Tomb Raider Underword DLC Was Meant To Be In Original Game, And Other Nasty Secrets

Two apparently disgruntled former Crystal Dynamics employees have confirmed the rumored lay-offs at the studio and dished a little inside information about the development of Tomb Raider Underworld, including how the DLC came to be.

[A] anonymous, former Crystal Dynamics employee posting in the forums claims that the decision to cut the content was made specifically to use it later in DLC.

"Ask anyone who is part of it and if they are honest they will tell you around 40% of the DLC was meant to be in the game itself, originally. But it was decided later on to take out those parts because they were expecting most sales on the 360 and the DLC the way it looked at the time was looking to be a bit 'thin'. So we were asked to cut some parts out to be used in the DLC."

[Dorfdad]

Just goes to prove what this whole Down loadable content BS has started.
The games are done, though they remove things to sell as extras!!

I sure do miss the old days when you paid less and got more!!!

[SL1M DADDY]

Hope they got incentive enough to keep DLC with MS and the 360 'cause with the slow sales of this game and now the possible loss of jobs and income for the company, I would wonder if they are regretting it... As far as I am concerned... You lay in the bed you make.

[lordgodalming]

I'm wondering about the "old days when you paid less and got more." I remember back when Mortal Kombat II came out for the SNES and cost $90 RETAIL. In the "old days" all games were priced differently based on how desperate gamers were to get their hands on a title. This still happens in Japan, where regular games cost about what they do here, and high profile games like FF cost closer to $100 (US dollars).

All that being said, I agree that DLC isn't exactly the best thing to happen to gaming, and I'm afraid it will only get worse.

[Qdog]

I distinctly remember buying MK for 39.99 and 49.99 for MK2 on SNES when it first came out. F-Zero and Superscope, with the lightgun were on sale for 29.99 and 59.99 respectively. I bought them at Walmart in Jacksonville, TX before it became the Supercenter, but at that time, regular Walmart was at the top of the chain.

[poopface1]

I think I remember mario 64, super mario all stars, and Turok dinosaur hunter, costing more then usual. but I was alot younger and have smoked alot of pots since then so im not sure.

[ThanatosDMC]

I'm pretty sure Mortal Kombat II wasnt that expensive.

[Cajun Chicken]

I strongly believe that GTAIV had this happen to it too.

[lordgodalming]

I base this on an old copy of Nintendo Power (the one with Super Empire Strikes Back on the cover) that lists MSRP for upcoming games, which includes a listing for MKII at $90. Certainly Wal Mart is in the habit of lowering prices, although cutting the price in half does seem pretty drastic. Hmm.

[Xbox Street Gang]

Bet they punch themselves in the nuts at night.

[Anon1974]

Who would have guessed that this one would sell better on the PS3? Not me. When you see things like this - and good games like Banjo Kazooie get hammered on the 360 but games like LittleBigPlanet move almost 2 million copies in only a couple of months you have to think developers are taking notes for future releases. If you have a game that contains the words "Gears" or "Halo" in the title, or some macho but mediocre shootemup game - the 360 is your best bet. Anything else, make it on the PS3. The PS3 seems to have higher attach rates for these type of games (see Dead Space, Burnout, Devil May Cry, etc). If they keep growing their install base at the current rate they should have over 30 million consoles sold by the end of 2009 and with the more varied tastes of PS3 gamers, developers certainly have a new market to cater to.

[El_Colombiano]

Wow Dead Space sold more on PS3? Sweet.

[Anon1974]

It had a higher attach rate on the PS3. The 360 version sold a few more. My point was that for games with a higher attach rate on the PS3 if the PS3 keeps growing it's installed base as it is now it will be easier for developers who are making games that aren't necessarily main stream to make a buck. Although speaking of Dead Space, EA has already confirmed that they make the most money off the PS3.

[Shuya]

Ha someone finally had the guts to say what we've always known, ship it incomplete at full price then make us pay for the rest later. This is not how dlc should be done :(

[UltimateIdiot911]

The sad part is picking the the wrong console to make the DLC to. It would have been easier and more profitable to make it on all consoles/PC.

