Videogames case study 1 : Lara Croft Go
Lara Croft Go
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1) Who is Lara Croft and when did she first appear in a video game?
Lara Croft is a fictional character and main protagonist of the video game franchise Tomb Raider.She first appeared in 1996 by Eidos for the playstation game Tomb Raider
2)What classic films influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games?
Both Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games were influenced by Indiana Jones .
3)How has Lara Croft and Tomb Raider moved beyond just being a video game?
Lara Croft has featured in films , there have been advertising tie-ins, merchandise, comic books and spin offs featuring the character.
4)What devices can you play Lara Croft Go on?
Lara Croft Go can be played on many devices such as : Andriod, iOS, Windows , Windows Phone devices, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita and also it was released on Steam.a
5)What type of game is Lara Craft Go ?
Lara Croft Go is a turn-based puzzle video game in the Tomb Raider franchise which involves by passing enemies and unlocking paths in a sequential manner.
6)How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline)?
Lara Croft Go uses narrative by exploring ruins of an Ancient Civilisation in the Amazon Jungle while fighting dangerous enemies,dodging different obstacles and traps and to uncover the myth of The Queen Venom
7)What iconography can be found in the Lara Croft Go? How does this help communicate the sub-genre of video games?
In Lara Croft Go there are iconography such as her weapons consisting of guns, spears ext, also there are items such as gems that can upgrade/unlock special powers,villains that are dangerous and some of the collectables.
8)What other character or enemies feature in the game?
Other than Lara Croft herself , there are no other main characters only changes in style/costume of Lara Croft but there are opponents that she comes across such as Lizards, Snakes, Spiders and Salamanders
9)What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?
Lara Croft goes on various mission through settings such as jungles and tombs which relates to the action-adventure genre .In comparison both Tomb Raider and Lara Croft game are both predominately based around the same type of dark,Jungle area.
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?
20 years ago, Lara Croft was viewed as a " beautiful woman who was so powerful and in control."A lot of females looked up to her as a role model however the game was intended to appeal mainly men and boys.Unexpectedly, 40% of the early players were female.
In addition to this,"to some people Lara was a sex symbol" as she " has a fairly fleshed out character."
However now, Tomb Raider has evolved and the character of Lara Croft is noticeably less sexualised.
Although now people believe that she is more of a flawed character in that she's very human so she expresses fear and has to push through that to be courageous and save her friends."
Representation
1) How are women usually represented in video games?
Generally, females who are depicted in video games were frequently sexualized. Women were mainly associated with the quote " damsel in distress" which shows how under valued women were in video games.Although now of 2019, the strength and independence of women have increased therefore bringing in inspirational characters such Yuna from Final Fantasy X and Lara Croft from Tomb Raider and many more.
2) How does the character of Lara Croft reinforce female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft reinforces traditional stereotypes such as being an object of sexual desire.Her body features were particularly exaggerated in the early versions of game.Lara was scantily-clad designed for male audiences however you generally wouldn't see the same for male characters.She is constructed to be attractive to the male audience as she basically acquires all the features that some men would describe as perfect.
3) How does the character of Lara Croft subvert female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft subverts female stereotypes as being an action hero which is traditionally a male stereotype in gaming.She is presented as a empowered female heroine - rare in the gaming industry at the time.She is described as this independent , strong and hardworking female character who is also a role model for some girls.
4) Why do some people believe the video games industry is sexist and needs to change?
Some people believe that the video games industry is sexist and need to change due to the harassment women get from both men online and offline due to the game and also the way women are being represented in games. In most video games women are presented to be very weak and helpless, and to be always reliable on a man to save them but this is extremely sexist and makes women feel insecure about themselves.The gaming industry needs to change in order for the industry to be enjoyed by male and female otherwise most women disagree with the behaviour of girls in video games.
5)Do you think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon or just another objectified women designed to appeal to male gamers?
I believe that when the character of Lara Croft was created , the idea of her being an empowering feminist icon wasn't thought off . I believe the character was mainly created to appeal a large group of male gamers. The idea of her being an empowering feminist icon then took place whilst women and girls began to play the game in which they thought of her as a role model.
Industries
1) What does PEGI stand for ?
PEGI stand's for Pan European Game Information
2) What is PEGI's job?
PEGI is a European video game content rating system established to help Europen consumers make informed decisions when buying video games or apps through the use of age recommendations and content descriptors.
3) What company created Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go was developed by Square Enix Montreal, a studio that was founded to develop a triple -A Hitman game but was re purposed to create mobile games for the West.
4) What two popular videogame franchises were combined to create Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go is the combination of two successful franchises - Lara Croft Tomb Raider and the Hitman Go mobile game.
5)Who 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?
An audience might enjoy playing Lara Croft Go because the game creates a sense of diversion allowing them to escape their own lives and live in another life. Also there is personal relationship with the character of Lara Croft.Fans of the original Tomb Raider game might enjoy playing Lara Croft Go for the nostalgia it provides for them.
