Tomb Raider - Audience issues and debates
Questions to consider:
• Who is the target audience for this game? Has it changed from the previous games in the franchise?
• Is it gender biased?
• Does it provide a positive female role model?
• Does the user identify with the character of Lara Croft?
• Does it sexualise Lara in order to appeal to men?
• What is the preferred reading?
• How much of the game’s success is due to its groundbreaking 3D graphics, audio, challenging strategy and game-play?
• How has the marketing of the game targeted its audience?
Gender split: 80/20 male/female
Age certificate: 18
• Who is the target audience for this game? Has it changed from the previous games in the franchise?
• Is it gender biased?
• Does it provide a positive female role model?
• Does the user identify with the character of Lara Croft?
• Does it sexualise Lara in order to appeal to men?
• What is the preferred reading?
• How much of the game’s success is due to its groundbreaking 3D graphics, audio, challenging strategy and game-play?
• How has the marketing of the game targeted its audience?
Gender split: 80/20 male/female
Age certificate: 18
Issues and debates #1 - violence
• Lara has an exceptionally high level of combat skill, particularly with firearms
• The first two sequels of the series portray the character as being increasingly bloodthirsty and occasionally as not having the option to avoid lethal force against "human" characters.
• Tomb Raider III was heavily criticized for showing Lara fighting security guards and military police officers.
• Angel of Darkness introduced several "stealth kill" moves for Lara, intended for use on humans.
• Book and film adaptations showed Lara as a killer.
• Anniversary: Lara looks at her hands after killing a human for the first time, representing the first time she has had blood on her hands. "We wanted to make Lara's first kill more meaningful".
• In Underworld, Lara mainly attacked big cats and other predators, always expressing remorse for her actions and only doing so in self-defence
• The first two sequels of the series portray the character as being increasingly bloodthirsty and occasionally as not having the option to avoid lethal force against "human" characters.
• Tomb Raider III was heavily criticized for showing Lara fighting security guards and military police officers.
• Angel of Darkness introduced several "stealth kill" moves for Lara, intended for use on humans.
• Book and film adaptations showed Lara as a killer.
• Anniversary: Lara looks at her hands after killing a human for the first time, representing the first time she has had blood on her hands. "We wanted to make Lara's first kill more meaningful".
• In Underworld, Lara mainly attacked big cats and other predators, always expressing remorse for her actions and only doing so in self-defence
Is the game ‘too’ violent?
Consider the following when answering...
Consider the following when answering...
- Significant attention given to ‘first kill’ in marketing.
- http://thefinalhoursoftombraider.com/ - video 2
- High body count – no longer just animals
- 18 Certificate for first time
- ‘Are we growing weary...?’
Issues and Debates #2 – Lara as sex object
Do you agree with any of the points made in the articles?
Is Lara objectified?
Does the ‘rape’ scene affect her representation in the game?
How does her appearance and behaviour add to her representation in this game? How does it compare to previous games and Lara as a brand/icon?
Is Lara objectified?
Does the ‘rape’ scene affect her representation in the game?
How does her appearance and behaviour add to her representation in this game? How does it compare to previous games and Lara as a brand/icon?