[Megaton]

Makes me sick. I don't even like Tomb Raider, but on principal alone, this is complete and utter garbage. This exclusive DLC nonsense has got to stop. May as well just make the whole game exclusive and save a chunk of your fanbase the ass ache when they find out they can't play the full game unless they own a specific console.

Oh and a big thanks to Microsoft too. This couldn't have been possible without you guys. Please, after you pull out and bust on our faces, take a bow.

[Andras84]

To Microsoft...a big f.you!!! Thanks for limiting our games because you are just to ignorant to see why blu-ray is needed and all those people who say that blu-ray is not needed here is your PROOF that it IS needed.

So thx MS...thank you very much!

[Kamikaze135]

This shatters any hope I had to get this game. Taking things out of a game and putting it as DLC exclusive to a certain console doesn't justify anything. The DLC should be free for both consoles. They also had the nerve to lie and say the DLC is something totally new and different from the main game....seems to me like they're just pulling random words out of their asses.

[Raoh]

the lara croft series needed to die anyway. it needed a reboot like the way gta went from over head view to third person view. (not that exactly just saying that drastic of a change)

dmc didnt do as well as expected. gta4 did incredibly well on both systems. especially for ms in the states but most every where else it did better on the ps3.

i think some of the developers/publishers are misunderstanding the consumer.

for instance. a few ps2 owners bought 360's. that does not mean every 360 owner is going to buy into old ps2 series on the 360. lara croft and strong sales of a few other games proves that.

companies need to stop listening to microsoft's garbage talk and money spending and actually research, talk to and reach out to the gamer.

____________

with that said. i'm glad to see the DLC being exposed. i refuse to buy dlc unless its really worth it or if i really enjoy the game that much. i hope more companies start to fold and have disgruntled employees that are willing to blow the whistle on the gaming industry lies.

gaming has gone so public and mainstream its treated like a wallstreet market. and we are the stock holders buying crappy stock.

________

also more proof as to why blu ray is needed. but people hate sony so much they would rather buy dlc content that should have been in the game that admit it.

[Solotov]

Well, it happens in a lot of games nowadays. That's why I hate DLC. Crap like this makes people want to pirate games.

[Ju]

I am so sorry for Eidos. Not really. They screwed this up badly. I think it has potential, but so many misconceptions. I don't really care. Rented it, finished it, sent it back. Would it have had DLC, a bit more polish, a working camera (!WTF) and Trophies (!!!) I would have kept it...

[Avto]

Eidos is the same as just about every other company, everything for the profit, Sony get's a lot of criticism nowadays, but compared to others they're a charity organization. Eidos made a two very poor decisions here first, a common mistake, get the game out before it's done, they did the same with Anniversary, this is never good look at MGS4 it could have been out in winter but was delayed till summer, to get all the bugs worked out and add extra layer of polish and it worked. Second mistake they made is PS3 has some heritage left by previous Playstations Tomb Raider is part of this heritage, also PS3 is popular in Europe so is TR, so it was always going to sell on Playstation.

[NinjaRyu]

N4G you never cease to amaze me with the amount of stories you have anti 360 or that are anti anything that supports the 360 in some way,shape or form! I was kinda hoping this site would cut back on this kinda stuff but I guess I was wrong. Guess you guys need these kinda stories for every day of the week here. Besides why are their people angry about this Tomb raider DLC on the 360? What about ME(Mirror's edge) DLC that's a PSN exclusive, no one says anything about that DLC!

P.S.@Dorfdad,lordgodalming I agree with you both! I miss the days when you could get more bang for your buck in video games too, but what can ya do, DLC sells! As long as it does that will be seeing DLC missused like this for a long time to come!

http://kevinchiu.org/emote/...

http://www.terminally-incoh...

