Crystal Dynamics, the developer behind the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, has clarified the studio's use of generative artificial intelligence in the game's development. The studio confirmed that while AI tools were employed during the early stages of development, all assets that made it into the final game have been replaced or refined by human artists.
The game, which was recently showcased during a PlayStation State of Play and given a February 12 release date, features a Steam disclosure indicating the use of AI. In an interview conducted during Summer Game Fest 2026 media days, experience director Jeff Adams explained the studio's perspective on AI as a development tool. Adams stated that generative AI was utilized to help visualize concepts for objects in the early stages of level development, particularly when the team was unsure whether to commit traditional development time to building a particular asset. If a visualized concept proved viable, it would then be integrated into the traditional development pipeline, where it would be concepted, built, and finalized by the team to ensure a human-crafted final product.
Adams emphasized the studio's commitment to providing its team with tools that facilitate the creation of the highest quality experience possible, stating, "Our fans deserve nothing less than that." When pressed for further details on how these generative AI elements were integrated into the game engine, a PR representative interjected, indicating that the studio would be more comfortable discussing the specifics after the game's launch.
Ultimately, Adams reiterated that the primary goal is to streamline the creation of high-quality game experiences, making the development process as efficient as possible. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on February 12.