Rise of the Tomb Raider Introduces New Interactive Broadcasting Features, And It Can Get Wild

Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal have revealed some surprise features for Rise of the Tomb Raider, that seems calculated to encourage Twitch streaming. Introducing interactive broadcasting.

Interactive broadcasting is a feature found only in the Xbox One version, as it can only be activated by streaming it on the Twitch app, on something called Expedition Mode. On Expedition Mode, the Twitch livestream will occasionally generate two Expedition Cards, each with a unique gameplay effect. Twitch viewers can vote between the two cards, that effect gets activated for five minutes.

Expedition Card effects run the gamut from the humorous to impactful, and they’re pretty much cheat codes. You can give all the characters big heads, have Lara leave behind a rainbow trail when she walks, or have her constantly on fire.

On the other hand, you can use cards that affect gameplay, such as Timequake, which creates the ever popular bullet time effect so you can line up shots. You can also use Uncorked and Gas Trap cards to simulate the effect of incendiary grenades or tear gas. These Expedition Cards don’t need to be in your inventory, as long as your viewers voted on them.

The Twitch stream will also automatically generate a broadcast frame, a dynamic custom overlay on the edges of your screen, which shares information like your gameplay progress, and your stats.

Will you be giving interactive broadcasting a try? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.