Investigating the Rumored Tomb Raider VR Project: Fact vs. Fiction
Recent reports have ignited speculation regarding a canceled virtual reality title based on the iconic Tomb Raider franchise, allegedly developed by the now-shuttered Vertigo Games Amsterdam. While the gaming community is eager for a high-fidelity VR experience featuring Lara Croft, our deep dive into the evidence suggests that the narrative surrounding “Project U” may be significantly more complex-and potentially inaccurate-than initial claims suggest.
The Origins of the “Project U” Rumor
The buzz began following a report from MP1st, which claimed that a Tomb Raider VR project, codenamed “Project U,” was scrapped in early 2026. This timeline aligns with the broader corporate restructuring that eventually led to the permanent closure of the Vertigo Games Amsterdam studio in June 2026. According to the report, the project had reached a “vertical slice” milestone-a polished, playable segment used to demonstrate core mechanics and visual fidelity-which reportedly received high praise from both internal teams and external stakeholders.
The evidence presented included concept art and a 30-minute gameplay video. The footage depicts a first-person perspective navigating a canyon, engaging in parkour, solving environmental puzzles, and battling a large creature. However, after conducting our own verification process, we have found no definitive evidence to confirm that this project was officially licensed as a Tomb Raider title.
Analyzing the Concept Art and Artist Portfolios
To verify the claims, we traced the source material back to the ArtStation profiles of former Vertigo Games Amsterdam employees. While the artwork is undeniably linked to the studio, the connection to the Tomb Raider IP remains tenuous at best.
- Felipe Paim de Barros: His portfolio features high-quality concept art bearing the Vertigo Games Amsterdam logo, but none of the pieces explicitly reference Lara Croft or the Tomb Raider brand.
- Davi Van Den Berg: A former concept art intern at the studio, Van Den Berg’s work includes the specific “interactable flower” seen in the leaked gameplay footage. Like his colleagues, his portfolio labels these works as part of an “untitled” or “unannounced” project.
- Thomas Boutinaud: Perhaps the most critical piece of evidence comes from Boutinaud’s personal portfolio. While the leaked footage features a character whose movement sounds like a female protagonist, the concept art clearly depicts a male lead.
The “Lara Croft” Discrepancy
The core of the rumor relies on the assumption that the player character is Lara Croft. However, the history of the franchise makes this unlikely. Throughout the series’ decades-long tenure, playable male characters have been extremely rare, limited to figures like Kurtis Trent (The Angel of Darkness) or co-op partners like Totec and Carter Bell. None of the character designs found in the artists’ portfolios match these established characters, nor do they resemble Lara Croft.
It is far more
The Future of Deep Silver’s VR Ambitions: What Lies Ahead?
The landscape of virtual reality gaming is shifting, and recent developments surrounding Deep Silver’s parent company, Embracer Group, have sparked intense speculation regarding the future of their immersive portfolio. While the industry previously anticipated a robust pipeline of VR titles, the path forward remains shrouded in mystery.
Revisiting the Five-Project Roadmap
A few years ago, the industry was abuzz with the announcement that Deep Silver had greenlit five distinct VR projects rooted in their most iconic intellectual properties. To date, the only title to materialize from this initiative is Metro Awakening VR, which launched in 2024. This atmospheric survival experience, set within the haunting tunnels of a post-apocalyptic Moscow, set a high bar for immersion. However, since that release, the status of the remaining four projects has remained conspicuously quiet, leaving fans and analysts to wonder if the original roadmap has been pivoted or shelved.
The Embracer Group Connection and Crystal Dynamics
To understand the broader strategy, one must look at the corporate architecture. Deep Silver operates under the umbrella of the Embracer Group, a massive conglomerate that also holds the keys to Crystal Dynamics.
This connection has fueled rumors regarding potential VR adaptations of other major franchises. With Crystal Dynamics currently deep in the development of two major Tomb Raider titles-slated for a 2027 release-the industry is watching closely to see if Lara Croft might eventually make a return to virtual reality. While these upcoming Tomb Raider entries are confirmed as traditional flatscreen experiences, the sheer scale of Embracer’s IP library suggests that the potential for VR integration remains a strategic possibility, even if it isn’t the immediate focus.
Seeking Clarity on Development
The silence surrounding the remaining four VR projects has prompted a deeper investigation into the internal operations of the studios involved. We have proactively reached out to several former staff members from Vertigo Games Amsterdam-the team instrumental in bringing the Metro universe to life in VR-to gain insight into the current state of these projects.
As the VR market continues to mature, with hardware like the Meta Quest 3 and PSVR 2 pushing the boundaries of what is possible, the demand for high-quality, franchise-based VR content has never been higher. We are committed to tracking these developments and will provide updates as soon as more concrete information regarding the status of these Deep Silver initiatives becomes available.
