# Crystal Dynamics

> American video game developer

**Wikidata**: [Q928122](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q928122)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Dynamics)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/crystal-dynamics

## Summary  
Crystal Dynamics is an American video‑game developer founded in 1992 by David Shannon Morse. Based in Redwood City, California, the studio creates titles for the video‑game industry and has been owned successively by Square Enix (1998‑2022) and Embracer Group (2022‑present).

## Key Facts  
- **Founded:** 1992, by David Shannon Morse【inception】.  
- **Headquarters:** Redwood City, California, USA (1400A Seaport Blvd, Suite 300)【headquarters】.  
- **Industry:** Video‑game development (video‑game industry)【industry】.  
- **Legal form:** Subsidiary company【legal_form】.  
- **Ownership timeline:** Owned by Square Enix from 1998 until 2022; owned by Embracer Group from 2022 onward【owned_by】.  
- **Parent organisations:** Eidos Interactive (1998‑2022) then CDE Entertainment (from 26 August 2022)【parent_org】.  
- **Key product:** Developed *Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration*【Created / Developed by】.  
- **Official website:** https://www.crystaldynamics.com/ (English)【website】.  
- **Social media presence (2023):** Twitter @CrystalDynamics (≈ 87 k followers), Instagram @crystaldynamics, YouTube channel “CrystalDynamicsGames” (ID UC4D7UmPJL66nWPww4u9cgNw)【twitter, instagram, youtube_channel_id】.  

## FAQs  
### Q: Who founded Crystal Dynamics?  
**A:** Crystal Dynamics was founded in 1992 by David Shannon Morse, a co‑founder of Amiga Corporation.  

### Q: Which companies have owned Crystal Dynamics?  
**A:** Square Enix owned the studio from 1998 until 2022. In 2022 ownership transferred to Embracer Group.  

### Q: What notable games has Crystal Dynamics created?  
**A:** Among its most recognized works is the *Tomb Raider* series, including the recent *Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration*.  

### Q: Where is Crystal Dynamics headquartered?  
**A:** The company’s headquarters are in Redwood City, California, United States.  

### Q: How can I follow Crystal Dynamics online?  
**A:** Official channels include Twitter @CrystalDynamics, Instagram @crystaldynamics, YouTube “CrystalDynamicsGames”, and the corporate website.  

## Why It Matters  
Crystal Dynamics has been a pivotal developer in the modern video‑game landscape for over three decades. By delivering high‑profile franchises such as *Tomb Raider*, the studio has helped shape action‑adventure gameplay, narrative design, and cinematic storytelling in interactive media. Its long‑standing partnerships with major publishers—first through Square Enix’s Eidos Interactive and later Embracer Group—illustrate the strategic importance of mid‑size developers that can both innovate and reliably execute large‑scale projects. The company’s work influences industry standards for graphics, motion capture, and cross‑platform releases, making it a key player for gamers, developers, and investors tracking trends in entertainment technology.  

## Notable For  
- **Tomb Raider franchise development**, including anniversary releases that celebrate the series’ legacy.  
- **Transition of ownership** from a Japanese giant (Square Enix) to a European conglomerate (Embracer Group), reflecting global consolidation in gaming.  
- **Sustained operation** since 1992, making it one of the longest‑running independent‑origin studios in the U.S. market.  
- **Robust digital presence**, with a combined social‑media following exceeding 80 k across platforms as of 2023.  
- **Subsidiary status** that enables access to larger publishing resources while retaining creative autonomy.  

## Body  

### History  
- **1992:** Crystal Dynamics is incorporated in the United States, founded by David Shannon Morse.  
- **1998:** Acquired by Square Enix, becoming part of the Eidos Interactive umbrella.  
- **2022:** Ownership shifts to Embracer Group; parent organisation changes to CDE Entertainment on 26 August 2022.  

### Corporate Structure  
- **Legal form:** Operates as a subsidiary company.  
- **Parent organisations:**  
  - *1998‑2022:* Eidos Interactive (Square Enix subsidiary).  
  - *2022‑present:* CDE Entertainment (Embracer Group).  
- **Industry classification:** Video‑game developer within the broader video‑game industry.  

### Products & Projects  
- **Major titles:** Known for *Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration* and other entries in the *Tomb Raider* series.  
- **Development focus:** Action‑adventure and narrative‑driven games for multiple platforms.  

### Online & Social Presence  
- **Website:** https://www.crystaldynamics.com/ (English).  
- **Twitter:** @CrystalDynamics (≈ 87 k followers, 2023).  
- **Instagram:** @crystaldynamics.  
- **YouTube:** “CrystalDynamicsGames” (Channel ID UC4D7UmPJL66nWPww4u9cgNw).  
- **Other platforms:** Facebook, Reddit, Twitch, and Tumblr accounts listed under corporate IDs.  

### Identifiers & References  
- **Wikidata ID:** (not provided directly; can be linked via Wikipedia).  
- **ISNI:** 0000000096257038.  
- **VIAF:** 141011824.  
- **Freebase:** /m/05hlmz.  
- **Various industry IDs:** VGC 1693, GameFAQs 6377, MobyGames 1281, etc.  

## Schema Markup  
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Crystal Dynamics",
  "description": "American video game developer founded in 1992 and currently owned by Embracer Group.",
  "url": "https://www.crystaldynamics.com/",
  "sameAs": [
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  ],
  "additionalType": "VideoGameDeveloper"
}

## References

1. LastDodo
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
6. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Crystal_Dynamics-K4ZNZV)
7. VideoGameGeek
8. Video Games Chronicle