Developer Crystal Dynamics shed light on Tomb Raider sales during a talk at GDC. As indicated by Joystiq, the recent series reboot managed to eclipse week one sales of all other entries in the franchise. This includes the PlayStation original that first introduced the Lara Croft character back in 1996.

“It’s been the biggest week one sales in franchise history, and we’re only a few weeks into that launch right now, and it’s been the biggest opening so far in 2013,” explained Crystal Dynamics studio head Darrell Gallagher. “So, we’re happy with the outcome. It’s certainly in a place where we feel like we’re on the road to achieving everything we wanted to.”

Gallagher was obviously addressing recent claims by publisher Square Enix that Tomb Raider sales were weak and failed to meet expectations. “Actuals and expectations, I guess, are two slightly different things,” he said. “What I’m telling you is the actuals, and they’re communicating expectations.”

It’s great to see a developer stand up for its work — especially when its work is damn fine. As for Square Enix, you have to wonder what the company’s mindset is to expect much higher sales than the already impressive 3.4 million copies of Tomb Raider that have been turned out since launch.

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