Boyfriend

[TombRaiderClassic]

Hey, did you guys catch the SDCC Tomb Raider Panel? You can view it from the Official Blog.

There was a guy towards the end who was suggesting a Sexual Relationship with Lara in the game; he said it would increase the realism, to which there was an awkward silence followed by nervous laughter, waiting for the developers to answer. Camilla Ludington tried to help him out by asking, "You want Lara to have a boyfriend?"

Well, he wants more than just a relationship, but maybe Camilla is right. A story where Lara is emotionally involved with a male character would be a great addition, and the experience would kind of mirror that of Angelina Jolie's performance in the two movies.

Would you play the game, if it included more relationship themes?

[adobeARTIST]

Originally Posted by TombRaiderClassic

Hey, did you guys catch the SDCC Tomb Raider Panel? You can view it from the Official Blog.

There was a guy towards the end who was suggesting a Sexual Relationship with Lara in the game; he said it would increase the realism, to which there was an awkward silence followed by nervous laughter, waiting for the developers to answer. Camilla Ludington tried to help him out by asking, "You want Lara to have a boyfriend?"

Well, he wants more than just a relationship, but maybe Camilla is right. A story where Lara is emotionally involved with a male character would be a great addition, and the experience would kind of mirror that of Angelina Jolie's performance in the two movies.

Would you play the game, if it included more relationship themes?

I've for the longest time been endorsing this. And it doesn't even have to be Lara being in a relationship. Simply expressing attraction to a man (or even men in general) adds emotional depth to her character, which is part of the human realism. Those little expressions and gestures, the tone of the voice, are the little things that can reveal so much of what lies beneath the surface, beyond what we just see.

So yeah, go for it already CrystalD

[Metalrocks]

Originally Posted by TombRaiderClassic

Hey, did you guys catch the SDCC Tomb Raider Panel? You can view it from the Official Blog.

There was a guy towards the end who was suggesting a Sexual Relationship with Lara in the game; he said it would increase the realism, to which there was an awkward silence followed by nervous laughter, waiting for the developers to answer. Camilla Ludington tried to help him out by asking, "You want Lara to have a boyfriend?"

Well, he wants more than just a relationship, but maybe Camilla is right. A story where Lara is emotionally involved with a male character would be a great addition, and the experience would kind of mirror that of Angelina Jolie's performance in the two movies.

Would you play the game, if it included more relationship themes?

havent seen it.
i woulndt mind to see lara being attracted to a guy or generally having a relationship.
that would add some realism to the game. if we would have the option if we want lara to have some affect to a guy, that would be a nice touch actually.

[Driber]

I'm not sure about a boyfriend, like, someone Lara comes home to after every adventure, but a romance in a future TR game could work really well.

I *did* like the sexual tension between Lara and Kurtis in AoD

[Metalrocks]

Originally Posted by Driber

I'm not sure about a boyfriend, like, someone Lara comes home to after every adventure, but a romance in a future TR game could work really well.

I *did* like the sexual tension between Lara and Kurtis in AoD

well, she could have an boyfriend but changes her mind by the end of the game that she doesnt want one. or she loses her boyfriend and doesnt want to get involved in a relationship again.

we could have playable flashbacks of lara in school, or when she finished uni or when ever, going out with a guy. surely would bring a change from surviving all the time on the island.

maybe i add that to the wishlist.

[pomeranianpuppy]

Why does it have to be a man? after all she is in college

[Driber]

Originally Posted by pomeranianpuppy

Why does it have to be a man? after all she is in college

[hiropon056]

Originally Posted by pomeranianpuppy

Why does it have to be a man? after all she is in college

I suggest it's Sam

[WinterSoldier]

Originally Posted by pomeranianpuppy

Why does it have to be a man?

I'll agree with this question. I know alot of people have their preferences and presumptions as to who Lara is, but her sexuality really never has been touched upon. I personaly see no reason whatsoever that Lara could not be atracted to another woman both emotionaly and physicaly. But, I'm the bloke who swears up and down that there was a sexual tension, and also a hint of a previous "more than friends" relationship between Lara and Amanda in "Legend", so take that for what it's worth.

And a relationship of any sort would be fine by me, back on topic. I think it could be a cool story element if used properly, much like anything else.

