Crystal Dynamics
Crystal Dynamics is an AAA video game studio and subsidiary of Embracer Group best known for the Tomb Raider franchise, with upcoming titles Legacy of Atlantis (2027) and Catalyst (2027) published by Amazon Game Studios and a live-action Prime Video series extending the IP.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersRedwood City, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Crystal Dynamics does
Crystal Dynamics is a privately-held AAA video game development studio founded in 1992 and currently a subsidiary of Embracer Group following its 2022 acquisition from Square Enix. The studio is the principal custodian of the Tomb Raider franchise, having developed the Survivor Trilogy (2013-2018) and the upcoming titles Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (February 2027) and Tomb Raider: Catalyst (2027). It serves the global premium action-adventure gaming market, with titles built on Unreal Engine 5 and targeting core franchise fans, modern casual gamers through accessibility-tuned difficulty, and entertainment cross-media consumers.
The studio's business model combines one-time premium game sales (Standard at $59.99, Deluxe at $69.99), IP licensing — most notably the Tomb Raider brand to Amazon MGM Studios and Story Kitchen for a live-action Prime Video series starring Sophie Turner — and co-development partnerships, including one with Flying Wild Hog for Legacy of Atlantis. Amazon Game Studios now acts as global publisher across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Steam), replacing the prior Square Enix publishing arrangement. Distribution is supported by mobile and Switch 2 ports handled by Feral Interactive and Aspyr, and by event-driven showcasing at The Game Awards, Summer Game Fest, and Sony State of Play.
The studio is in a transitional period. Headcount of 251-500 employees has been reduced through multiple layoff rounds in 2025-2026, and Embracer Group is exploring a potential sale of the studio. Despite cost rationalization, the studio is simultaneously rebuilding its release pipeline, broadening its platform footprint, and extending its IP into television — a combination that signals a franchise-focused, distribution-anchored strategy under its new publishing partner.
Crystal Dynamics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Crystal Dynamics
- Legal name
- Crystal Dynamics group of companies
- Website
- https://crystald.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Crystal Dynamics is an AAA video game studio and subsidiary of Embracer Group best known for the Tomb Raider franchise, with upcoming titles Legacy of Atlantis (2027) and Catalyst (2027) published by Amazon Game Studios and a live-action Prime Video series extending the IP.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Crystal Dynamics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- AAA Video Game Development
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (51321)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console) (MPAFAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Co-Development, Porting & Remaster Studios (MPAFAAAM)
Keywords
Where Crystal Dynamics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Redwood City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Crystal Dynamics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Video Game Sales: Crystal Dynamics develops AAA video games sold as one-time purchases at $59.99 (Standard) and $69.99 (Deluxe Edition) with early access bonuses. Revenue is generated from initial game sales across multiple platforms (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC).
- IP Licensing: Crystal Dynamics licenses the Tomb Raider IP to Amazon for live-action TV series production (starring Sophie Turner), generating licensing revenue while maintaining creative involvement through Story Kitchen and Amazon MGM Studios partnership.
- Co-development Services: Crystal Dynamics collaborates with co-development partners like Flying Wild Hog on Tomb Raider projects, with Amazon Games serving as publisher. This model allows revenue sharing and shared development costs for major franchise entries.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Edition at $59.99 with base game |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Deluxe Edition at $69.99 with early access |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
Crystal Dynamics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Crystal Dynamics develops and produces AAA video games anchored in the Tomb Raider franchise and Lara Croft intellectual property. Its portfolio spans full-price console/PC titles, remastered classic collections, mobile games, and licensed transmedia extensions (live-action series). The studio co-develops projects with external partners (Flying Wild Hog) and publishes through Amazon Games across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
Product overview
Crystal Dynamics is a game development studio that creates AAA games featuring diverse characters and immersive worlds. The company develops and maintains the Tomb Raider franchise, which spans multiple product lines including core console/PC games (Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, Tomb Raider: Catalyst), remasters (Tomb Raider I–III Remastered), mobile titles (Tomb Raider Reloaded), and the Survivor trilogy. The studio partners with Amazon Games for publishing and Flying Wild Hog for co-development, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 for modern titles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis A full-price reimagining of the 1996 original Tomb Raider game, rebuilt on Unreal Engine 5 with a new Lara Croft actress, a Focus Mode combat system, and expanded interconnected environments. Targeted at franchise fans and new players on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
- Tomb Raider: Catalyst A new mainline Tomb Raider adventure set in Northern India, designed to be accessible for new players while satisfying long-time franchise fans and continuing Lara Croft's story. Built on Unreal Engine 5 and targeted at core gaming audience and modern casual gamers on console and PC platforms.
- Tomb Raider I-III Remastered A remastered collection of the first three classic Tomb Raider games plus all expansions, featuring updated graphics, improved controls, and new challenge modes. Developed by Aspyr in collaboration with Crystal Dynamics and targeted at nostalgic franchise fans and new players exploring the franchise's origins.
- Tomb Raider (2013) Mobile Port A mobile port of Crystal Dynamics' 2013 Tomb Raider reboot, developed by Feral Interactive for iOS and Android with mobile-specific optimizations and multiple control scheme support. Targeted at mobile gamers and existing franchise fans.
