The Final Hours of Tomb Raider Begin With an Introduction to the New Lara Croft

Wow.  The overwhelming takeaway from this video is that Levi fella is ridiculously bad at flirting with ladies.  I love how he can't even pretend to concentrate on his job once he meets "the new Lara Croft". 

The video is heavily produced and you can tell they are being very careful about the spin and inference of every word. I suppose this is better then the debacle of being flippant and unthinking about what was shown or said, but the interview was dry and boring. They also seem very determined to ONLY put women out front from now on. If the game is being described it will be an actress or a female employee. Any slip ups are now from the mouths of women, their thinking being women are not sexist against themselves.

I think they screwed up with this story and much of the imagery. An island that has beaches that look like environmental disasters covered in broken machines, who inhabitants are just rapists, and who's history is dark without any light was just a foolish stupid mistake.

It will be an interesting juxtaposition to see what Far Cry 3 does and what Tomb Raider does with its islands, stories, and game play. So far TR looks like a depressing downer of a game.

I honestly think once you're an hour in on this game, it will not seem like a radically different shift from any of the previous Tomb Raider re-imaginings, and there have been several. Nothing in this segment convinced me that the acting will either blow me away or disappoint.

That's not saying anything negative about the game, which looks fun. It is saying something about how they pretty much needed to build controversy for a game not that different from other AAA video games with voice actors and mo-cap in order to sell it. Gender-based controversy is this year's Frostbite Engine.

So... Is she british?

British Heroin

@Phr4nk0 said:

@Kierkegaard: If you were thinking my whole rant was an attack on just you and/or your comment than I apologize, it's not. I've been behind on Bombcasts and have been marathoning through a bunch and the constant negativity about the exploitativeness of this game has just rubbed me the wrong way. To me it seems people are stretching to see something that isn't ment to be there just to have some sort of controversy to talk about.

My statements were more of a generalisation and I only really quoted that tree of comments for @Binman88 second sentance which was one of the most sensible questions that I've seen posed on the issue. Also I don't think the character's sexyness was a focus of the first video, it was a throwaway line ment as a joke and "haha, look we're having a real conversation and not at all just focusing on the talking points marketing approved".

Another item has just been added to the long list of reasons I posted - Patricks new article about Rhianna Pratchett being the one writing the story in which he says; "Knowing a woman was chiefly involved in setting the tone and establishing the context of this new game, one that finds Lara Croft put in harrowing, formative situations, would have framed the conversation differently." I fail to see how the fact the story is now confirmed to have been written by a women makes any difference in any of the topics the crew have been mulling about. The fact that the sole differentiator is the sex of the author shows at the very least a subconsious fixation on sexism.

Yeah, I just found it a weird line in the context of this intense story. I'll let that lie, though.

I completely agree with you about that line from Patrick. And I think I've been consistent on this, too. We can't judge a game as having poorly written story, from men or women, until we know the extent of that story from actually playing through it. I'm trying to point out what I see as pointlessly bullheaded marketing since, eh, I think it's important to point out mistakes rather than gloss over them. That the writer is a woman does not make any bad, sexist writing or character development in there (hypothetically) any less bad or sexist. That she wrote games before this that did not fall into these overtones does give a different spin, though--that is, the content of her portfolio, not her gender, creates a difference.

The reason why sexism and racism are different than merely person A saying something mean to person B is because they are institutionalized, social problems. They are systematic belittlings of minority races or women by the people in power, white males. So it is completely and sadly possible for people to be sexist or racist against their own sex or race as it is, in part, in grown in our culture.

I'm hoping Pratchett is writing a good story and this is a good game and all of this talk will be an important break down of marketing rather than the game. But it is still important. The RE5 stuff was, too. Games are growing up. We should expect that they, even in their marketing, promote a fair, equitable, progressed culture.

@Kierkegaard: If you were thinking my whole rant was an attack on just you and/or your comment than I apologize, it's not. I've been behind on Bombcasts and have been marathoning through a bunch and the constant negativity about the exploitativeness of this game has just rubbed me the wrong way. To me it seems people are stretching to see something that isn't ment to be there just to have some sort of controversy to talk about.

My statements were more of a generalisation and I only really quoted that tree of comments for @Binman88 second sentance which was one of the most sensible questions that I've seen posed on the issue. Also I don't think the character's sexyness was a focus of the first video, it was a throwaway line ment as a joke and "haha, look we're having a real conversation and not at all just focusing on the talking points marketing approved".