[Malaksbane]

Boyfriend, mmh, he's likely going to die somewhere in act 1 anyway so why bother?

Originally Posted by pomeranianpuppy

Why does it have to be a man? after all she is in college

What does college have to do with it, are you saying women can only be attracted to women during school?

Lara seems to have romantic involvements with some male characters in the games and movies, so that might be taken to indicate her romantic preference

Originally Posted by Driber

I don't understand your reaction, could you explain?

[Metalrocks]

ok, i have added the boyfriend thing to the wishlist. who ever wants their name on the list, let me know.

[TranceTrouble]

hmm i think it could work in a future game, girlfriend and/or boyfriend

[Shaikh]

Lara already got me. She doesn't need another one. <3

[tombraidergal]

Hmmm... maybe someone she's able to admire as she and this 'guy' have many similarities in what they like etc. I think showing her admiration and body gestures and even a little blush could be really good for her character. It shows that she is an actual human being like everyone else and since it's kind of starting over, if the next game still has her at a young age then i see no problem with her having that someone she might have known from the past or whatever.
So yeah, i think it'd be nice for them to add in a little 'romance'... if that's even the word i'm looking for.

[Elliot Kane]

I actually think Lara's sexuality/romantic relationships is one of those things best left unexplored. Every single one of us has our own ideas on the matter, and as several threads have so far shown, no two of us ever completely agree.

I think it's fair to say that the TR forum probably represents TR fans generally, at least on this one issue. And if WE can't reach any kind of consensus, imagine the ructions...

This, I should imagine, is the dilemma faced by the developers, and why the awkward silence when the subject came up, as mentioned by the OP.

Lara may well be in an 18 rated game and the future is surely a more adult slant on the character, but I suspect there is nothing that would divide TR fans more than this - or more passionately than this!

Tomb Raider is, basically, a game series about explorer, archaeologist and all round adventuress Lara Croft. It's not a dating sim. I don't want it to be a dating sim, and I absolutely and totally do NOT want to find Lara railroaded into a romance (Or fling, or whatever) with any man, woman or anthropomorphic personification where I have no control whatsoever over the outcome.

Lara Croft: The RPG, I have always liked the idea of. Lara Croft: The JRPG, never!

[GemmaDarkmoon]

One of the things that's always linked to Lara is independence so I can't see a long term relationship really fiting with that. I liked the chemistry Lara had with Kurtis and TRA's Larson. I think it would be good to see more of that attraction and flirting but Lara in a relationship would probably not go down well with fans. Maybe if CD built up a relationship over a few games that could change.

I think the most likely relationship would be short term though for a story development element like a boyfriend betraying Lara or a man Lara gets close to being murdered by a villain.

[d1n0_xD]

I agree with Elliot, it would be a massive crapstorm, so it's best left unexplored...

[The Hylden]

If done well, anything is possible.

I think the best route would be to show some sort of ally that you can see the chemistry blooming, but for the events of the game/story, it just isn't meant to be. So, it's self-contained and doesn't bleed over into shaping her life going forward, like a Bond film (only less sexual, lol)

[TombRaiderClassic]

Well, when I saw the Tomb Raider movies, romance seemed to work in the story and made it interesting. I really liked the adventure in "Cradle of Life" when they are riding bikes next to the Great Wall of China. You can see Lara being playful with him, and in another scene she locks the guy to the bed, staying one step ahead. Those characters need some romance, so why not in the game have similar interactions.

I am not for a dating sim, but, like many have posted, it can be a wonderful enhancement to the story, if done well. I haven't played AOD, and it is not available on PSN, so I missed that moment with Kurtis.

[Driber]

Originally Posted by WinterSoldier

I'll agree with this question. I know alot of people have their preferences and presumptions as to who Lara is, but her sexuality really never has been touched upon. I personaly see no reason whatsoever that Lara could not be atracted to another woman both emotionaly and physicaly. But, I'm the bloke who swears up and down that there was a sexual tension, and also a hint of a previous "more than friends" relationship between Lara and Amanda in "Legend", so take that for what it's worth.

pomeranianpuppy said "after all, she is in collage", which indicated that it was more of a (naughty ) wishful thinking, rather than asking a serious question about a possible gay romance.

But if you want to seriously look at that issue, well....I don't think that is something that will never, ever happen in a TR game.

