Videogames: Lara Croft Go

 Language

1) When did Lara Croft first appear in a videogame?

Lara Croft first appear in a videogame in 1996 in Tomb Raider

2) What classic films influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games?

Indiana Jones was the film that influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games

3) How has Lara Croft and Tomb Raider moved beyond just being a videogame?
Lara Croft and Tomb Raider have grown into much more than just a video game series. When Lara first appeared in the original Tomb Raider game in 1996, she quickly became one of the most recognizable video game characters in the world. Her adventurous spirit and strong personality set her apart, and soon, people outside of gaming started to take notice of her.  One of the biggest steps in making Lara Croft a cultural icon was the release of Tomb Raider films. Starting in 2001, Angelina Jolie played Lara Croft in two big movies. These films introduced Lara to a huge audience who may not have played the games but still got to know her as a strong, independent character.

4) What devices can you play Lara Croft Go on?
You can play Lara Croft Go on your computer, phone, Playstation,TV

5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go is an adventure and puzzle game

6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline) to make the game enjoyable for the audience?
Lara Croft Go explores the ruins of an ancient civilisation in the Amazon jungle while fighting enemies, overcoming obstacles and traps. The game's puzzles are designed to feel like natural challenges within the storyline. The obstacles Lara faces are tied to her exploration of the ruins—such as moving blocks to uncover paths or using traps to defeat enemies.

7) What iconography can be found in Lara Croft Go? How does this help communicate the genre of the game? Think about mise-en-scene and setting here.
The game's levels are structured with grids, stone pathways, and pathways that reflect a sense of design typical of puzzle games. These grids serve as both a visual element and a gameplay mechanic, dictating movement and puzzle-solving.

8) What other characters or enemies feature in the game?

The main character Lara enemies such as spiders, snakes, crocodiles, jaguars, monoliths, the guardians of the ruins, traps and hazards

9) What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?
The setting for Lara Croft Go is set in an ancient, mysterious jungle filled with the ruins, temples. Lara explores of what seems to be a lost civilization hidden deep in the amazon rainforest. Lara Croft Go emphasizes puzzle-solving, with the environment serving as a series of interconnected, puzzle-filled rooms or areas. But while, Previous Tomb Raider games, especially the classic ones from the late 1990s and early 2000s, were set in large, sprawling 3D environments. These settings included iconic locations like Egyptian tombs, ancient temples in South America, and remote caves. While puzzles and exploration were key components, these games also featured action-heavy sequences with combat, platforming, and exploration across vast 3D spaces.

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 25 years?
Ever since the character of Lara Croft has evolved over the last 25 years as she has become less sexualised such as her clothes as her hot pants have gone as it has changed significantly.

Representations

1) How are women usually represented in videogames?

Women in video games are often represented in ways that can be negative or stereotypical. Many games have historically objectified and sexualized female characters, focusing more on their appearance or outfits than their skills or personalities. This can be seen in how female characters are often designed with exaggerated features or revealing clothing, which are intended to appeal to a male audience. In addition, women in video games are frequently portrayed in limited roles, such as the damsel in distress or the love interest, rather than as complex, independent characters with their own storylines. Although there has been progress in recent years with more strong and diverse female protagonists.

2) How does the character of Lara Croft reinforce female stereotypes in the media?

Lara Croft, as a character, has often reinforced female stereotypes in the media. When she first appeared in Tomb Raider in 1996, she was created with exaggerated physical features—like large breasts, a tiny waist, and a revealing outfit. These design choices were meant to appeal to a male audience, which made her more of an object of desire than a fully developed character. Instead of focusing on her abilities or personality, much of the attention was placed on her appearance.

3) How does the character of Lara Croft subvert female stereotypes in the media?

 Lara challenges the idea that women in media should only be defined by their looks. In the original Tomb Raider games, Lara’s appearance was often the focal point, but over the years, her character has shifted to emphasize her intelligence, resourcefulness, and bravery rather than her physical attributes. The rebooted Tomb Raider games, for instance, portray her as a young woman learning to survive in dangerous environments, making her a more complex and relatable character.

4) Why do some people believe the videogames industry is sexist and needs to change?
Some people believe that the video game industry is sexist and needs to change because it is not fair enough and it is often criticizing more rather than men and that women should not be biased on what they wear and how they act that the female audience may get offended reducing them to play games but mostly men.

5) Do you think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon or just another objectified woman designed to appeal to male gamers?

Lara is or has been both a feminist hero and an figure of objectification ,” says Chella. “She's a feminist hero because she's still here and she was one of the first really compelling female game characters. She's the only game character to transcend games and become a huge pop culture icon,