Another item has just been added to the long list of reasons I posted - Patricks new article about Rhianna Pratchett being the one writing the story in which he says; "Knowing a woman was chiefly involved in setting the tone and establishing the context of this new game, one that finds Lara Croft put in harrowing, formative situations, would have framed the conversation differently." I fail to see how the fact the story is now confirmed to have been written by a women makes any difference in any of the topics the crew have been mulling about. The fact that the sole differentiator is the sex of the author shows at the very least a subconsious fixation on sexism.

I'm not sure about... her accent. Is something wrong with me?

Fuck yeah!

@Kierkegaard: My response was to your initial comment; I'm not generalising. You didn't like that the man made a light-hearted comment about Lara's sexual attractiveness, then you proceeded to use his remark as an indication of her worth as a person. That's your problem.

@Phr4nk0 said:

@Binman88 said:

@Kierkegaard said:

@Benny said:

I quite liked that she said "she fights for what she believes in and is courageous and I think those things are sexy" cause it could be said about a guy too (replacing she with he obviously) unlike "you'll want to protect her."...

Why does being sexy matter? Nolan North isn't asked, "Man, where's Drake's shirtless scene?" but this poor excuse for an interviewer says he wishes "the shorts" weren't gone? Damn it, Crystal D. You want to make Lara a person? Stop objectifying her and this actress.

It seems to matter more to you! Since when does being sexy disqualify someone from being a person?

Boom, that right there is the be all and end all to all this bullshit that's been going on for far too long. All the white nights parading about, complaining about objectification of women in video games, how the groans are sexual sounding, that Lara is getting beaten up too much are simply holding up and forwarding the very same stereotypes and misogyny they presume to be against. You can be sexy and intelligent, you can have big boobs and be a strong character, assuming otherwise without any real proof (game's not out yet) just shows you hold those views yourself.

Man, you guys are straw manning so hard right now! You're extending my argument to a universal stance that would be ridiculous rather than talking about the particular instance. A 21 year old English heiress finding her courage and self worth through facing hardship is a fine premise. It's been done to death in may forms, but it's fine.

Having that young adult's sexiness be a focus of your first behind the scenes video is weird. It's just weird. Lara's bravery and courage do not make her sexy as much as they make her an interesting rounded character if done right.

C'mon. Draw out the comparisons. Drake's courage and bravery and sensitivity may very well make him sexy, but that's not how he was marketed. Dom's loyalty and forthrightness may make him sexy, but that's not how he was marketed.

If the point is Lara's mind, why are they asking about her shorts and her sexiness? It assumes the audience of this video are not only men, but sexist men. It assumes those who play the game are sexist men.

It's insulting to men and women and it's so lazy! Maybe the game is actually a great breakdown of gender norms and sexual empowerment. But they are selling it as the exact opposite. And that's sad.

They should have got Ellen Page. I'd want to protect her, alright.

As an aside, the new Crystal Dynamics logo is booooring. I preferred the old one.

@LikeaSsur said:

I'll never be able to figure out the negativity surrounding this game.

I agree. Folks need to relax a bit. This game looks like it could be a lot of fun.

Wait, she cant be a sex symbol! That's sexist!

@Maginnovision: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYtldnVOHc0

@Wraxend said:

Why did they do an international search for a British actress? Sounds like a lot of time and money was wasted.

The international search only included Europe and LA apparently. There is no rest of the world but Europe and LA!

"There were tears and mascara running down her face, people ran over asking if she was ok" Errr it's called acting <shrugs> Spunky hmmmmm

@Binman88 said:

@Kierkegaard said:

@Benny said:

I quite liked that she said "she fights for what she believes in and is courageous and I think those things are sexy" cause it could be said about a guy too (replacing she with he obviously) unlike "you'll want to protect her."...

Why does being sexy matter? Nolan North isn't asked, "Man, where's Drake's shirtless scene?" but this poor excuse for an interviewer says he wishes "the shorts" weren't gone? Damn it, Crystal D. You want to make Lara a person? Stop objectifying her and this actress.

It seems to matter more to you! Since when does being sexy disqualify someone from being a person?

Boom, that right there is the be all and end all to all this bullshit that's been going on for far too long. All the white nights parading about, complaining about objectification of women in video games, how the groans are sexual sounding, that Lara is getting beaten up too much are simply holding up and forwarding the very same stereotypes and misogyny they presume to be against. You can be sexy and intelligent, you can have big boobs and be a strong character, assuming otherwise without any real proof (game's not out yet) just shows you hold those views yourself.

