Evil Hat Games and the Tomb Raider RPG Part Ways

In news that has resonated through the tabletop role-playing game community, Evil Hat Games, known for acclaimed systems like Fate and Blades in the Dark, has announced the cancellation of their Tomb Raider RPG project, Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth. The reason cited? “Creative differences” with the licensor, Crystal Dynamics.

The official statement from Evil Hat, shared on their website and widely reported, expressed sadness about the decision but highlighted a silver lining:

“We’re proud of the work they’ve done and we plan to retool the project as a standalone game with a fresh, original setting. You haven’t seen the last of it.”

What Does “Creative Differences” Mean?

While the phrase “creative differences” can be a catch-all, the whispers and discussions across the internet hint at potential areas of disagreement. When Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth was initially announced in February 2024, it aimed to put players in the roles of “Truth Seekers,” allies and contemporaries of Lara Croft, rather than exclusively playing as Lara herself. The game was said to incorporate elements of the Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) system, emphasizing narrative and character-driven play.

Early playtest excerpts and discussions also suggested the game would explore themes like decolonization and the moral implications of artifact acquisition, challenging the traditional “tomb raiding” narrative. This approach, while welcomed by some, may have clashed with the licensor’s vision for the iconic franchise, which historically has been more focused on action, exploration, and the thrill of discovery. Disagreements could have arisen regarding:

• Tone and thematic focus: How much emphasis should be placed on the ethical considerations of archaeology versus pure adventure?
• Character portrayal: The direction and depiction of Lara Croft and the world she inhabits.
• Narrative direction and lore interpretation: How new stories would integrate with the established Tomb Raider canon.
• Gameplay mechanics: While Evil Hat excels at narrative-driven systems, the licensor might have preferred a different mechanical approach for certain aspects of the Tomb Raider experience.

Ultimately, it seems the visions for the game couldn’t fully “gel.” As Evil Hat’s business manager Chris Hanrahan told Wargamer, “We hit upon a disagreement on the game’s final form. Fans may find that disappointing but it’s not uncommon in a licensor/licensee arrangement.”

The Phoenix Rises from the Tomb

Despite the setback of losing the Tomb Raider license, the good news for fans of Evil Hat’s design philosophy is that the hard work isn’t going to waste. The “stellar team” that poured their hearts into Shadows of Truth will now retool the game with an original setting. This means that the core mechanics and the adventurous spirit that defined the project will likely emerge in a new, unburdened form.

For tabletop gamers who were excited about an RPG that delves into themes of exploration, ancient mysteries, and challenging conventions, this re-imagined game could be even more compelling without the constraints of a pre-existing IP. It allows Evil Hat to fully realize their creative vision without compromise.

While the loss of an official Tomb Raider RPG from Evil Hat is certainly a disappointment for some, the promise of a new, original adventure game built on the foundation of their excellent design work is a silver lining indeed. We’ll be keeping a close eye on what new treasures Evil Hat unearths from this venture.

What are your thoughts on this development? Were you looking forward to the Tomb Raider RPG, and are you excited for Evil Hat’s new original game? Let us know in the comments!