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.
Because of the reason that Lara Croft Go is a mobile device game, players will most likely play the game when bored or when waiting in places such as their bed, waiting for the bus , sitting on the train.
3)How did Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to an audience?
Square Enix designed Lara Croft Go by having the same features as Hitman Go , they made the settings in order to reflect the old Tomb Raider game to attract fans, they used different colours in each level in order to make the game appealing to the audience.
4)Which of Blumer 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 game is targeted towards those interested in the quality of innovative game play , also those with brand loyalty to the Hitman Go series.Those with brand loyalty based of nostalgia or even the sexualisation of Lara Croft and those with brand loyalty based on the feminine empowerment displayed.
8)What other character or enemies feature in the game?
Other than Lara Croft herself , there are no other main characters only changes in style/costume of Lara Croft but there are opponents that she comes across such as Lizards, Snakes, Spiders and Salamanders
9)What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?
Lara Croft goes on various mission through settings such as jungles and tombs which relates to the action-adventure genre .In comparison both Tomb Raider and Lara Croft game are both predominately based around the same type of dark,Jungle area.
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?
20 years ago, Lara Croft was viewed as a " beautiful woman who was so powerful and in control."A lot of females looked up to her as a role model however the game was intended to appeal mainly men and boys.Unexpectedly, 40% of the early players were female.
In addition to this,"to some people Lara was a sex symbol" as she " has a fairly fleshed out character."
However now, Tomb Raider has evolved and the character of Lara Croft is noticeably less sexualised.
Although now people believe that she is more of a flawed character in that she's very human so she expresses fear and has to push through that to be courageous and save her friends."
Representation
1) How are women usually represented in video games?
Generally, females who are depicted in video games were frequently sexualized. Women were mainly associated with the quote " damsel in distress" which shows how under valued women were in video games.Although now of 2019, the strength and independence of women have increased therefore bringing in inspirational characters such Yuna from Final Fantasy X and Lara Croft from Tomb Raider and many more.
2) How does the character of Lara Croft reinforce female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft reinforces traditional stereotypes such as being an object of sexual desire.Her body features were particularly exaggerated in the early versions of game.Lara was scantily-clad designed for male audiences however you generally wouldn't see the same for male characters.She is constructed to be attractive to the male audience as she basically acquires all the features that some men would describe as perfect.
3) How does the character of Lara Croft subvert female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft subverts female stereotypes as being an action hero which is traditionally a male stereotype in gaming.She is presented as a empowered female heroine - rare in the gaming industry at the time.She is described as this independent , strong and hardworking female character who is also a role model for some girls.
4) Why do some people believe the video games industry is sexist and needs to change?
Some people believe that the video games industry is sexist and need to change due to the harassment women get from both men online and offline due to the game and also the way women are being represented in games. In most video games women are presented to be very weak and helpless, and to be always reliable on a man to save them but this is extremely sexist and makes women feel insecure about themselves.The gaming industry needs to change in order for the industry to be enjoyed by male and female otherwise most women disagree with the behaviour of girls in video games.
5)Do you think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon or just another objectified women designed to appeal to male gamers?
I believe that when the character of Lara Croft was created , the idea of her being an empowering feminist icon wasn't thought off . I believe the character was mainly created to appeal a large group of male gamers. The idea of her being an empowering feminist icon then took place whilst women and girls began to play the game in which they thought of her as a role model.
Industries
1) What does PEGI stand for ?
PEGI stand's for Pan European Game Information
2) What is PEGI's job?
PEGI is a European video game content rating system established to help Europen consumers make informed decisions when buying video games or apps through the use of age recommendations and content descriptors.
3) What company created Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go was developed by Square Enix Montreal, a studio that was founded to develop a triple -A Hitman game but was re purposed to create mobile games for the West.
4) What two popular videogame franchises were combined to create Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go is the combination of two successful franchises - Lara Croft Tomb Raider and the Hitman Go mobile game.
5)Who 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?
An audience might enjoy playing Lara Croft Go because the game creates a sense of diversion allowing them to escape their own lives and live in another life. Also there is personal relationship with the character of Lara Croft.Fans of the original Tomb Raider game might enjoy playing Lara Croft Go for the nostalgia it provides for them.
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.
Because of the reason that Lara Croft Go is a mobile device game, players will most likely play the game when bored or when waiting in places such as their bed, waiting for the bus , sitting on the train.
3)How did Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to an audience?
Square Enix designed Lara Croft Go by having the same features as Hitman Go , they made the settings in order to reflect the old Tomb Raider game to attract fans, they used different colours in each level in order to make the game appealing to the audience.
4)Which of Blumer 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 game is targeted towards those interested in the quality of innovative game play , also those with brand loyalty to the Hitman Go series.Those with brand loyalty based of nostalgia or even the sexualisation of Lara Croft and those with brand loyalty based on the feminine empowerment displayed.
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