Sexualised Lara Croft Is “Thing of the Past”, Official Music Video Revealed

Rise of the Tomb Raider writer, Rhianna Pratchett, has explained how the improbable boobs of previous Tomb Raiders are a thing of the past, and how the sexualisation of the character could put off female gamers.

The way Lara is marketed now is not sexualized…it’s still beautiful, it’s still strong, it’s still characterful, but it’s not sexualized in the way it was done before.

To be fair, a lot of the sexualization of Lara in the past has been solely for purposes of marketing, and it had a huge sway…As a young female gamer, I’ll admit that I was put off by that kind of marketing of Lara. It was very much like, ‘Hey I’m being sexy for boys here.’ I thought … I’ll go and play another game, then. That’s definitely something that’s very, very much in the past.

Microsoft have also released an official music video featuring a load of footage from the game, and Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs singing “I Shall Rise” from the game’s soundtrack.

Source: YouTube / PSL

Seeing as people can’t keep a control of their tempers in this and other related news posts, the comments are now closed and yes, they will be moderated.

78 Comments

  1. Ahh yes a good example of a woman point of view of making games it because of Anita & other SJW I mean pressure groups that can alter the game, game A was this but game B will be much different we tone down her overtones some what.

    & besides was to tomb raider reboot was played by female gamers I got a female gamer on my PSN friend list & she played the 1st one on PS3.

    I’m all for diversity in games as long it not censored even worse self censored like Devs wanting to make they games what they intended to be no Dev wants to alter content or forced to censored. I found Japanese games to be heavy censored while western games lack so that so unfair & why is that?

    Anyways may Lara be ever forever on our consoles.

    • Because in Japanese culture you can buy panties in vending machines, wank over ladies dressed as schoolgirls and touching virtual breasts is common.

      Whilst over here, you can can’t buy panties in vending machines, going near schoolgirls gets you arrested, and touching virtual breasts is consider weird.

      Hence West games are different to Japanese games. Not that hard to understand is it?

      • damn I thought my obsession for digital boobies was perfectly justified..now I bow my head in shame.
        *clears browser history,renews subscription to What cardigan*

      • On another site recently I said Japanese games/culture was known for being pervy, turned out it was the most inflammatory comment I’d ever made on the internet.

    • To paraphrase what you said on another article alistar6969

      ‘if you don’t like it then don’t buy it’

  2. That’s understandable but shouldn’t Lara be wearing her shorts & tank top when she’s in the hot desert type areas? Her latest attire looks out of place. They changed it to suit an agenda, rather than to make sense.

    • [Moderated]

      • I’m agreeing with you, but you appear to have called me a s#*%lord?! I think I’ll stay away from these topics in future!

    • I’m not sure I’ve seen the attire in the game, because I’m limiting my media coverage of this until I’ve finished the story.

      But a tank top and shorts in a desert sounds like a terrible idea, I’m afraid. People who actually live in deserts, and travel them, wear a lot of cloth. It keeps the heat (and hopefully sand) out and it usually gets pretty cold at night. It also saves her from getting burns all over her limbs and let’s her use her clothes for any survival-reason that may occur.

      • Good point, I suppose Lara in a full shawl type thing wouldn’t be the look they wanted. And all that leaping about could be difficult.

    • No see there you go I was not calling you you are a shitlord go look on the the Internet under SJW check the phrases.

      I should be pissed of by people twisting my words back at me.

      Okay how about this people that easy offended that influence Dev to alter, censored etc etc.

      • Er… it’s very hard to not take “Check your privillege, *******” as an insult as there is nothing indicating that it is otherwise.

      • I mean it with absolute respect, Alistair, but your grammar and lack of punctuation is terrible – at times – and a few of us are clearly not understanding you.

  3. Funny you should say about different cultures yes the difference is western games like GTA God of war etc have naked breasts with visable nipples.

    Japanese games that got the stricter censorship laws never expose any fully expose boob they only crime sexual innuendos.

    But western games is alright to sexuallise in they games but have to toll the line with others that not free market.

    Speaking of wanking of Japanese games have you try wanking with your vita tuffcub it can’t be done unless you have 3 hands or you would drop your vita.