As you can see from this thread (and others as well; we also had a similar discussion in the "nude Lara thread" some time ago) the opinions on Lara being romantically involved is a topic that fans are much divided on, though it does seem that the majority is open to this idea. But having Lara being romantically involved with someone from the same sex, is likely going to cause a hell of a lot more controversy.

Especially in America, which is like half of the audience.

Originally Posted by The Hylden

If done well, anything is possible.

I think the best route would be to show some sort of ally that you can see the chemistry blooming, but for the events of the game/story, it just isn't meant to be. So, it's self-contained and doesn't bleed over into shaping her life going forward, like a Bond film (only less sexual, lol)

Good point. Those fleeting romances in a typical Bond movie are definitely something I could see work in a TR game.

Originally Posted by TombRaiderClassic

Well, when I saw the Tomb Raider movies, romance seemed to work in the story and made it interesting. I really liked the adventure in "Cradle of Life" when they are riding bikes next to the Great Wall of China. You can see Lara being playful with him, and in another scene she locks the guy to the bed, staying one step ahead. Those characters need some romance, so why not in the game have similar interactions.

Yeah those are the kind of scenes I had in mind; those would work well, if done right, of course

Originally Posted by TombRaiderClassic

I am not for a dating sim, but, like many have posted, it can be a wonderful enhancement to the story, if done well. I haven't played AOD, and it is not available on PSN, so I missed that moment with Kurtis.

Here ya go:

[TombRaiderClassic]

Hey, thanks for the video. That's awesome, and I could totally see this kind of chemistry in upcoming TR games! Is Kurtis the closest character to romance in a TR game? I've always been curious about this one, but some how I never purchased the game. I wish PSN would add the remaining TR titles to the download list; I would get this for sure.

[Driber]

Originally Posted by Malaksbane

I don't understand your reaction, could you explain?

Certainly

pomeranianpuppy ended his post with "after all, she is in college", which made me assume he meant it in a joking "oh yeah baby, let's make Lara do some girl on girl action" way, so I replied with "dream on ".

If he meant it in a serious way, though, then I too don't understand what college has to do with anything. And not in the least because TR9 Lara is no longer in college

Originally Posted by TombRaiderClassic

Is Kurtis the closest character to romance in a TR game?

Yep. There *was* some flirting going on between Lara and some characters, but nothing at the same level as the above scene between Lara and Kurtis.

Originally Posted by TombRaiderClassic

I've always been curious about this one, but some how I never purchased the game. I wish PSN would add the remaining TR titles to the download list; I would get this for sure.

I definitely recommend playing it if it does come out on PSN or if you happen to be able to borrow a PS2. The story of the game is one of the best in the entire series.

Avoid the PC version of AoD at all costs. EK will vouch for this, lol.

[Malaksbane]

Originally Posted by Driber

pomeranianpuppy ended his post with "after all, she is in college", which made me assume he meant it in a joking "oh yeah baby, let's make Lara do some girl on girl action" way, so I replied with "dream on ".

Allright, I get it, and the picture. The naughty college girl thing. It was not in my immediate view on the world, I guess.

[pomeranianpuppy]

Thanks for the cyber sex change Driber i always wanted to be able to pee standing up

pomeranianpuppy ended his post with "after all, she is in college", which made me assume he meant it in a joking "oh yeah baby, let's make Lara do some girl on girl action" way, so I replied with "dream on ".

College bit was joking! The films established shes attracted to men but why not a little bi try? If done right i think it would be really sweet and endearing

If he meant it in a serious way, though, then I too don't understand what college has to do with anything. And not in the least because TR9 Lara is no longer in college

Sorry thought she was, my bad

[Elliot Kane]

Originally Posted by Driber

Avoid the PC version of AoD at all costs. EK will vouch for this, lol.

Driber knows me well!

***

Metal,

Bioware have a long history of offering varied romantic choices in their RPGs. AFAIK, every RPG they have made from Jade Empire onwards includes the possibility of both gay and straight romances, with a couple of bisexual followers in each game. Or the player can simply romance no-one, if they prefer.

In an RPG, this works very well. If CD do finally take the plunge and make Lara Croft: The RPG, I think romantic options become possible. If they do not, romance of any kind is just a bad idea.

You guys know my opinion on this by now: