Amazon Games boss Jeffrey Gattis has confirmed that Tomb Raider: Catalyst is delayed to 2028, pushing the title past its original 2027 window. The delay follows a similar shift for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, which is now scheduled for release on February 12, 2027.
The news emerged during an interview with The Game Business, where Jeffrey Gattis, Amazon’s general manager of gaming, discussed the company’s broader investment strategy. While the two titles were announced simultaneously in December 2025, their timelines have both slipped by one year.
“We have announced the two Tomb Raider titles. [Legacy of] Atlantis comes February 12 next year, and then we’ll follow on in 2028 with the next one. We’re excited about those.”
Jeffrey Gattis, Amazon Games
The Shift to 2028 and the Loss of Physical Discs
For PlayStation 5 players, the delay to 2028 carries a specific technical consequence. Sony recently announced that physical game disc production for all new games will be discontinued starting January 2028. Because Catalyst now falls after this deadline, it is expected to be the first confirmed PlayStation release in the series to arrive without a disc version, available only via the PlayStation Store and digital retail formats.
The game is being developed by Crystal Dynamics using Unreal Engine 5. It is slated for release on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Luna Integration and Amazon’s AAA Strategy
The timing of the release appears tied to Amazon’s ambition for its cloud gaming service, Luna. Gattis indicated that Amazon wants to build a content portfolio that resonates with users, specifically wanting players to associate Luna with major franchises like Tomb Raider and Bond. By staggering the releases, Amazon can better bolster its streaming service identity before the flagship title arrives.
Gattis believes that rising hardware costs for consoles and PCs may drive more gamers toward cloud solutions. He noted that the shortage of memory components continues to push up the cost of dedicated hardware, making a service like Luna a more attractive alternative for a wider set of consumers.
Crystal Dynamics: Layoffs and AI Development
While Amazon focuses on the platform, the developer, Crystal Dynamics, has faced significant internal instability. In March 2026, the studio conducted its fourth round of layoffs in 12 months. A subsequent wave of cuts in June impacted an additional 20 staff members.
This instability coincides with a shift in production methods. It emerged in June that Legacy of Atlantis was being developed using AI. Jeff Adams, Crystal Dynamics’ director of experience, claimed the technology helped the team get to [the] right answers faster
, though Amazon’s PR team declined to elaborate further when questioned.
Catalyst’s Narrative and Setting in Northern India
Unlike the remake of the original game found in Legacy of Atlantis, Catalyst is a brand-new entry. The story takes Lara Croft to Northern India in the aftermath of a mythical cataclysm. The plot involves a race against notorious treasure hunters to uncover secrets buried beneath a fractured landscape.
The game is described as perfect for longtime fans and newcomers
, representing a bold new direction for the series. It follows a narrative of trust and betrayal as Lara attempts to prevent a catastrophe that could reshape the future.
Conflicting Reports on Official Timing
Despite Gattis’ specific mentions of 2028, there is a discrepancy between the executive’s comments and the publisher’s official stance. A representative for Amazon Games told Gematsu that the company has no new updates to share regarding Catalyst’s timing, stating only that the game is progressing well
.
This tension between a high-level executive’s “offhand” announcement and a formal PR denial suggests a lack of alignment in how the delay is being communicated. However, the pattern of delays—first for Legacy of Atlantis and now the suggested shift for Catalyst—points toward a broader struggle to meet the original 2026-2027 window.
The trajectory of the Lara Croft revival is currently defined by friction. Between the 2028 delay, the loss of physical media for PS5, and the repeated workforce reductions at Crystal Dynamics, the “bold direction” of the franchise is being built on a foundation of significant operational volatility.