[JD_Shadow]

This is actually a crack on Eidos and the business decision they made, and ME is getting PSN exclusive DLC because the PS3 was the lead console in that game and it helped Dice out a LOT. This was MS just coming to Eidos with a bucketload of money and Eidos took it and told CD to make up some DLC real quick to fill their end of the bargain. The PS3 and PC owners lost a level because MS had to have their way. This isn't about the "anti 360 article of the week" or whatever you're trying.

Why are you trying that argument in the first place? It has very little to do with this, RELEVANT article.

PLEASE go troll somewhere else.

[NinjaRyu]

A troll I am not however I can't speak for half the comments in here! How do know Sony didn't pay for the ME DLC? Do you work at dice & Sony?

"This was MS just coming to Eidos with a bucketload of money and Eidos took it and told CD to make up some DLC real quick to fill their end of the bargain."

That can be said for any Dev making exclusive DLC for MS, Sony, or Nintendo! Theirs no way to know unless you work with the companies making this deal. The reason why I said what I said in the comment above is because like you said "This is actually a crack on Eidos and the business decision they made".#1 On this subject So far we have someone saying one thing conflicting with what someone else is saying! We don't know who right or wrong yet making this just pure speculation.#2 Half the people in here are saying DLC for this game was made to have Eidos & MS make are quick buck,which doesn't really have much to do with this subject! This is why I made the comment above. So if your call anyone out for trolling on a article, call them out not me, however you won't for the fact they support your console of choice!

Oh & also darkpower, I've seen your comments! I don't think you have the right to call anyone a troll!

[JD_Shadow]

1. You're the only one that brought up the ME DLC, not me, for one. This article had nothing to do with that, and you were trying to say that people were being hypocritical. They were actually talking about the game in which was the focal point of the article, and just that one. If this was an article about ME, you would've probably heard a lot of things concerning that. I'M saying that there was really no other reason why Eidos felt the obligation to go this route.
2. You started that whole thing with "N4G you never cease to amaze me with the amount of stories you have anti 360 or that are anti anything that supports the 360 in some way,shape or form!" One, like I said before, the CD people weren't trashing any system, so you were putting words into their mouths that they didn't say. Two, we don't nearly have THAT many "anti-360" stories on this site. We had just one last week, and that ended up failing (yet the PS3 is doomed stories remain). Three, you whining about those make you a troll, especially when I KNOW you've been around long enough to SEE the PS3 is doomed blitz.
3. Obviously, you HAVEN'T read my comments, or you would've seen one that I just posted at http://www.n4g.com/NewsCom-... .
4. Thanks for your complete ignorance and putting me on ignore (since you JUST posted this and I JUST saw that my ignore count JUST went up to a blackjack).
5. Finally, THIS killed me: "Half the people in here are saying DLC for this game was made to have Eidos & MS make are quick buck,which doesn't really have much to do with this subject! This is why I made the comment above. So if your call anyone out for trolling on a article, call them out not me, however you won't for the fact they support your console of choice!" So wait, I don't call out anyone because they like Sony? You haven't read any of my comments, then. And...how do you know that the PS3 was my ONLY console of choice. My GOD, you've lied right to me that you've read ANYTHING of mine because I've said many many times (and you and the other people that label me choose to completely ignore) of my fondness for Nintendo, as well, and you either didn't see any of those comments or failed to bring those up. And...no one is allowed to call YOU out on anything YOU say? Man, I EXPECT people to call ME out (you obviously just did), but I'm willing to respond and to back up MY comments. More than what I can say about you.

So there you go. And again, thanks for ignoring me. You just showed your true colors right there.

[NinjaRyu]

I used the ME DLC as an example because #1 people on here are saying MS payed for the tomb raider DLC, the same can be said of any DLC.

"the CD people weren't trashing any system". I've never said that they were trasting systems, all I was saying is that this article is pure speculation & is being used to say "This was MS just coming to Eidos with a bucketload of money and Eidos took it and told CD to make up some DLC real quick to fill their end of the bargain."

