The recent news out of GamesCom that the forthcoming Tomb Raider game from Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix would be exclusive to Xbox platforms caused a bit of a stir among those that have enjoyed the series over its long history on the PC and PlayStation consoles, but as suspected it seems unlikely to stay that way for long.

Microsoft's GamesCom press conference had revealed the game as a "holiday exclusive" for the Xbox, prompting speculation that it would come to other competing platforms a little later, and in an interview with Xbox head Phil Spender, Eurogamer appears to have confirmed as much:

Is there a time limit on the exclusivity period?

"Yes, the deal has a duration. I didn't buy it. I don't own the franchise."

Can you tell us how long the duration is?

"No. It's not because I'm trying to be a headfake on anybody. It's a deal between us and the partner. People ask me how much did we pay. There are certain things I'm just not going to talk about because it's a business deal between us and them. Obviously the deal does have a duration. I didn't buy the IP in perpetuity."

Rise of the Tomb Raider is due on Xbox One and Xbox 360 in the 2015 holiday season.