    In fact do you wank over tits in GTA or God of war or fall-out? No is the answer so the same goes to Japanese Ecchi.

    If you do wank over images seek medical help.

    • I’m pretty sure most porn is image based.

      • Haven’t heard of audio porn? If not, i am shocked and disappointed by you Tuffcub.

      • But what do you stare at whilst fwapping?

      • Nothing. You can continue your day whilst listening to audio porn. Make a cup of tea, make a cup of coffee, write smutty articles for TSA, get said articles rejected, sulk then proceed to write even more smutty articles. Play games, watch films. Just don’t go out in public whilst listening to it as it is generally frowned upon. That and i’m not allowed to comment further on it as that would push it into very naughty terrorities.

      • Audio porn? Presumably made by some fully clothed, inevitably unattractive people slapping a load of common items found in a kitchen around while reading some “dialogue” in a very unconvincing manner. Because it’s probably cheaper that way, and quicker, and less to clean up afterwards.

      • Nah, just porn in audio form. And fifty shades of grey on audiobook. What? It is flat out porn. *prepares to be corrected or attacked by it’s fanbase* (also, it got rated a 12 in france. Which is kinda wrong on so many levels).

      • Porn is not pin-ups you wouldn’t class page 3 boob shot as porn.

        HENTAI on the other hand is straight up porn.

        sexy pictures if it from films with real actors/actresses or cartoon characters is not porn.

        I don’t consider God of war GTA as porn same thing with ecchi games, GTA showed a PENIS is that porn.

      • Boobs – Not Porn
        Cock – Porn

        Hmm.

      • I’d agree with that. Porn should be full of cock and not boobs.

        I think we’re in a minority there though.

        And of course a “page 3 boob shot” counts as porn. Even if it’s not the most exciting porn (that’d be something where you have to count the legs and divide by two), it’s still porn. And so not really something that should be in a “newspaper”.

  4. [Moderated]

    • Or another loss for old school sexism?

      • So admiring the female form is sexist now? How about all woman just wear the fucking burka then? Lara became the icon that she is not because she was a complex character but because men want her and woman wanted to be her.

        Social justice warriors out in force today, if you’re not in favour of this then you’re immediately a sexist. Fucking pathetic.

      • Now I have images of Lara swinging through the jungle in a Burka hahaha. Shhh don’t give them any ideas.

        I don’t get it either. What they’re saying is that women should cover up if they want to be taken seriously. It’s like they’re proud because they stuck a pair of pants on her and reduced the size of her breasts.

    • That the best comment ever “how about all women just wear” got me laughing I’m sure Antia never thought of that.

      It indeed would solve the problem but yet I don’t think Muslim would approve.

      I agree with you by the comments made SJW they are.

      • Interesting to see you guys are quick to put a negative group label on anyone who might dare to disagree with your point of view in any way. Curious what label you would use for yourself.

      • I label myself as a normal person who doesn’t get offended by everything and demand everything change to appease the cry babies.

        You labelled me sexist first, remember? Derp.

      • Did I?

      • I think I said it clearly I’m anti-censorship for n a other thread.

        What Label are you I see the bigger picture I don’t forces of content it called growing a thick skin.

        & if you watch enough horror films that you scared of you get a thick skin to.

        Like I said I never said I would boycott the game & agreed with some-one triggered you with that response.

        So I need to shut up let the people bullied the Devs & let them get on censoring the games or alter the game.

        If a Dev says outright this is all my doing & not influence by third parties then that fine.

    • [Moderated]

      • This! Comparing anyone to the nazis because of their opinion is damnright disgraceful and offensive. If anyone that should banned, it’s the entire bloody topic as it is turning the damn site into something that is negative and arguments. And is damn right spam on some articles.

      • You’re both right, it’s a disgusting label to use and completely thoughtless. So dissapointing there are some who think it’s acceptable.

      • Upvote

      • Fuck you, cunt. I know better than you about Remembrance Day, I’m a serving front line soldier with 4 tours under his belt. I’m just against censorship to please the whiny feminists.

        You need to get a life you angry little cunt and probably get a job you benefit stealing prick.

      • Correction, I meant FEMINAZIS.

        Deal with it, shit head.