Also you miss-replyed to one of my comments. When I said "N4G you never cease to amaze me with the amount of stories you have anti 360 or that are anti anything that supports the 360 in some way,shape or form!" that goes for MS & companies that gave them support to the 360, not just MS!

You also say that now I said PS3 is your only console..................once again you misunderstand. I never said PS3 was your only console I just said it's console of choice! You can reply to whatever the hell you want! IMO I don't think it's right for you to call me troll when based on some of your comments I'd read before relpying to you, you sound like a sonyfanboy & you also didn't reply to any the people in this article saying "this is what they get for doing and exclusive DLC deal with MS! That leads me to believe for a sonyfanboy because I see you reply only to MS supportter & call them fanboys yet I don't see (as far as I know at least) reply when & sonyfanboy get out of line!

I find it funny your saying I put words in peoples mouth yet from what I've pointed out your the one putting words in my mouth!

Oh & FYI I'd added you to my ignore list before I'd replyed to you!

Listen I don't feel like being called a liar all day!If you wanna call me out & reply to me on more of a level headed fasion, PM me & maybe we can clear the air on any misunderstanding we may of had. However if you just wanna put words in my mouth & call me a troll all day.......... whatever, I've got games to play!

[KidMakeshift]

That's the whole crooked point of DLC.

The publishers deliberately with hold game content or lock game content to sell to the consumer. It really should be illegal or disapproved by Microsoft and Sony

[rob6021]

If they really wanted to put it in the game, why not just put it in the PS3 version, but leave it out of the 360 one. Oh that's right it would piss MS off i bet, kind of scares me how much power they have.

[The Judderman]

Seems like they wanted to put a lot of stuff in there but could'nt due to the time limit and release date. It definalty wasn't a space issue as i installed it and the whole game was 6gig leaving a couple of gig spare on the DVD.
Still i like the game and to be honest if the DLC is cheap enough id probably get it. Hell just about every developer holds stuff back for DLC so theres no point in just having a go at Eidos,

[3sq]

It is the space issue. All of 360 game disks are only capable of 6 GIG, the other 2 GIG is used to fill in stuff to prevent people from pirating it directly. Still there are other ways around to pirate it but it's more difficult anyway I've never seen a 360 disk over 6 GIG so far, if anyone has, tell me about it.

[The Judderman]

Hardly a surprise, just about every developer does it. If you don't agree with DLC don't buy it.

[sheng long]

DLC is a double edge sword, it's great and some developers embrace to add more replay to their game while keeping it reasonable. I understand developers need to get paid for their hard work, but this is just unethical and i'm certain crystal dynamics is not alone. It's up to Sony and Microsoft to step up and have some sort of control over stuff like this.

[creeture]

M$ is ruining the gaming industry

[Roukuko]

Replay level: "You all know (I hope) by now that the 360 works in such a way that you get something BETTER than level replay, you have Chapter Replay (via the autosaves) which gives you more options than just level replay. This was supposed to be how the PS3 and PC worked as well, and the reason they don't is just a mistake."

Replay cinematic: "This feature was always supposed to be in, but in the end it just couldn't happen, and here's why. All the cut scenes happen in-game, and the state of levels change." "We jammed everything onto the disc we could for the game itself and there was no room for movies. It was a sad day for me, but what else could we do?"

these 2 comments make me regret buying this game on my ps3 shouldnt of fed these idiots money.

[DJ]

Going to assume that since the PS3 version sold more that we prefer to buy shorter games with fewer features. *facepalm

[Official General]

