When was Lara Croft first introduced and what was the initial purpose?

Lara Croft was first introduced with the game Tomb Raider, conceived as a character to counter the male dominance in action-adventure games.

How has Lara Croft's character been portrayed in different media?

Lara Croft has been portrayed in video games, blockbuster movies starring actresses like Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander, and an animated Netflix series.

What future projects are planned for the Tomb Raider franchise?

Future projects include two new games, Tomb Raider: Catalyst and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, and a live-action TV series starring Sophie Turner.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Lara Croft: From Pixels to Global Icon

Lara Croft: From Pixels to Global Icon

26 Jan

•

Summary

Lara Croft began as a concept to counter male dominance in action games.
Her character evolved from game design to film and animation, impacting culture.
The franchise continues with new games, movies, and a live-action series.

Originally conceived by Toby Gard as a response to the male-dominated action-adventure game scene, Lara Croft debuted as a witty and physically capable British heiress. Her first game, Tomb Raider, released on Sony's PlayStation, utilized advanced 3-D capabilities and became a bestseller due to its unique gameplay and cinematic aesthetic.

Gard's vision for Croft clashed with publisher Eidos' marketing, which sexualized the character as a pinup. Despite this, Croft became a mainstream celebrity, appearing in commercials and touring with U2. Core Design faced tight deadlines, and Gard eventually left due to creative control issues.

Over the years, the franchise saw various iterations, including a poorly received PlayStation 2 title by Core Design and a successful reboot by Crystal Dynamics. This reboot reimagined Croft for a new generation, with writer Rhianna Pratchett focusing on a more relatable, grounded character.