@Kierkegaard said:

@Benny said:

I quite liked that she said "she fights for what she believes in and is courageous and I think those things are sexy" cause it could be said about a guy too (replacing she with he obviously) unlike "you'll want to protect her."...

Why does being sexy matter? Nolan North isn't asked, "Man, where's Drake's shirtless scene?" but this poor excuse for an interviewer says he wishes "the shorts" weren't gone? Damn it, Crystal D. You want to make Lara a person? Stop objectifying her and this actress.

It seems to matter more to you! Since when does being sexy disqualify someone from being a person?

It's like Final Fantasy. It's never truly the final one. Final in media means about as much as trilogy does.

Ha, the screen-cap makes it look like the black guy is really disappointed and giving her a good talking-to.

I guess the way they use "final" is just like...the Final Destination series

her accent is like powsh english, then american randomly.

it bugs me sooooo.

i wish they got danaerys to do lara

I'm not a die hard fan of Tomb Raider but i have played all the games and this looks great, but the accent is really off putting im sure i will get used to it, and i watched a few videos just to see if the actress tries to put on an English accent (even though shes English) and im afraid she doesn't anyone from the UK will hear it when she says in the video "Oh god, I had to do it, i had to do it"

Why did Crystal Dynamics decide to make her English again? So that she'd be more James Bond-y?

Anyway, game looks great. I am really digging what they're doing with the character. Never had much interest in her before, but now she seems very relatable and interesting.

Good to see they are putting alot of effort into this game. The E3 demos really caught my interest. Open World, Parkour, Decent Combat and RPG elements really put this on my radar.

Damn, Crystal D!

My new rap name is Crystal D.

Digital Domain, the studio I'm transferring to after I finish school is working on what is probably going to be my game of the year? God Dammit!!!

God dammit that accent is weird.
 
I wish they'd just brought back Keeley Hawes. The best Lara by far.

Alright, cool.

Now make another Legacy of Kain.

I don't mean to go there, but Zachary Levi totally touched her shoulder. TAKE NOTES, GUYZ!

That guy kind of looks like Ben Affleck to me.

Again, I really hope they don't overplay the "young, fragile and naive" thing. Not the concept, but the dialog and acting.

/stubtoe wwOUUUAAAAAAAHHHH! UUUAAAAAAAAAH! LET GO UV HAH!

I liked the video and look forward to the next one. So there.

Instant dislike to everything about this video, everything about the game and everyone involved.

Why did they do an international search for a British actress? Sounds like a lot of time and money was wasted.

I feel compelled to protect this damsel in distress! Chivalry is not dead!

Californication!

I was entertained by this video for some strange reason......

@Kierkegaard said:

@Benny said:

I quite liked that she said "she fights for what she believes in and is courageous and I think those things are sexy" cause it could be said about a guy too (replacing she with he obviously) unlike "you'll want to protect her."...

Why does being sexy matter? Nolan North isn't asked, "Man, where's Drake's shirtless scene?" but this poor excuse for an interviewer says he wishes "the shorts" weren't gone? Damn it, Crystal D. You want to make Lara a person? Stop objectifying her and this actress.

I would like to see a shirtless Drake. :D

For as long as she does not control like a tank, I should be happy.

Chuck!

Why is Chuck talking about this?

Ninja edit: I'm gonna say he hit that like a freight train later on

you know for the past 15 I still can't wrap my head around the whole tomb raider fascination.

So gorgeous. She's got a bit of the Hayden Panettiere thing going on!

I know there's already an established "look" for Lara, but with an actress like that, I wish they had just modelled the entire character after her.

Empty vessels..too much PR.

Ah... wasnt aware.. just seen him a lot on G4 and stuff so figured he cant get an acting gig.. im sure he would much rather act than do this stuff..

@HydraHam said:

@Duxa said:

Loved Chuck (except that terrible ending of the series), but can Zack really not get another role? He has to do this instead to make a living?

What? He's going to be in Thor 2, was in a huge Disney film last year. He does this because he loves gaming and started his own company/community called "The Nerd Machine"

http://www.thenerdmachine.com/

That Disney movie was Tangled which is fucking awesome for some reason. He played Eugene Fitzherbert aka Flynn Rider.

@Daitre said:

That accent is weirding me out. I'm from England and have never in my life heard that accent before. Sounds more American than British to me.

It doesn't even sound English.

@Mystyr_E: The tits were implied ;)

@StarvingGamer: and very naked too ^_^