      • First off, insulting others is never tolerated.
        Second off, i am offended by the use of benefits being used as a fucking insult! As someone that relies on JSA due to me being unable to secure an job before my apprenticeship ended, that is offensive.

        Third off, if you are going to be that way, don’t comment as that is damn right insulting, offensive and immature. For an adult, that is disgraceful.

      • If objecting to such an offensive (particularly at this time of year) term cost anyone their membership, I’d be joining them, and I imagine quite a few of us would.

        I think the charming reply there probably says all that needs to be said though. It speaks for itself and shows exactly what sort of person we’ve got there.

      • [Moderated]

      • Vile behaviour, hope a moderator takes care of this sooner rather than later.

      • [Moderated]

      • Oh, so you’re the one who personally pays for my food then? I’ll give you my right of free speech then. Don’t worry, i shan’t speak unless you give me permission to. In fact, why don’t i become your slave? Oh wait, i forgot, i also paid tax and i also have National Insurance. So i shall say.

        You are welcome to your opinion but it does not mean you can go around insulting anyone you please as we have a thing called being a civilised member. It’s also in the rules and it’s people like you that is making me want to abandon TSA but this time, because of the community. By people like you, i mean people that insult others and are flat out aggressive. If i wanted to be insulted, i would simply comment on youtube.

      • [Moderated]

      • “it’s people like you that is making me want to abandon TSA”

        No! That’s not allowed. You’re one of the good guys. Like most people here.

        This is the only place on the internet I tend to comment on anything these days, because almost everyone (even those I might disagree with) is friendly and polite and puts up with some of my weirder rantings.

        [Needless escalation]

      • [Needless escalation]

      • [Moderated]

      • Bring sexuality into it now? how mature.

      • [Needless escalation]

      • Even the resident nutter days of mine, i failed to turn the place insane! By god, I’ve finally been outdone! :D Wait, i’ve been outdone? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

      • [Needless escalation]

      • Brilliant response lol

  5. Fair enough and the whole reason why the original Lara had massive melons was because of a mistake. Someone accidentally set the breasts to extra large and just went “Screw it, through it in.” hence Lara Croft 90s video game sex icon was born.

    I completely fail to see why this is “pandering to the feminists”. First off, the reboot Lara has been pretty much like this. Second off, they want to appeal to female gamers and times have changed. And thirdly, just what the hell is happening of late? Seems to be an increase of rather negative posts of late or posts that could turn nasty.

    • Yeah, seem to have some very angry comments on here recently. People are quick to show hate over the smallest thing, it is worrying.

      They’re video games, chill out, have fun.

      • And turn your hate towards Justin Beiber instead. I am of course, joking.

        Just calm down, everyone and enjoy your games. It’s also kinda making me not want to comment on some stories due to the sheer amount of negative posts. :-/

      • I don’t blame you, jumping into a tidal wave of hate and negativity is no fun.

      • kinda makes me just want to go “Sod this, i’m outta here.” That and it seems even being silly is no longer viable due to angry or negative posts finding a way to derail it. :(

      • Can’t believe i would ever say this but i miss the odd aggressive fanboy. At least, they were easy to deal with and rarely caused much fuss before being banned. :O

      • Plenty of those on the Eurogamer comments section.

  6. I’m not sure why some folks see this change as a bad thing. Lara is sexier than ever in my book, now that she’s portrayed as a more belivable human character.

    • She is rather sexy and having large breasts would affect the player’s ability to not stare at her for hours on end before realising that there is the internet and proceed to raid the google images for her tomb.

    • Christ… thank god for a rational comment. Couldn’t agree more. The objectification and hilarious representation of a woman (in Lara Croft form) was a bit pathetic to be honest. At least now we can actually believe her to be resembling a human being, both mentally and physically.

      Games are maturing in many ways. Sad that the audience is dragging its heals a bit.

      • I agree and it’s only in the past decade that gaming has gone from that small hobby that was starting to grow to a multi-million industry that is exploring various ways to make games.

        That and Lara Croft the reboot has a lot of potential. I mean, we have Nathan Drake, who stole Lara’s crown so it’s only natural that she drops the sex icon act and compete with him for who is the best at what they do.

