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Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
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Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis attracted attention last week, not just because of its release date trailer, but also due to the developers' use of AI throughout the game's production.
Shortly after that trailer aired, it emerged that Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog had employed AI during the game's development process. At the time, a spokesperson informed Eurogamer that the studios utilize AI tools to "help our teams iterate on ideas faster and more efficiently, while ensuring that all finished content in the final product is human-crafted."
Now, Crystal Dynamics' director of experience Jeff Adams has provided further details on how the studios are actually implementing AI tools for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, stating that the technology is being used to generate placeholder assets to aid in visualization. According to Adams, this approach allows the team to "get to [the] right answers faster."
"Let me give you an example of what that looks like. So, say in early level development, we have an idea for an object, but we're not sure whether or not we want to take the dev time to build it. We can use a generative AI tool to help us visualise that object in the world," Adams explained to Game Informer. "If it works, we'll then move it to our traditional pipeline. From there, the team will concept it, they'll build it, and we'll make sure that all the finished content in the final game is human-crafted." Adams added that it is "really important for us that our team has the tools to make the highest quality experience possible," emphasizing that "our fans deserve nothing less than that."
When Game Informer sought further clarification on how this actually functions in practice, a PR representative stepped in, stating that this was all Crystal Dynamics had to say on the subject of AI for now. However, when Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis launches next year, the studio will "probably be more comfortable" discussing it.
"We just want to make it as easy as possible for us to make high-quality game experiences," Adams concluded. "That's really the important thing."
There is currently an ongoing debate about whether studios should reveal when AI has been used during a game's development. In November of last year, Epic Games head Tim Sweeney said it made "no sense" for developers to disclose AI use any more, and we might as well ask them what brand of shampoo they use. Others are less convinced and disagree that AI will become so widespread that disclosing its use will become irrelevant. Meanwhile, figures like Aloy actress Ashly Burch acknowledge that AI may have its applications, but it should never replace human creativity.
As for Tomb Raider, while initially scheduled for release in 2026, Legacy of Atlantis will now launch next year, on 12th February. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC via Steam.
Our Chris recently had hands-on time with Legacy of Atlantis, describing it as "strangely double-A," but not lacking in charm. "I would maybe just gently temper your expectations for this one," he wrote in Eurogamer's preview. "Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is breezy and enjoyable enough, its new voiceover for Lara Craft is pleasantly posh, its design dappled with moments that feel lovably old-school. But a prestige, properly modern remake this is not."