We'll see just how much more money Microsoft are prepared to keep throwing around to 3rd party developers for some stupid DLC to claim that their version of a multi-platform game is "superior", or "the best version to get". I would expect that Microsoft will soon start to really regulate their spending habits, because it seems that their "buy-our-version-because- it-has-exlcusive-DLC" tactics are failing miserably. In fact, these tactics have come full circle and right back into MS to smack it right in the face. The GTA 4 case just proved this - GTA 4 in no way proved that the 360 version would be superior, and I'm sure both the PS3 and 360 versions sold in similar amounts. Did Eidos not learn the lesson from GTA 4? I mean it's been like nearly a year since the GTA 4 has been released and there is still no precious 360 DLC! Nobody even cares about this GTA 4 DLC no more, especially since it looks like some weak biker gang thing. The fact is most average gamers do not care about DLC in enough in general for it to have a massive impact on any title, at least not for a while yet. Anyway Eidos thought that the grass was greener on the other side, they gambled and they lost - and for that they paid the ultimate penalty. Too bad for them that the PS3 version of Tomb Raider sold more. And I have no sympathy for them, after they sneaky way they tried to shaft PS3 owners. Instead they got shafted up the @ass real hard themselves. Eidos, choke on your own medicine motherf*ckas.

And yeah I believe Microsoft are kinda ruining the gaming industry with all their check-throwing to game devs for DLC.It just means that these devs are gonna start downsizing full games and holding out so that they can recieve a nice hefty paycheck from MS for DLC. But for how long are MS gonna keep throwing money around for in this recession-hit atmosphere?

[Yi-Long]

... and makes me glad I've never ever supported this whole DLC-scamming, and never will. In fact, I boycotted most games that even use the whole DLC BS in favour of games that DO offer good value for money.

Ofcourse, there are some exceptions, where DLC IS worth the extra money, but most of it is a complete rip-off and very often smells like something they pulled from the retail-version just so they would be able to make a quick easy extra buck from it.

I'm glad finally some insiders are coming out and exposing this as the scandal it is. No more EIDOS games for me. Ever.

[kingnick]

http://www.gamezine.co.uk/n...

Don't worry I'm sure there's plenty of other things Sony zealots can blame MS for and hell they might actually be true and Microsoft's fault for a change.

[Keowrath]

Metal Gear Costumes and levels for LBP... THAT is quality DLC. The Level cap increase and extra levels in Fallout 3 on 360... THAT is quality DLC!

The end of the game that was so shoddily put out ala Tomb raider underworld... THAT is taking the piss!

DLC can be really good when it's add on content that is extra. But WAY too many dev's are taking libertys with what they give as added DLC. EA Need for speed, more cars is cool... but publishing them at the same time the game ships is NOT.

I have to admit that I hate Microsofts way of making DLC exclusive (I'm looking at you Fallout 3... I really couldn't care less for GTA) but perhaps Sony should take a look at what their console owners want too and try harder to secure the same or their own exclusive content.

Crystal Dynamics screwed up big style with this latest release and sadly it's cost them, or rather their employees.

[PirateThom]

I disagree. I think the exclusive DLC has to stop entirely because it really isn't fair on part of a user base who have paid for the game.

If you look at GTAIV, Fallout 3, Tomb Raider and Mirror's Edge, their sales didn't seem to be remotely affected by DLC, so to me it looks like it's not one platform holder looking out for their users, it's one developer annoying a large portion of their fanbase.

If I pay for a game, brand new, should I be forced to miss out on future content?

I'm actually refusing to buy exclusive DLC on any platform, my own minor protest, I guess.

[Keowrath]

that's mainly what I said... Or rather what I meant =)

I'm really gutted about missing the DLC in Fallout3 as it's my 2nd favourite game of last year.

You're right, EXCLUSIVE DLC needs to stop, I'm trying to be diplomatic in saying that Sony needs to do more to get DLC as well. We all know the reason why GTA on the 360 got exclusive DLC, do you really think Rockstar would have turned down a whole bunch of dorrar had Sony offered the same amount?

As I said, I really would have liked the DLC for Fallout3... Was this Bethesda's decision, "Let's add a whole bunch of content but only on the 360 and PC" or did Microsoft persuade them?

DLC for the 360 seems the norm because Microsoft do everything they can to make sure they get it, Sony just seem indifferent to the whole thing.

[PirateThom]

Yeah, I was more disagreeing with Sony trying to acquire their own content. But I definitely agree they should be getting the same content for PS3 as 360. :D