Videogames case study 1: Lara Croft Go blog tasks

Language

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

Lara Croft is a character from the Tomb Raider franchise and she is the first female protagonist in a video game in 1996.

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

The classical film that influenced Lara Croft and Tomb Raider is 'Indiana Jones'.

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

Lara Croft and Tomb Raider is also turned into a movie,merchandise,comics and spin-off character.

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

On Tablet and Phone.

5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?

Lara Croft Go is an action/adventure puzzle game.

6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline) to make the game enjoyable for the audience?The narrative is filled with quest and discovery and uncovering myth.

7) What iconography can be found in Lara Croft Go? How does this help communicate the genre of the game?Setting:Amazon Jungle,Ancient civilisation and you have to work through a map it is also has bright colours. Also, Lara Croft

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

The other character are Queen Venom who is seen to be the enemy of Lara Croft.(Propps character theory)

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

Lara Croft is set in a jungle which  preserves element of original Tomb Raider game and brings the original adventure up to date. 

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?  
After 20 years the character Lara Croft has been evolved by Tomb Raider as noticeably less sexualised. They have designed her character to still include her strengths as an adventurer but reduced the stereotypical body type for a female.

Representation

1) How are women usually represented in video-games?

Women are usually represented in video-games as object and are heavily sexualised. 

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

Lara Croft reinforces female stereotypes as she is 

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

Lara Croft subverts these stereotypes as she is an action hero who are traditionally seen as a male.

4) Why do some people believe the videogames industry is sexist and needs to change?
People believe that videogame industry is sexist due to the fact that women are seen as weak and useless when is coming to gaming and most males believe its not feminine of them.

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

Lara Croft is both empowering and objectifying women as her design and body were overexaggerated for the pleasure of men. However, she has strength and power which are traits associated with a man showing she is a rare character in the industry of gaming. 



Industries

1) What does PEGI stand for?

Pan European Game Information.

2) What is PEGI's job?

PEGI's job is to regulate video games and give them age ratings and descriptions.

3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?

The company that created Lara Croft Go is Square Equix.

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

Lara Croft Go is a combination of Hitman Go and The Tomb Raider.

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?

Audience may enjoy playing Lara Croft Go as it gives them Diversion allowing audiences to escape their daily life and be sucked into a world of puzzles and myths where the gameplay has short levels. Audience may also have a personal relationship to the character Lara Croft as their is a sense of nostalgia if these audience have previously played Tomb Raider other game Hitman Go.

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.

Lara Croft is a tablet and mobile phone game that contains short levels that can be played in a matter of minutes at any time. Its a type of game that keeps you entertained and distracted by such simple game play.

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

Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to the audience by including the same features from Tomb Raider. They creator familiar settings to appeal to the audience and make connection to Hitman Go. Each levels are different colours to attract the audiences attention and keep them playing.

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

Diversion - The game allows you to leave the real world and enter a world full of puzzles, traps, danger and mystery

Personal Relationship - Old Tomb Raider fans will have a personal relationship with the character of Lara Croft Go.

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

The Target audience for Lara Croft Go is more older adults who are familiar or have played Hitman Go. The brand loyalty contributes to the target audience is the sexualisation of Lara Croft and those with brand loyalty based on the feminine empowerment displayed.