Vertigo Studios Amsterdam shut down its operations last month, a move that officially ended development on a standalone Tomb Raider VR project. This cancellation delays Lara Croft's full debut in virtual reality, shifting player expectations for immersive gameplay in the franchise. The studio's closure means the title will not reach any of its intended platforms, leaving VR fans without a dedicated experience for the character.
Leaked assets reveal Middle Eastern desert setting and traversal mechanics
The cancelled game, internally known as Project U, was built using Unreal Engine 5 to target Meta Quest 3, PSVR2, and PC systems. A team of over 50 developers worked on the title, which ran from November 2024 until its cancellation in January 2026. The project was part of a broader structural reorganization within the studio that led to its closure.
- Engine: Unreal Engine 5
- Target Platforms: Meta Quest 3, PSVR2, PC
- Development Team Size: Over 50 developers
- Internal Codename: Project U
Leaked gameplay footage and concept art reveal a Middle Eastern desert setting with Mesopotamian themes, marking a distinct visual direction for the franchise. Lara Croft navigates this environment using traversal mechanics like climbing and ziplining, while engaging enemies with dual pistols and a submachine gun. These details provide the first concrete look at how the game intended to blend exploration with combat in a VR space.
With the VR title scrapped, Lara Croft's full virtual reality debut is now delayed indefinitely. Players interested in the character must look to upcoming traditional releases, specifically Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst. These standard releases represent the current path for the franchise's narrative progression while the VR project remains in the past.
Source: Report, MP1ST
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