Video Games: Lara Croft Go
Video Games: Lara Croft Go Blog Tasks
8) What other characters or enemies feature in the game?
Spiders, Snakes, Guards, Crocodiles, Bats
9) What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?
It's primarily composed of ancient ruins and mysterious temples, set in an isolated jungle environment. These ruins are filled with puzzles, traps, hidden items, and creatures, all contributing to the adventurous atmosphere of the game. The world is presented in a stylised, minimalist design, with grid-based environments, where each level represents a distinct area in the ruins
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?
Representations
1) How are women usually represented in videogames?
Women were typically represented as overly sexualised characters, mother figures, the damsel in distress, sidekicks and love interests etc. In recent years it has shifted to featuring women who are heroes, antiheroes, or morally complex characters and even protagonists.
2) How does the character of Lara Croft reinforce female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft has evolved over time and become a more empowered character, her earlier portrayals, however, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s did reinforce some female stereotypes in the media. These included objectification, emotional detachment and sexualisation.
3) How does the character of Lara Croft subvert female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft, now, in her modern portrayals, subverts female stereotypes by presenting a more complex and physically strong character that is intelligent and capable of leading her own story.
4) Why do some people believe the videogames industry is sexist and needs to change?
Some people believe that it is due to how women are often portrayed within games + depicted in stereotypical roles, such as being overly sexualised. The industry has also been criticised for this underrepresentation of women in game development.
5) Do you think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon or just another objectified woman designed to appeal to male gamers?
Lara Croft can be seen as both as she has been a character that has been objectified + evolved into a strong, intelligent, and independent character. Her role as an empowering icon or objectified figure just varies depending on the version + I believe that she is both, evoking empowerment from women for validation but sexualisation probably sells.
Industries
1) What does PEGI stand for?
Pan-European Game Information
2) What is PEGI's job?
To provide age ratings for video games and apps, make informed decisions about what is appropriate for what demographic and evalutes the content of games based on factors like violence, language, drugs and other harmful content.
3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?
Square Enix Montreal
4) What two popular videogame franchises were combined to create Lara Croft Go?
Tomb Raider (Lara Croft) and Hitman
5) What else is part of the Lara Croft/Tomb Raider franchise?
Merchandise, Books, Comics, Series, Spin-off Games, Movies
Audience
1) Why might an audience enjoy playing Lara Croft Go?
It offers fn and challenges puzzles that make you think. Simplistic visuals and exploration of ancient settings add to it + turn-based gameplay makes it easy to pick up and play.
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.
Phone, Tablet - making it ideal for playing on the go + good for short gaming sessions + during breaks, little free time to relax etc.
3) How did Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to an audience?
By making it easy-to-play, turn-based and challenging.
4) Which of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory might apply to Lara Croft Go?
Diversion
5) Who is the target audience for Lara Croft Go? How does brand loyalty contribute to this target audience?
Language
1) When did Lara Croft first appear in a videogame?
First appeared in a videogame in 1996
2) What classic films influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games?
Indiana Jones, James Bond,
3) How has Lara Croft and Tomb Raider moved beyond just being a videogame?
Has gone on to creating Movies, Merchandise, Branding, TV Series, Music, Culture
4) What devices can you play Lara Croft Go on?
Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)
1) When did Lara Croft first appear in a videogame?
First appeared in a videogame in 1996
2) What classic films influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games?
Indiana Jones, James Bond,
3) How has Lara Croft and Tomb Raider moved beyond just being a videogame?
Has gone on to creating Movies, Merchandise, Branding, TV Series, Music, Culture
4) What devices can you play Lara Croft Go on?
Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)
PC (via Steam & Microsoft Store)
Consoles (PlayStation & PlayStation Vita)
5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?
Turn-based puzzle adventure game.
6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline) to make the game enjoyable for the audience?
The Queen of Venom,
A giant snake-like creature acts as the main antagonist, creating tension and a sense of danger as Lara gets closer to her goal.
