OFFICIAL: TOBY GARD TAPS TOMB RAIDER 7
Copyright 2004 www.tombraiderchronicles.com

[ August 6th2004 ]

Eidos has confirmed Toby Gard - the original architect behind video-game heroine Lara Croft - will join Crystal Dynamics and spearhead the Tomb Raider 7 creative team. In a statement to www.tombraiderchronicles.com this morning, Eidos said: "Toby will complement the existing talented team creating the next Tomb Raider title. As the creator of the Lara Croft character, he brings a unique perspective to the development process."

The statement continues: "The Tomb Raider team is drawing upon a great deal of research, consumer and editorial feedback, and game development talent to build a title they'll be proud of.. and one you'll want to play."

Gard, responsible for creating Britain's most explosive digital export to date while serving with Derbyshire-based studio Core Design in 1995, abandoned his role as lead designer after a series of creative differences shortly after London-based publisher Eidos acquired Core Design following a series of takeovers and mergers. Gard went on to form Confounding Factor and spent years developing Galleon, a swashbuckling high-seas adventure game that finally shipped to retailers earlier this week.

Toby Gard's new role will be "senior designer" at Eidos-owned Crystal Dynamics, the Californian-based studio charged with rejuvenating the Tomb Raider video-game franchise.