Language
1) Who is Lara Croft and when did she first appear in a video game?
Lara Croft is an archaeologist who goes through old tombs and temples searching for treasures. She first appeared in Eidos' Tomb Raider in 1996.
2) What classic films influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games?
The Indiana Jones franchise heavily influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games.
3) How has Lara Croft and Tomb Raider moved beyond just being a video game?
Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games have moved beyond games into movies (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider 2001) and producing games for many other platforms(Lara Croft: Go), as well as the constant flow of spin-off titles and sequels to the original game. They quickly created their own franchise.
4) What devices can you play Lara Croft Go on?
Lara Croft Go is a mobile game. It can be played on a range of devices, phones, tablets, laptops, computers, and exclusively the PS4 and PSVita.
5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go is a turn-based puzzle game, it can be likened to a board game. In the game the player controls Lara Croft and in each level, they must defeat enemies; collect treasures; solve puzzles and so on.
6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline)?
The narrative of Lara Croft Go is very simplistic -reflective of its gameplay and aesthetic- its story is about a giant snake which is protecting the artefact that Lara is searching for and this snake chases her through the levels. There are three main stages to the gameplay: The first, whose focus is on nature and is in the outskirts of the Jungle; The second whose focus is on Man and is based deeper in the jungle and the third which is based in the tomb and is focused on spirits.
7) What iconography can be found in Lara Croft Go? How does this help communicate the sub-genre of a video game?
In Lara Croft Go, there is constant imagery of ruins and destroyed temples, which is reminiscent of the original Tomb Raider games. As well as this there are a lot of snakes, spiders and other creatures which further secure the idea that Lara Croft Go is based in a foreign setting. The constant imagery of foreign environments and ruins, temples and ancient civilisations and very reminiscent of action films and games, with most of them taking place in these kinds of locations, for example, Indiana Jones.
8) What other characters or enemies feature in the game?
In the game, there are cloaked figures, snakes, lizards and spiders which can be found throughout the levels, before Lara eventually ends up with the Queen of Venom, a giant Snake.
9) What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?
In Lara Croft Go, there are multiple different settings, but they are all based in the jungle, an exotic location, and there are temples, ruins and old buildings, which are all locations which the original games were set.
10) Read this BBC article on the history of Lara Croft and Tomb Raider. How has the character of Lara Croft evolved over the last 20 years?
As you can see in the above image, the body proportions of Lara in games has become much more realistic and relatable over these 20 years. Originally, the Lara Croft character was seen as a sex icon and was therefore sold as such, but over time, Lara Croft became more of a powerful and independent character, and her body proportions more accurately represented those of somebody who raids tombs for a living. This representation of Lara has not only changed in the games but in the franchise as a whole, with more recent film adaptations focusing more on her abilities and less on the sexual elements that used to be associated with Lara Croft. As well as this, the Lara Croft figurines became much more reflective of what actual women look like.
Representation
1) How are women usually represented in video games?
Most often, in video games, women are represented as the 'Damsel in Distress', and they're usually weak and need to be saved by a male hero. They are usually sexualised and are nothing more than a body.
2) How does the character of Lara Croft reinforce female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft is associated with being very sexual, with a large bust and trunk, and a thin waist, as well as being very flirtatious, reinforcing the stereotype that women in video games are only sex objects and are nothing more than a body.
3) How does the character of Lara Croft subvert female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft is the main character of all her games and was the first female to be the only playable character, putting a woman in the hero's position, subverting the stereotype that women should the ones being rescued, by having a strong, independent woman in charge. It also subverts the stereotype that women are weak since she can kill anything that gets in her way and she is very intelligent because she solves complicated puzzles.
4) Why do some people believe the video games industry is sexist and needs to change?
The game industry is extremely male centred, and a majority of games have male characters, saving female damsels (e.g Mario). Not only this but men tend to be the ones creating the games and not women. Since statistically more men play games than women, men tend to think that games created by, or about women are not as good as male games, which, personally, I believe is an incorrect view on the abilities of female creators and characters.
5) Do you think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon or just another objectified woman designed to appeal to male gamers?
