Crystal Dynamics has confirmed that the Tomb Raider franchise is very much alive and well. Lara Croft will be returning to a video game screen near you, for an all-new adventure, Lara Croft and The Guardian of Light. It is understood the next saga will be a download-only title coming to as yet unspecified platforms in 2010.

Darrell Gallagher, General Manager of Crystal Dynamics, frothed with excitement during the reveal. “This is a really exciting project for Crystal Dynamics, we have created something completely new and very different to what people might be expecting.”

Those of you lucky enough to be heading to next week’s Game Developers Conference will be able to catch the first glimpse of the game. One of the aims of the new game might be to collect hair dye and Botox – given the increasing age of our heroine. Also, keep your eyes peeled for stalking tigers and the odd marauding tyrannosaurus rex!