- Tomb Raider Reloaded An action-packed mobile game featuring Lara Croft with her iconic twin pistols, drawing inspiration from classic Tomb Raider titles in a globetrotting adventure. Targeted at mobile gamers and franchise fans seeking a portable Tomb Raider experience.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider The third and final installment of the Tomb Raider Survivor trilogy, continuing Lara Croft's origin story across challenging environments including Latin America. A flagship AAA console and PC title sold as a one-time purchase to franchise fans.
Companies that use Crystal Dynamics
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Crystal Dynamics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature3 records
Crystal Dynamics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- AspyrminorAspyr has ported Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, with consideration for porting additional games in the Survivor trilogy. The partnership allows broader platform availability for legacy Tomb Raider titles.
- Epic GamescoreEpic Games provides Unreal Engine 5 technology used by Crystal Dynamics for upcoming Tomb Raider titles. Crystal Dynamics has announced that future Tomb Raider games will be built using Unreal Engine 5, leveraging Epic's game engine technology for development.
- Amazon MGM Studios / Story KitchencoreCrystal Dynamics is partnered with Amazon MGM Studios and Story Kitchen for a live-action Tomb Raider TV series on Prime Video. The series is created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and stars Sophie Turner as Lara Croft. Crystal Dynamics serves as IP holder and production partner alongside Amazon MGM Studios and Legendary Television.
- Legendary TelevisioncoreLegendary Television is partnered with Amazon MGM Studios and Crystal Dynamics for the live-action Tomb Raider TV series, bringing film/TV production expertise to the franchise adaptation.
- Feral InteractiveminorFeral Interactive is developing the mobile port (iOS and Android) of Crystal Dynamics' 2013 Tomb Raider reboot, scheduled for February 2026 release. This extends franchise availability to mobile gaming platforms.
- Amazon Game StudioscoreAmazon Game Studios serves as publisher for Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider franchise, announced at The Game Awards 2025. This partnership marks Amazon's major investment in the franchise following Embracer Group's sale of Crystal Dynamics. Amazon provides publishing infrastructure, marketing support, and cross-media expansion opportunities including a Prime Video live-action series.
- Flying Wild HogcoreFlying Wild Hog, a Polish game development studio, is co-developing Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis alongside Crystal Dynamics. The studio brings additional development capacity to the project, combining Crystal Dynamics' franchise expertise with Flying Wild Hog's development resources.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Crystal Dynamics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Embracer Group: Current parent company and portfolio operator; comparable as the corporate owner providing capital allocation, M&A, and shared services across multiple AAA development studios.
Broad incumbents
- Square Enix: Former parent company and ongoing industry incumbent, publisher of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, broadly comparable as a major Japanese-headquartered games publisher with AAA franchises.
Direct peers
- Santa Monica Studio: Sony-owned AAA studio developing God of War, closely comparable as a premium single-character-driven action-adventure franchise developer.
- IO Interactive: Independent AAA studio behind Hitman and the upcoming Project 007, comparable as a premium third-person action franchise developer with strong IP ownership.
- Ubisoft Montreal: Flagship Ubisoft AAA studio behind Assassin's Creed and Far Cry, directly comparable as a large-scale premium action-adventure developer.
- Guerrilla Games: Sony-owned AAA studio behind Horizon Zero Dawn and Killzone, comparable as a premium third-person action franchise developer using cutting-edge engine technology.
- Rocksteady Studios: WB Games-owned AAA studio behind the Batman Arkham series and Suicide Squad, comparable as a premium third-person action franchise developer with strong character-driven IP.
- Eidos Montreal: Former sister studio under Square Enix and now part of Embracer Group, developer of Deus Ex and Shadow of the Tomb Raider; directly comparable given shared IP history and corporate lineage.
- Naughty Dog: Sony-owned AAA studio behind Uncharted and The Last of Us, making it a direct peer in premium narrative-driven action-adventure development for console and PC.
- CD Projekt Red: Polish AAA studio behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, comparable as an independently positioned premium narrative-driven RPG/action developer with strong single-IP franchises.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Crystal Dynamics social profiles
Digital presenceCrystal Dynamics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Crystal Dynamics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Crystal Dynamics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Crystal Dynamics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Crystal Dynamics
What does Crystal Dynamics do?
Crystal Dynamics develops and produces AAA video games anchored in the Tomb Raider franchise and Lara Croft intellectual property. Its portfolio spans full-price console/PC titles, remastered classic collections, mobile games, and licensed transmedia extensions (live-action series). The studio co-develops projects with external partners (Flying Wild Hog) and publishes through Amazon Games across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
Is Crystal Dynamics a public or private company?
Crystal Dynamics is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Crystal Dynamics founded?
Crystal Dynamics was founded in 1992. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Crystal Dynamics based?
Crystal Dynamics is headquartered in Redwood City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Crystal Dynamics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Video Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are IP Licensing and co-development Services.
Who are Crystal Dynamics's main competitors?
Embracer Group is listed as an others. Square Enix is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Santa Monica Studio, IO Interactive, Ubisoft Montreal, Guerrilla Games, Rocksteady Studios, Eidos Montreal, Naughty Dog and CD Projekt Red.
Does Crystal Dynamics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Crystal Dynamics.
What industry is Crystal Dynamics in?
Crystal Dynamics's product category is AAA Video Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAA, AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console), with a secondary code of MPAFAAAM, Co-Development, Porting & Remaster Studios. Its NAICS code is 51321 and its SIC code is 3944.