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Crystal Dynamics talks Lara

Sex, platforming and an exclusive new trailer for Guardian of Light.

EurogamerYou've said in the past that there are two teams within Crystal Dynamics: one working on the downloadable game, and the other working on the pillar release, as you've described it in interviews.
Karl Stewart

I certainly have. We've split into two to make sure it gets back to our core of making sure we deliver the right experience to the right audience.

EurogamerWhen Guardian of Light is released, will the team join the team that's working on the pillar release, or will it continue to work on downloadable Lara Croft games?
Karl Stewart

Right now the team is busy finishing off Guardian of Light. Of course, if this game is successful, digital games can be built on a much shorter timeline than a full disc-based game. We have allotted ourselves enough time and space to be able to say that, if this is successful, which we hope it will be, then we will start looking at this space.

The two teams, one pillar and one specifically created to look at the IP and the gaming space in new and different ways, have continued to come back with new ideas to help push the boundaries. If this is successful then we will look at this becoming a part of our pillar. But this is our first time entering into this space, so we're not going to go too far down the road in saying, 'Let's start focusing on several other versions,' until we see how well this does.

EurogamerI know you don't want to talk about the pillar release, but tell me something about it because I'm very interested.
Forest Large

You're naughty!

Karl Stewart

It'll be called Tomb Raider.

EurogamerShocking. I've heard it'll be an origins story. Put me right.
Karl Stewart

We want to make sure that everybody gets the information and is surprised and excited together. We're not going to go into any detail right now, apart from the fact that of course it's called... Tomb Raider!

EurogamerWhen will you take the lid off?
Karl Stewart

It's called Tomb Raider! Right now we are busy. Unfortunately we have seen things appear, and that really is unfortunate. We like to make sure that everything is done correctly and the right amount of time and energy is put into a project. We go through a lot of research and a lot of study. It's never a given. Bits and pieces have leaked out. It kills us to see that. But right now, we don't want to go into any detail whatsoever until it's ready and the fans get excited. When we come out and announce it, in whatever time period that may be, it'll be done correctly. You'll be happy to hear what we have to say. I don't want to spoil it for you!

What we've learned very quickly since taking over the brand at Crystal Dynamics is we have a tremendous amount of fans. We have a tremendous amount of intrigue about what we do. If somebody happens to leave it makes the news. If a piece of rumour comes out it happens to make the news in a completely different way. We've seen things over the last year or two that to us are so small. We go on to the community and there are threads with thousands of people talking about it.

We have to appreciate and understand that of course there is a lot of intrigue into what we're doing in the studio, and that's great. But we want to make sure it's fully baked and when we do come out everything's thought about and you're delighted to hear about it and see it. But when stuff does come out obviously it's a little bit disheartening. You do your best to make sure that you get things right before anything comes out and hopefully that will be the case.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be released on Xbox Live Arcade on 18th August for 1200 Microsoft Points (£10).