New Tomb Raider game announced with 'a major event in 2018'

There’s more raiding of the tombs in Lara Croft’s future — both on film and in video games.

Square Enix, which brought us 2013’s Tomb Raider and 2015’s Rise of the Tomb Raider with Crystal Dynamics, announced a third game installment on Thursday. “Honestly, we wish we could share it with you right now, but we’re taking a new approach this time,” a statement reads on the franchise’s official Facebook page.

“Driven by our goal of putting our fans first, we want you to know that it won’t be very long between the official reveal and when you can play,” the statement adds. “Our journey together will begin with a major event in 2018. We simply can’t wait to take you on Lara Croft’s defining adventure.”

The game developers launched a new era for the titular heroine with games that focused on a much younger Croft on her first expeditions. Tomb Raider saw Croft stranded on a mythical island and running from a crazed cult, while Rise of the Tomb Raider followed her through Siberia to find the secrets of immortality before a villainous organization.

Camilla Luddington provided the voice and motion-capture work for the character in both installments, which received numerous awards recognition.

Story info and a more specific release date on the third game are unknown at this time. However, one might presume the plan is to time it with the premiere of Tomb Raider, Warner Bros.’ live-action movie starring Oscar winner Alicia Vikander as Croft. The film, directed by Roar Uthaug, is inspired by this new series of games.

Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, and Kristin Scott Thomas also star in Tomb Raider, which sees Croft living an ordinary life in London until the death of her archaeologist father sets her on a path to becoming the daredevil explorer we know today.

The film will debut in theaters on March 16, 2018.