There's been some confusion over Rise of the Tomb Raider's exclusivity status, but Microsoft revealed today it's actually publishing the damn game.

News first broke when Xbox executive Aaron Greenberg responded to a fan on Twitter who was asking about how the game's publishing was being handled.

Here's what Greenberg said:

Square Enix later released a more clarifying statement to several outlets:

"Yes, Microsoft will be publishing Rise of the Tomb Raider on Xbox. Microsoft has always seen huge potential in Tomb Raider and they will get behind this game with more support across development, marketing and retail than ever before, which we believe will be a step in continuing to build the Tomb Raider franchise as one of the biggest in gaming."

This certainly seems to suggest we'll only be seeing Rise of the Tomb Raider on Xbox One (and possibly PC), even though previous reports left wiggle room for the sequel to show up down the line.

Of course, all of that could still happen. But in a world where Microsoft is publishing Rise of the Tomb Raider and Sony's locked up Street Fighter V, this generation of hardware might only be getting weirder.

Ugh, I really hate third party exclusives. Even when you own every console they still plain suck.

Man I really liked the rebooted Lara. One of the few games I completed last year. I'll have to wait for it to come to PC like all other console exclusives that they said would never be on a PC.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is still the dumbest name for a videogame I've ever heard.

Stonkers is a less embarrassing name.

What is deeply involved @patrickklepek ? Sending a single engineer to Crystal Dyamics over to make sure the game reaches the much fabled 1080p? Sending a batch of sandwiches in crunch time? You're giving too much credit to Microsoft on publishing a game. That's not deeply involved but par for course on any type of exclusive publishing deals.

I'm not sure why every outlet is treating this like news. It doesn't actually mean anything. I can go play the first Mass Effect on my PS3 right now, if I want to.

As pointed out by the Game Informer article, what this ISN'T saying is that the game is exclusive to the Xbox for the life for the game, something Sony was 100% clear about with SF5. The fact that they aren't being clear means this answer still means nothing.

Well, it's news any way you cut it, because we didn't know before. But you're absolutely right, this does not mean it will never come to PS4.

well at least still come to pc hopefully. if it does come to the pc it will not be an issue as i will be able to play with ps4 controller so its all good.

"Well, we need an Uncharted, too." - Microsoft.

Oh look, its Lara Microcroft.

"Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance".

Your move.

Interesting quote here:

Yes, Microsoft will be publishing Rise of the Tomb Raider on Xbox.

Now, this could be them saying "Hey, Microsoft are publishing Rise of the Tomb Raider." But by specifying "on Xbox" they leave it open for Square Enix to publish the game on PC and even on Playstation. "We only said Microsoft was publishing the game on Xbox." And as a previous comment points out that Game Informer pointed out, Sony and Capcom were very clear that Street Fighter V will be console exclusive on Playstation 4. (Of course, even then that doesn't mean Super Ultra Street Fighter V Remix will be a Playstation 4 exclusive on consoles. Just that the original game will be.)

@deusoma: Revengeance is a so bad it's good name.

Before we talk about the the issues of console exclusives, can we firstly just get a clear message?

It's crazy that no-one has come out yet just to say 'yes, this is only appearing on these Microsoft platforms' or otherwise.

At least Sony were straight forward about it with SFV. Who benefits from Microsft/SquareEnix not being upfront about the deal? Do they even know what it is yet at their end?

@spoonman671: Yeah, it's totally not news. I mean in 7 years after Rise of Tomb Raider is release, I'm sure we'll be able to play it on any platform.

I don't know about the rest of them, but I guess Giant Bomb's treating it as news coz it's something easy they can stick on the front page as a recent update while we're experiencing a GOTY famine.

What's happing with this news story? Some polgygon.com-esque click bait going on here.
[thing you already knew is said again by some other people then we say it again to you except slightly more intensely]

@mageboysa:

Saying you have an exclusive on SFV isn't saying much. All they have to do is change one mechanic and stick an "alpha", "ce" or "turbo" at the end and you have a new game that probably doesn't fall under the 'exclusive' agreement. These deals are always so cryptic and underhanded no matter who is in charge. Bottom line - no matter if your console of choice has an exclusive or not, you should not cheer for the industries latest way to kick consumers in the ball sack.

Street Fighter V would not have been in production right now without Sony picking it up, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Titanfall were being made for everything until Microsoft intervened, and Infinite Undiscovery while silly at first glance is a better title than Rise of the * once you get down to it.

I don't understand why people are saying this isn't news... Publishing is a big part of getting the game from the developer to the consumer... It also all but guarantees that we won't see the game on PS4 for at least a long time. I'd say that qualifies as news.

Microsoft is publishing Rise of the Tomb Raider and Sony's locked up Street Fighter V, this generation of hardware might only be getting weirder.

Not really. Just buy PC.

If the rumours were true about Square Enix looking to close down Crystal Dynamics after 'disappointing' sales of the last Tomb Raider, then good on Microsoft.

Exactly.

Well as long as this still comes to PC I can deal.

@gaggle64: lmao. console exclusives have been around since forever.

"This is why consoles are going to die" is something people have been saying for 10+ years and have been wrong every single goddamn time.

If it wasn't ever coming to PlayStation wouldn't Microsoft just clearly state as much? Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I'm still betting on it showing up. "Just get a PC" seems to be a common refrain in here...some of us just don't like PC gaming; so not really a solution. Anyhow, I did chuckle that The Temple Of Osiris came out today, not exactly looking for a way to support Square anytime soon.

Microsoft published Ninja Gaiden II as well...

And Mass Effect.

@deusoma: any Kingdom Hearts game not called Kingdom Hearts or Kingdom Hearts II

Rise of the Tomb Raider......giggity

It isn't news. Just a reiteration on a statement they made previously. Actually baffled that this was posted as such. Seems like something only the more sensationalist video game coverage sites would do. Surprising to see something like this on Giantbomb to be honest. I usually consider them one of the more accurate sites for games. Guess I'll have reconsider that notion.

@spoonman671: Mass Effect took 5 years because Microsoft's publishing rights ran out, and EA bought the developer.

Though Tomb Raider is a different case. Phil Spencer said it was similar to Dead Rising 3, so it would only be second party (like Ninja Gaiden 2), not first party.

I never understand it when people hate on exclusives unless they also want consoles to not exist at all. Exclusives are what make or break consoles.

Can't have it both ways.

@gaggle64: Exclusives are key to selling any platform, including PC.

I for one haven`t never used a PC for gaming since the late 90`s. Mostly due to the lack of software that interests me.

He said, while Sony giggled happily after having sold 10 million PS4's in six months.

I'm just glad more people are talking about Tomb Raider.

Woah, i guess that the game might actually be exclusive after all... Well, i guess they got to do what they got to do (to sell consoles).

@zor: It's a timed exclusive. Just like it's always been.

Publishing the game doesn't make it any more "exclusive"

MS published Ryse on Xbox One and Deep Silver published it on PC.

Kind of crazy to see Tomb Raider versus Uncharted, hopefully TR is ready next year and actually has some tombs to raid.

and Ryse

So absolutely nothing has changed? Good to know.

The only thing microsoft could do to make this clearer would be:

Buying The IP from Square Enix

Buying the developer

buying both.

or

Actually clarify that this is a timed exclusive something that is not in their interest to do.

it's news even if it doesn't change much. more so than porn star / gamergate / ddos atack thing.

it's a slow news week

@travan: Resorting to slanders against fellow community members? This is the last place I would expect something like that.