Tomb Raider parent company embraces AI, but promises “human-led” creativity will remain

Tomb Raider parent company Embracer recently shared its Q3 FY 2025/26 report for investors. In addition to outlining the company’s financial performance and future outlook, CEO Phil Rogers commented on how Embracer plans to utilize AI while maintaining “human-led” creativity.

As part of a press release published on February 12, Rogers said that Embracer sees “significant and accelerating potential in AI-driven tools to meaningfully enhance development, production, and operations.”

Rogers elaborated, “The pace of technological advancement is extraordinary, and as an industry that has always embraced innovation, we actively explore and adopt AI where it strengthens our products and improves efficiency.”

He added, “We view AI as a tool to support and empower our teams,” but emphasized that “world-building, storytelling, and creative direction will remain firmly human-led, ensuring that creativity and originality continue to define our experiences.”

Embracer became the parent company of Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics in 2022 after acquiring the studio, alongside Eidos Montréal, from Square Enix for a reported $300 million. Following the acquisition, Crystal Dynamics secured ownership of the Tomb Raider intellectual property, while Embracer owns the studio.

To make things more complicated, future Tomb Raider games are being published by Amazon, with Legacy of Atlantis scheduled for 2026 and Catalyst slated for 2027. Adding another layer, Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, best known for the Shadow Warrior trilogy, is co-developing Legacy of Atlantis, a reimagining of Lara Croft’s 1996 debut.

Embracer and the use of AI in future Tomb Raider games

Embracer’s endorsement of AI tools does not mean Legacy of Atlantis or Catalyst will use AI, particularly generative AI.

AI remains a divisive topic within the industry, despite more developers openly acknowledging its use. Call of Duty has used AI to generate “some in-game assets,” and the studio behind Stellar Blade is planning to use AI in the future. Meanwhile, Larian faced backlash after revealing it had used AI-inspired concept art for Divinity, prompting the studio to swear off generative AI for all phases of the game’s development.

Tomb Raider has also recently been involved in AI-related controversy. AI was used to “restore” missing voice lines for the French version of Tomb Raider 4–6 Remastered, prompting French actress Françoise Cadol to take legal action. This resulted in developer Aspyr removing the lines in a hotfix.

While concerns largely focus on generative AI and the replacement of voice actors, The Witcher 3 game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz has previously spoken about AI’s benefits. While discussing Dispatch as his Game of the Year, Tomaszkiewicz said his new studio, Rebel Wolves, is using AI to assist the Blood of the Dawnwalker quality assurance team.

Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis was not shown during the February 2026 State of Play, but Embracer’s financial report reaffirmed that it is scheduled to release in 2026. Summer Game Fest is set for June, which is likely when the game will appear next, assuming nothing occurs on Lara Croft’s birthday, February 14.

Alix Wilton Regan from Mass Effect and Cyberpunk 2077 is the new Lara Croft voice actor, and Crystal Dynamics has teased new “surprises” as Legacy of Atlantis reimagines the original 1996 classic, while still maintaining its feeling.

What new surprises await haven’t been revealed, but leaks suggest the debut of the Society of Raiders.