Square Enix initially expected to sell 5-6 million units
Last year’sTomb Raiderreboot has finally reached the land of profitability, despiteinitially failing to meet the sales targets set by publisher Square Enix. In aninterview with Eurogamer, executive producer Scott Amos revealed that the game reached profitability at the end of 2013.
“By the end of last year —Tomb Raideris in the black. We’ve crossed the line of profitability for the last-gen and PC versions,” Scott explains, which has to be good news for Square Enix as they gear up for the launch of the new “definitive” edition ofTomb Raiderfor the PS4 and Xbox One.
It’s no surprise we’re scratching our heads when it comes to working out if a AAA game is truly successful or not;Tomb Raiderfailed to meet lofty sales targets but was then swiftly granted a follow up. Are publishers really looking at the long-term sales or is it a case of, as it seems to be withTomb Raider, a sequel to an under-performing but well-loved IP is still a good idea?
“As a franchise, Square Enix is clearly invested in us,” Scott concludes. One has to wonder how well that investment would last if the next bigTomb Raidergame takes another nine months to break even.
Tomb Raider finally achieved profitability “by the end of last year”[Eurogamer]
