Our sources are confirming to us that Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics is looking to finally add multiplayer support as a part of the next version of the franchise to be released. From the whispers that we are hearing, the company has an ad out that is seeking a lead designer to lead the effort to develop this multiplayer support for the Tomb Raider franchise.

If you can get over the fact that Tomb Raider has lacked multiplayer support (and many have asked why this has been the case for a long time) we have to believe that the decision to start the development of multiplayer support could signal the influence of new owners of the franchise, Square Enix, than the desire of the developer to innovate. Square Enix has been reported as targeting the Tomb Raider franchise as one of those that the company intends to make over in effort to resurrect the franchise in a new direction.

As you might guess, it is a little early at this stage to know what kind of multiplayer they are looking at for Tomb Raider; but from what our sources are telling us, it will be a competitive online mode and not just co-op campaign mode. We have to think that anything that could breathe new life into this franchise would likely be a good thing, despite some innovation over the past couple of releases moving the franchise in a new direction; this just might ignite some interest in the franchise again, which might even lead to some sales. This is what we have to believe is what Square Enix is looking to achieve.