Videogames case study 1: Lara Croft Go

Language

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

Lara Croft first appeared in 1996 Eidos Playstation game Tomb Raider and was the first computer game to feature a female character as the protagonist rather than a supporting role or a secondary character.

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

It was influenced by Indiana Jones and featured the daughter of a Lord and the films like Tomb Raider.

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

It was a video game that you play on PlayStation then it developed to being a movie, stories in comic books and etc.  

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

Lara Croft has been credited with bringing success on the Play Station for the games’ creators (selling 7 million copies world wide) and launching the female protagonist in games. 

5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?

turn-based puzzle video game

6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline) to make the game enjoyable for the audience?

Most stories feature her being stranded on a mysterious, far away island although the location of this changes. Also the narratives feature her transition from a vulnerable girl to an independent, fierce adventurer (hero) and featured  Lara Croft on various missions through settings such as jungles, tombs and jungles.

Her original back story was that she was the daughter of an aristocrat who had a plane crash in the Himalayas, causing her to re-evaluate her life and seek adventure, leading her to become a thief and mercenary, living outside the law. 

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

The genre is action-adventure and involves many conventions of this genre such as fighting villains using weaponry.

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

Lara Croft Go explores the ruins of an ancient civilization in the Amazon Jungle while fighting menacing enemies, overcome dangerous obstacles and traps, and ultimately, uncover the myth of the Queen of Venom.

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

Lara Croft Go explores the ruins of an ancient civilization in the Amazon Jungle , it has a similar setting to the one before because it has a similar theme and character but this one is animated. 

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?  

Over the years the sexualised stereotypes have been reduced over the media about Lara croft and her revealing outfits. 

Representation

1) How are women usually represented in videogames?

They are represented as feminine and they don't play video games or like them. Its also represented as it only for male and videogames are not for them.

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

It reinforces their stereotypes in media as it object of sexual desire. Her body features were particularly exaggerated in early versions of games. She is designed to be attractive to the male audience as she basically acquires all the features that some men would describe as perfect.

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

She subverts stereotypes by being  an action hero – traditionally a male stereotype in gaming.

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

Women are seen in the media as weak and 'only for kitchens and houses' and they believe video games especially that have guns are to be seen as masculine and for males.

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

I personally think that she an empowering and strong character that subverts stereotypes of women on the media and suggest that they can also do such things as fighting and using weapons. However, i think the media is more likely to objectify her and reinforce the stereotypes of sexualizing her and that the game is made to appeal males. 

Industries

1) What does PEGI stand for?

PEGI stands for Pan European Game Information 

2) What is PEGI's job?

European video game rating system established to help consumers make informed decisions when buying video games or apps through the use of age recommendations and content descriptors.

3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?

Square Enix created Lara Croft Go.

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

Lara Croft Go is the combination of two successful franchises – Lara Croft Tomb Raider and the Hitman Go mobile game.

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

Tomb Raider was formerly owned by Eidos Interactive.

Audience

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

It gives them entertainment and also difficulty as it challenges them to get through levels. It will also give them vicarious pleasure to the audience. it may have also personal relationship if any audience played Hitman Go or Lara Croft Tomb Raider  previously as they will have a similar idea to the game. 

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.

people can always play it any time or their free time as an entertainment and fun activity that can be played on  an iPad or mobile phone. 

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

Square Enix designed her to look similar as Tomb Raider and has similar features and animation. As similar backgrounds and setting and similar but different chracter and colors. 

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

Diversion- this is an entertainment game that gives the audience fun and distraction. 

Personal relationship- Tomb Raider fans will have different  but personal relationship with Lara croft than others. 

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

I think  Lara Croft Go is targeted at older teenagers young adults that are males as its adventurous and masculine and also old fans of Hit man go. It tells us that the target audience of her sexualisation.