Several popular games from Eidos Montreal and Crystal Dynamics have reappeared on Steam in Russia after a period of absence. The report comes from a dedicated gaming portal and reflects real shifts in how publishers handle regional availability. The titles in question span the iconic Tomb Raider franchise, including the original six-part saga as well as the fan favorites Legend, Anniversary, and Underworld. In addition, other acclaimed series like Deus Ex, Thief, and Guardians of the Galaxy have also found a renewed storefront presence in the Russian Steam catalog. This development marks a notable change from the earlier publisher arrangements tied to the games.
Originally, Square Enix acted as the publisher for these titles. The company joined sanctions against Russia in 2022 and subsequently withdrew from the region. In a move that signals a broader strategic shift, Square Enix later decided to divest the Eidos Montreal, Crystal Dynamics, and Square Enix Montreal studios to a different holding entity. Industry observers interpret this transaction as a possible catalyst for the reintroduction of the games to Steam users in Russia, suggesting that the change in ownership may enable publishers to re-enter the local market more fluidly.
Despite the renewed Steam availability, it is important to note that not all platforms are aligned. For instance, the Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, and Thief franchises have not yet appeared on the Russian Epic Games Store, which continues to operate under its own regional licensing and distribution decisions. This mismatch between storefronts highlights how regional publishing strategies can diverge across digital distribution channels, even when the same game series is accessible elsewhere.
Earlier reporting from socialbites.ca highlighted related industry movements, including beta testing news for a new Counter-Strike title built on the Source 2 engine. Reportedly, testing was scheduled to begin in March 2023. Within Valve, the project was referred to as Counter-Strike 2, and at the time it remained unclear whether the new release would replace the existing Global Offensive or occupy a distinct niche alongside it. This context helps illustrate how major publishers and developers navigate regional markets, platform ecosystems, and evolving game engines as they balance legacy franchises with fresh iterations. [Citation: socialbites.ca]