Personally, I believe that Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon because she portrays an independent, strong and powerful woman, who is capable of doing anything a man can do, and more. She is extremely intelligent since she has to solve complicated puzzles. She is one of the first female video game characters to be portrayed like this and, I think, she is extremely inspirational, showing girls around the world that you don't have to be a man to be a hero.
Industries
1) What does PEGI stand for?
PEGI stands for Pan European Game Information.
2) What is PEGI's job?
PEGI's job is to help consumers make informed decisions when buying video games or apps via content descriptors and age recommendations.
3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go was created by Square Enix, who bought the rights to the Lara Croft franchise from Eidos Interactive.
4) What two popular video game franchises were combined to create Lara Croft Go?
Both the Tomb Raider games and the Hitman Go franchises were combined to make this game.
5) What else is part of the Lara Croft/Tomb Raider franchise?
The Tomb Raider franchise has produced a plethora of games, films and action figures. Examples include most recently, the Shadow of the Tomb Raider game; Tomb Raider, the film (Starring Alicia Vikander) etc.
Audience
1) Why might an audience enjoy playing Lara Croft Go?
The game includes elements of action games, puzzle solving games and RPGs, allowing a larger range of gamers to play the game. Additionally, people who enjoy the Tomb Raider franchise or the Hitman Go games may feel a sense of nostalgia when playing this game. The game offers thrills, nostalgia and a sense of accomplishment for the consumer.
2) Where and when might an audience play a game like Lara Croft Go?
Since Lara Croft Go is a mobile game, it can be played virtually anywhere, so when commuting, for example, someone could easily pull out their phone and play for a while, until they're done commuting.
3) How did Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to an audience?
Square Enix used a minimalistic and gorgeous scheme when designing the game, making a simple but beautiful looking game, which is appealing to the eye and creates an uncluttered environment for the consumer to play in.
4) Which of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory might apply to Lara Croft Go?
Multiple gratifications apply to this game, Identity because the main character is a powerful female, and since the target audience is female, it's most likely that they'd relate to her character. It is also a Diversion since it is a game and allows the consumer to play a game and relax while being pulled in by the game's mesmerising graphics.
5) Who is the target audience for Lara Croft Go? How does brand loyalty contribute to this target audience?
The target audience for this game is a demographic of young females. The game is also targeted at people who either played the Hitman Go games or the Tomb Raider games since it is an extension of both of those franchises so loyal audiences of either of those franchises may want to play this game since it offers a sense of nostalgia.
Written By Aishwarya Odedra
1) Who is Lara Croft and when did she first appear in a video game?
Lara Croft is an archaeologist who goes through old tombs and temples searching for treasures. She first appeared in Eidos' Tomb Raider in 1996.
2) What classic films influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games?
The Indiana Jones franchise heavily influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games.
3) How has Lara Croft and Tomb Raider moved beyond just being a video game?
Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games have moved beyond games into movies (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider 2001) and producing games for many other platforms(Lara Croft: Go), as well as the constant flow of spin-off titles and sequels to the original game. They quickly created their own franchise.
4) What devices can you play Lara Croft Go on?
Lara Croft Go is a mobile game. It can be played on a range of devices, phones, tablets, laptops, computers, and exclusively the PS4 and PSVita.
5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go is a turn-based puzzle game, it can be likened to a board game. In the game the player controls Lara Croft and in each level, they must defeat enemies; collect treasures; solve puzzles and so on.
6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline)?
The narrative of Lara Croft Go is very simplistic -reflective of its gameplay and aesthetic- its story is about a giant snake which is protecting the artefact that Lara is searching for and this snake chases her through the levels. There are three main stages to the gameplay: The first, whose focus is on nature and is in the outskirts of the Jungle; The second whose focus is on Man and is based deeper in the jungle and the third which is based in the tomb and is focused on spirits.
7) What iconography can be found in Lara Croft Go? How does this help communicate the sub-genre of a video game?
In Lara Croft Go, there is constant imagery of ruins and destroyed temples, which is reminiscent of the original Tomb Raider games. As well as this there are a lot of snakes, spiders and other creatures which further secure the idea that Lara Croft Go is based in a foreign setting. The constant imagery of foreign environments and ruins, temples and ancient civilisations and very reminiscent of action films and games, with most of them taking place in these kinds of locations, for example, Indiana Jones.
