CSP - Lara Croft Go

Language

1) Who is Lara Croft and when did she first appear in a video game?

Lara Croft first made an appearance in the hit 1996 game - Tomb Raider. Lara Croft is the star and female protagonist of the Tomb Raider franchise known as a British archaeologist and treasure hunter.

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

One of the main influences for Lara Croft was the character of Indiana Jones who was a professor of archaeology and secretively sought out precious artefacts and valuable items. Made in 1981, Raiders of the Lost Ark told the tale of Indiana Jones and the dangerous and exotic adventures he would go on to retrieve old or lost relics.

3) How has Lara Croft and Tomb Raider moved beyond just being a video game?

Both Lara Croft and Tomb Raider have a wide array of mobile games, comic books, amusement park attractions, toys and movies.

4) What devices can you play Lara Croft Go on?

The game is available on Android, iOS, The Playstation 4 and Playstation Vita.

5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?

Lara Croft Go is an action/adventure platform game in which you have to strategize and solve puzzles in order to pass to the next level, obtain gems, relics, upgrades and outfits.

6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline)?

The narrative of Lara Croft Go starts off with Lara exploring jungles an forests, this is her equilibrium. When she encounters an enemy such as a snake or spider and fights it, this  is her disequilibrium. After she defeats the enemy, she gains weapons and unlocks new items which is her new equilibrium.

7) What iconography can be found in Lara Croft Go? How does this help communicate the sub-genre of video game?

The overall image of Lara Croft exploring and adventuring tombs, ruins and jungles can communicate the action and adventure aspects of the game. As well as the huge spiders and snakes she encounters which relay the unrealistic fantasy aspect of the game as well.

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

Lara is forced to combat and surpass spiders, snakes and the boss spider Queen Venom to upgrade to the next level.

9) What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?

Lara Croft GO is set in jungles, ruins, and temples which is very similar to the Tomb Raider games in which she explored ancient cities and booby-trapped tombs

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? 

Lara Croft first started off as quite a very stereotypical female character with her long hair, pretty face, audaciously generous curves and skimpy clothing, but she subverts the stereotype by being brave and tough and by being the protagonist of the video game for once for once. As the years carried on she became more 'masculine' and strong, taking on bigger and smarter enemies without fear.

Representation

1) How are women usually represented in video games?

Women are generally stereotypically weak, dependent, obedient, submissive and helpless without a man, for example Princess Peach from the Mario games.

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

Lara Croft in her early stages reinforced female stereotypes with her very attractive appearance and feminine demeanour.

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

Lara Croft subverts female stereotypes as she is a female adventurer, she plays the role of the hero in the game Tomb Raider and and she battles her enemies without fear.

4) Why do some people believe the videogames industry is sexist and needs to change?

Because many female video game characters are targeted to entice or encourage male gamers to play. This includes creating characters that fulfil the male fantasy of the perfect woman, therefore resulting in attractive, submissive,obedient women who aren't not realistically or properly represented.

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

I consider both sides because her aim is not to be an objectified stereotype and I believe what drives her is the realistic intent to actually do good, regardless of her appearance. I think she has the power to empower confidence in some consumers.

Industries

1) What does PEGI stand for?

Pan European Game Information

2) What is PEGI's job?

PEGI informs consumers if the content/media they are interested in is appropriate for them or their age group to be viewing.

3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?

Square Enix created Lara Croft go, they had bought the Tomb Raider right from Eidos.

4) What two popular videogame franchises were combined to create Lara Croft Go?

The Tomb Raider franchise and the Hitman GO company.

5) What else is part of the Lara Croft/Tomb Raider franchise?

There are a number of Tomb Raider games and movies aside from Lara Croft GO. For example the new 

Audience

1) Why might an audience enjoy playing Lara Croft Go?

Audiences may play Lara Croft GO as a form of escapism and diversion from the stress of their daily lives, they might also be interested in playing if they are loyal fans of the Tomb Raider or Hitman GO franchises.

2) Where and when might an audience play a game like Lara Croft Go? Think about the device it is played on and the times of the day someone might want to play the game.

An audience may play the game on a PS4 or on their phone whilst travelling or in their free time. The game isn't too interesting to invoke an addiction but it isn't so boring to not bother installing in the first place. One might play Lara Croft to pass the time.

3) How did Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to an audience?

Square Enix designed Lara Croft GO in a third person perspective and the style isn't too frightening or graphic for some audiences it also added together the aspects of Tomb Raider and Hitman GO that loyal fans would find appealing.

4) Which of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory might apply to Lara Croft Go?

The audience will find Lara Croft GO to be a form of diversion from the stress of their life.

5) Who is the target audience for Lara Croft Go? How does brand loyalty contribute to this target audience?

The target audiences could be the Tomb Raider fans and Hitman Go fans as these fans will stay loyal to their brands by purchasing Lara Croft GO.

Grade 8/9 extension tasks

Language

2) Have later versions of the Tomb Raider/Lara Croft franchise featured a less-sexualised version of the character? Does this suggest society is changing in its attitude towards women?

Later versions of Tomb Raider have portrayed Lara Croft to be a strong, independent and skilled woman due to the focus lessening on her appearance and more of the feats she performs and adventures she goes on. This could show the evolution of the presentation and stereotype of women being obedient, dependent and unintellectual into becoming more powerful, confident and capable of most anything that men can do.

Industries

1) Why do video game producers prefer the self-regulation of PEGI to government regulation? Why is video game regulation increasingly important in the 21st century?

The self regulation of PEGI allows more content and is fairer than government regulation. By using PEGI, producers will not be afraid to publish their content. PEGI is also more careful than other regulation systems, for example the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) may class a film including a mild sex scene as a 12 however PEGI would class it as an 18. This will not only keep children safe but also reassure parents that the appropriate regulations are being applied to the media.