News
Tomb Raider May Be Getting Female-Friendly Makeover
Way to Focus on the Important Issues
by Sarah
In these troubling economic times, a lot of video game publishers have been laying off staff members if even one game sells less than expected, and Tomb Raider publisher Eidos is no exception. After the latest game in the series, Tomb Raider: Underworld, sold half a million fewer copies than expected, Eidos let go of about 30 staff members, and it appears that they may now be looking to start fresh with a new look for Lara Croft. According to the Times Online, a British news site, Eidos is considering a new look for the famed female adventurer, and maybe some new gameplay as well.
Apparently, the next game in the series may just restart the franchise over again, which is compared in the article to Batman Begins and the recent Daniel Craig James Bond films. While I think that this may be a good idea, I don’t agree with the assessment that the reason the latest Tomb Raider game didn’t do well is because Lara’s physique is not at all “female-friendly”. Yeah, that’s right, guys, don’t blame Underworld’s problems on wonky camera and control issues that have plagued the series for twelve years. No, it must be because of Lara’s figure that people have stopped buying the game after numerous sequels.
Don’t get me wrong, I thought Underworld was a solid game, and metacritic averages ranging from 70 to 80 across all platforms seem to echo this opinion. However, the aforementioned issues stopped the game from reaching greatness, something that has also been a problem with the series in the past. I’m a chick, and I really couldn’t care less how ridiculously disproportionate Lara’s boobs are. (Fun fact: Lara’s proportions are actually the result of a design error that ended up being very popular with the development team and thus made it into the original game.) Sure, Lara might look a little ridiculous running around with triple-Es and a 24-inch waist, but if you give me a good story and improved gameplay, I’ll be happy. We’ll have to see whether or not revamping the series will be a good thing, but I haven’t given up on Lady Croft just yet.
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Review: Tomb Raider: Underworld - Xbox 360
Comments
these games have never been good and its not because of female lead character.. its because of crappy controls, camera, boring gameplay IMO and etc.
I'm right there with Voyou. I've tried many times to play the series, starting with the PC versions back when the franchise was first launched, and they've all failed me terribly. They're not the worst, but their certainly not good.
I liked the first two games. Then the series died out and became a laughing stock in the gaming world, both the hardcore and casual side. The last several games have been pretty decent actually. Nothing spectacular, but still fun and playable. Sadly, years of ridicule are hard to overcome even with a AAA title. (Even with triple-E t*tties) They would have to come out with one hell of a game for people to even look Lara's way again. Okay, nevermind, it's not that hard to make people LOOK at her....I meant have them actually play the game...
Voyou, the same things plagued RE that plagued TR (those you mention, most notably, crappy controls) so a "makeover" a la Resident Evil 4 could really help revive the series.
Another problem with the series (from the beginning) was too many sequels in such a short time especially when not much changed from one to the next.
That being said, the 1st 2 games were excellent despite their controls & presentation. Even with all the jaggies and low polygons the games had great atmosphere and were also a refreshing take on the action/adventure genre. They didn't age very well but a lot of action games from 3D's early days haven't either.
If they make a Tomb Raider with a plain-jane-realistically-proportioned Lara Croft AND it still has the camera/control issues of the last few iterations.....
then I predict it will sell ZERO copies. Unless less than zero is possible, in that case I'll go with that....
That is the most dumbest and asinine move by the developers. To make Lara Croft more "Female Friendly" to increase sales instead of improving on the gameplay that has plagued them for years. I'm lost, are they trying to make games or porn?
@ Selly
But, it's "Female Friendly" porn!
If they want to make the games "female friendly" they should make it a shopping/gossiping sim where 4 days a month you go on a MAN BASHING RAMPAGE and destroy everything in your path!!!!
JK :)
how are they going to make it more Female Friendly? Make Laura a house wife? Giver her tiny titties? Make her cry like a girl?
haha.. tiny titties.... haha
The last one sold well, I don't get the need for a revamp.
Apparently 1.5 copies isn't good enough for Eidos, Coop.
It's the problem with games these days - they cost so damn much to make they need to sell a ridiculous amount just to break even.