Videogame: Tomb Raider Anniversary

 

Tomb Raider Anniversary

Language and Audience

1) How does the cover communicate the genre of the game?

The cover communicates genre by using a gun as an action code. It could also be viewed as a phallic symbol. Also the typography seen on the ancient item seen behind the character, is very old and it signifies a mystery/adventure genre.

2) How does the pose and costume of the character appeal to primarily male audiences?

The costume of the character is created to appeal to male audiences because she is wearing a tank top and shorts. With the way that she is posing, her bust and posterior are sticking out and it is clear that she is being sexualised. This could perhaps be for the male gaze. 

3) How might the cover be read as empowering for female gamers?

Females that agree with third wave feminism would view the cover as empowering because she is taking control of her own sexuality.

Gameplay analysis

1) What does the gameplay for Tomb Raider Anniversary involve?

The gameplay shows how it is to play the level.

2) Write an analysis of the media language choices in the construction of the game: e.g. genre, narrative, mise-en-scene, camera shots etc.

 We can see that it is played in a third person perspective and the music is eerie, which enhances suspense. However when she jumps she makes a grunting/moaning sound that seems like it is especially for men. The setting is of an ancient temple and the character goes through many obstacles. These obstacles could be seen as new equilibrium points.

3) Analyse the clips for audience pleasures, applying audience theory and considering media effects.

Audience pleasures are:

. Competence - learning how to use control

. Sadistic pleasure - wanting to kill & be violent

. Autonomy - able to control movement & camera

Representations

1) Note the statistics in the opening paragraph.

. Lara Croft has been on 1100 magazine covers

. Sold over 58million videogame units worlwide

. The most successful human video game heroine of all time

2) How does the article describe the cultural change in society and the media since the early 00s?

The athletic archeologist has been absent from cinemas since the early ‘00s.

3) How was the original 1996 Lara Croft received by audiences and critics?

People were surprised to see a female protagonist for the first time.

4) What did the 2013 re-launch do differently – and how successful was it?

Hot pants and Barbie physiques were out; cargo trousers and abs were in. Scars, dirt and blood covered her skin, and the game play focused more on Croft’s face to reveal a deep and complex emotional background.

5) How is ‘woke Lara’ defined in the conclusion of the feature?

Lara Croft is considered a feminist icon.


Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft: feminist or femme fatale? 

1) Why is Lara Croft considered a “polarising figure among gamers”?

There's a lot of discussion over whether Lara Croft is an empowering role model or simply a sexualized symbol for supposed heterosexual male audiences.

2) How did the limitations of game construction in the 1990s help to establish the way female characters were animated?

Since males and women appeared the same on a 32-bit design, the restrictions of game production contributed create a disadvantage because of her sexualized appearance.

3) Why were Lara Croft’s physical attributes emphasised in the original games?

The physical qualities of Lara Croft were emphasised in the original game to help sell the game to a wider audience.

4) How does Anita Sarkeesian describe Lara Croft?

Lara Croft is described by Sarkeesian as a "hypersexualized figure who encourages the deep objectification of women," and she goes on to say that women's depiction in videogames is more regressive than progressive in this regard.

5) Why has Lara Croft’s appearance and characterisation changed over time?

Lara Croft's image has evolved over time to reflect society's contemporary ideals that women should not be sexualized in any way.

Industries

1) Why is Lara Croft such an iconic figure in the gaming industry?

Lara Croft is one of the first female protagonists in video games and she has been featured on magazine covers. She even has her own movie series.

2) What products and spin-offs have featured Lara Croft or the Tomb Raider brand?

Comics and animated TV shows have been created.

3) Why might Lara Croft be considered a postmodern icon?

She might be called a postmodern symbol because she is a simulacrum for a genuine star, appearing on magazine covers and commercials and creating a franchise.

4) Why is Tomb Raider Anniversary a 'case study in conglomerate ownership'?
Because Tomb Raider is owned and produced by a large media conglomerate, the Tomb Raider Anniversary is a case study in conglomerate ownership.