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 Queen of Venom, Minimalist Art, Ancient Ruins & Temples, Traps & Obstacles - The ancient setting and hidden relics make it clear that this is an exploration-based adventure game. The traps and enemies add tension and challenge, reinforcing the puzzle-solving mechanics
5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?
Turn-based puzzle adventure game.
6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline) to make the game enjoyable for the audience?
The Queen of Venom,
A giant snake-like creature acts as the main antagonist, creating tension and a sense of danger as Lara gets closer to her goal.
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 Queen of Venom, Minimalist Art, Ancient Ruins & Temples, Traps & Obstacles - The ancient setting and hidden relics make it clear that this is an exploration-based adventure game. The traps and enemies add tension and challenge, reinforcing the puzzle-solving mechanics
8) What other characters or enemies feature in the game?
Spiders, Snakes, Guards, Crocodiles, Bats
9) What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?
It's primarily composed of ancient ruins and mysterious temples, set in an isolated jungle environment. These ruins are filled with puzzles, traps, hidden items, and creatures, all contributing to the adventurous atmosphere of the game. The world is presented in a stylised, minimalist design, with grid-based environments, where each level represents a distinct area in the ruins
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?
Representations
1) How are women usually represented in videogames?
Women were typically represented as overly sexualised characters, mother figures, the damsel in distress, sidekicks and love interests etc. In recent years it has shifted to featuring women who are heroes, antiheroes, or morally complex characters and even protagonists.
2) How does the character of Lara Croft reinforce female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft has evolved over time and become a more empowered character, her earlier portrayals, however, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s did reinforce some female stereotypes in the media. These included objectification, emotional detachment and sexualisation.
3) How does the character of Lara Croft subvert female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft, now, in her modern portrayals, subverts female stereotypes by presenting a more complex and physically strong character that is intelligent and capable of leading her own story.
4) Why do some people believe the videogames industry is sexist and needs to change?
Some people believe that it is due to how women are often portrayed within games + depicted in stereotypical roles, such as being overly sexualised. The industry has also been criticised for this underrepresentation of women in game development.
5) Do you think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon or just another objectified woman designed to appeal to male gamers?
Lara Croft can be seen as both as she has been a character that has been objectified + evolved into a strong, intelligent, and independent character. Her role as an empowering icon or objectified figure just varies depending on the version + I believe that she is both, evoking empowerment from women for validation but sexualisation probably sells.
Industries
1) What does PEGI stand for?
Pan-European Game Information
2) What is PEGI's job?
To provide age ratings for video games and apps, make informed decisions about what is appropriate for what demographic and evalutes the content of games based on factors like violence, language, drugs and other harmful content.
3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?
Square Enix Montreal
4) What two popular videogame franchises were combined to create Lara Croft Go?
Tomb Raider (Lara Croft) and Hitman
5) What else is part of the Lara Croft/Tomb Raider franchise?
Merchandise, Books, Comics, Series, Spin-off Games, Movies
Audience
1) Why might an audience enjoy playing Lara Croft Go?
It offers fn and challenges puzzles that make you think. Simplistic visuals and exploration of ancient settings add to it + turn-based gameplay makes it easy to pick up and play.
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.
Phone, Tablet - making it ideal for playing on the go + good for short gaming sessions + during breaks, little free time to relax etc.
3) How did Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to an audience?
By making it easy-to-play, turn-based and challenging.
4) Which of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory might apply to Lara Croft Go?
Diversion
5) Who is the target audience for Lara Croft Go? How does brand loyalty contribute to this target audience?
Fans of the Tomb Raider franchise and mobile gamers + The brand loyalty plays a significant role as long time fans are likely to be drawn to the game due to their already established connection with the character and franchise + recognition of Lara Croft as a strong, iconic character encourages the loyal fans to engage with the game. Despite the different format of being a puzzle-based game on mobile + the nostalgia too helps maintain and grow the audience for Lara Croft Go.
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