Overview
From Derby, England came gaming’s biggest icon. Core Design’s Tomb Raider made Lara Croft a cultural phenomenon and defined 3D exploration. But success brought pressure—annual sequels demanded impossible pace, quality suffered, and eventually the franchise that made them famous moved to Crystal Dynamics.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1988.
- Location: Derby, UK.
- Known for: Tomb Raider.
- Fate: Closed 2006 (Rebellion acquired).
Pre-Tomb Raider
| Title | Year | Platform |
|---|
| Rick Dangerous | 1989 | Multiple |
| Chuck Rock | 1991 | Multiple |
| Thunderhawk | 1992 | Multiple |
Tomb Raider creation
| Element | Contribution |
|---|
| Toby Gard | Character creator |
| 3D exploration | Genre definition |
| Lara Croft | Icon creation |
Tomb Raider series
| Title | Year |
|---|
| Tomb Raider | 1996 |
| Tomb Raider II | 1997 |
| Tomb Raider III | 1998 |
| The Last Revelation | 1999 |
| Chronicles | 2000 |
| Angel of Darkness | 2003 |
Annual sequel pressure
| Problem | Result |
|---|
| Yearly releases | Quality decline |
| Staff burnout | Key departures |
| Innovation limits | Iteration over invention |
| Angel of Darkness | Critical failure |
Franchise transfer
| Year | Event |
|---|
| 2003 | Angel of Darkness disappoints |
| 2003 | Crystal Dynamics takes over |
| 2006 | Core Design closes |
Legacy
| Impact | Significance |
|---|
| Lara Croft | Gaming icon |
| 3D adventure | Genre template |
| British development | Industry contribution |
See also