8) What other characters or enemies feature in the game?
In the game, there are cloaked figures, snakes, lizards and spiders which can be found throughout the levels, before Lara eventually ends up with the Queen of Venom, a giant Snake.
9) What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?
In Lara Croft Go, there are multiple different settings, but they are all based in the jungle, an exotic location, and there are temples, ruins and old buildings, which are all locations which the original games were set.
10) Read this BBC article on the history of Lara Croft and Tomb Raider. How has the character of Lara Croft evolved over the last 20 years?
Representation
1) How are women usually represented in video games?
Most often, in video games, women are represented as the 'Damsel in Distress', and they're usually weak and need to be saved by a male hero. They are usually sexualised and are nothing more than a body.
2) How does the character of Lara Croft reinforce female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft is associated with being very sexual, with a large bust and trunk, and a thin waist, as well as being very flirtatious, reinforcing the stereotype that women in video games are only sex objects and are nothing more than a body.
3) How does the character of Lara Croft subvert female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft is the main character of all her games and was the first female to be the only playable character, putting a woman in the hero's position, subverting the stereotype that women should the ones being rescued, by having a strong, independent woman in charge. It also subverts the stereotype that women are weak since she can kill anything that gets in her way and she is very intelligent because she solves complicated puzzles.
4) Why do some people believe the video games industry is sexist and needs to change?
The game industry is extremely male centred, and a majority of games have male characters, saving female damsels (e.g Mario). Not only this but men tend to be the ones creating the games and not women. Since statistically more men play games than women, men tend to think that games created by, or about women are not as good as male games, which, personally, I believe is an incorrect view on the abilities of female creators and characters.
5) Do you think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon or just another objectified woman designed to appeal to male gamers?
Personally, I believe that Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon because she portrays an independent, strong and powerful woman, who is capable of doing anything a man can do, and more. She is extremely intelligent since she has to solve complicated puzzles. She is one of the first female video game characters to be portrayed like this and, I think, she is extremely inspirational, showing girls around the world that you don't have to be a man to be a hero.
Industries
1) What does PEGI stand for?
PEGI stands for Pan European Game Information.
2) What is PEGI's job?
PEGI's job is to help consumers make informed decisions when buying video games or apps via content descriptors and age recommendations.
3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go was created by Square Enix, who bought the rights to the Lara Croft franchise from Eidos Interactive.
4) What two popular video game franchises were combined to create Lara Croft Go?
Both the Tomb Raider games and the Hitman Go franchises were combined to make this game.
5) What else is part of the Lara Croft/Tomb Raider franchise?
The Tomb Raider franchise has produced a plethora of games, films and action figures. Examples include most recently, the Shadow of the Tomb Raider game; Tomb Raider, the film (Starring Alicia Vikander) etc.
Audience
1) Why might an audience enjoy playing Lara Croft Go?
The game includes elements of action games, puzzle solving games and RPGs, allowing a larger range of gamers to play the game. Additionally, people who enjoy the Tomb Raider franchise or the Hitman Go games may feel a sense of nostalgia when playing this game. The game offers thrills, nostalgia and a sense of accomplishment for the consumer.
2) Where and when might an audience play a game like Lara Croft Go?
Since Lara Croft Go is a mobile game, it can be played virtually anywhere, so when commuting, for example, someone could easily pull out their phone and play for a while, until they're done commuting.
3) How did Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to an audience?
Square Enix used a minimalistic and gorgeous scheme when designing the game, making a simple but beautiful looking game, which is appealing to the eye and creates an uncluttered environment for the consumer to play in.
4) Which of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory might apply to Lara Croft Go?
Multiple gratifications apply to this game, Identity because the main character is a powerful female, and since the target audience is female, it's most likely that they'd relate to her character. It is also a Diversion since it is a game and allows the consumer to play a game and relax while being pulled in by the game's mesmerising graphics.
5) Who is the target audience for Lara Croft Go? How does brand loyalty contribute to this target audience?
The target audience for this game is a demographic of young females. The game is also targeted at people who either played the Hitman Go games or the Tomb Raider games since it is an extension of both of those franchises so loyal audiences of either of those franchises may want to play this game since it offers a sense of nostalgia.
Written By Aishwarya Odedra
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