      • Indeed, well said guys. Maybe we can even have a game that stars both Drake & Croft one day. You never know.

      • That won’t happen as Elana and Chloe may get really jealous. That and Nolan North would most likely insist of voicing Lara Croft just so he can claim to have voiced every main character in that genre. Hell, i won’t be surprised if it turns out UC4 is actually Nolan North and Troy Baker’s story of how they spent the summer together. But back on topic, i would love to see Uncharted and Tomb Raider cross over. Unfortunately, it seems that the current timed exclusive crap could be the norm for every TR game and i don’t think Naughty Dog would be willing to have to pay to do a crossover. That and i think they intend to end Uncharted after 4 so that they can focus on a new IP.

      • You’re right, but you have to admit, it could be awesome. Maybe in a parallel dimension somewhere where companies are more interested in working together and mixing fictional characters. Who Framed Roger Rabbit style.

      • It would and would be very interesting to see the two interact. Or they just have sex and the entire game is just a dating simulator that features Drake and Croft.

  7. These guys are absolute hypocrites if they think the character is no longer sexualised. She’s more sexualised than she ever was in Legend, Anniversary or Underworld. Just because she’s wearing pants and covered in mud doesn’t make her less attractive (probably more so). The sexualisation of the character may not be as obvious now as it was in the original PS1 games but it’s still there. From the soft, sultry way in which Luddington delivers her lines, to the exaggerated gasps and groans, to the various camera angles which highlight her bosom or perfectly pert ass.

    If they really cared about this issue, she’d be a plain Jane. Not a more attractive, more vulnerable Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games.

    • They don’t. She even opened with how it wasn’t being sexualised in the way it was being done before. She didn’t say it wasn’t being done at all and she recognises that.

      The developers are clearly doing things less clumsily these days and it’s good to see. Not just that but it’s lovely seeing Lara fleshed out (ahem) with a personality that we can invest in, coupled with an attractive physical demeanour.

  8. I want to ask people here a serious question do you what Dev to do they games that they intended & not be Influence by third parties.

    Or are you the I don’t give a dam I just want to play a game group.

  9. Yeah. Another attempt to try and steer the publics understanding of expression and content of pop fiction as relative to the real world. That emperor is butt nacked.

    Just saying “don’t like don’t buy it” and “It’s just a game”, doesn’t fit in with a problem to be adressed. If it’s just a game (as in – it’s not that important) then there is no need to have web sites and fora about games in the first place.

    And the reason why we’re not buying (into) it, is because we feel there is an issue with the subject. That doesn’t make negative comments about it less valid. When a gaming franchise is being glorified for something it in my book clearly isn’t, I need to react. I actually feel that it’s my duty. Ignorrance (and indolence) isn’t bliss.

  10. It called freedom of expression the SJWs are what moral police are to oppress saying nasty stuff to make people feel guilty.

    So in a real world people that okay that Devs to be feel guilty what they put out what free market says the SJWs if I’m offended you should not play that offended game.

    You right I do not need to buy it I do not buy beyond 2 souls or he censored South Park the stick of truth another game censored in EU but not in NA.

    I never said I would boycott the game didn’t I.

    • you know why they didn’t have Jodie’s breasts showing in Beyond?

      because Ellen Page didn’t want them to.
      there was no outside influence.
      the only agenda was Ellen Page not wanting pictures of her naked going around.

      but no, keep believing it’s the women out to get you.

      • I didn’t actually know that. I thought it was Germany being Germany about the issue.

        Good to see an actor/actress’s wishes being fufilled. :)

    • “freedom of expression” that only works one way, I presume? People aren’t allowed the opinion that something isn’t really what they want, or find it offensive?

      Maybe if the developers feel guilty about it, that’s for a good reason? If someone points it out and they think about it and decide “Yes, that really isn’t the best idea, we’ll remove it” that’s actually a good thing? They’re also quite entitled to ignore all those potential customers and keep it in.

      I’ve got absolutely no problem with either outcome. You seem to think only one option is acceptable, which is quite conveniently the one you want.

      • Plus it adds nothing to the story. I mean, all it is just a short shower scene and if i recall correctly, it was just to give Jodie a break.

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