cover up??

[Tomraider]

well in my opinion..i think the designers need to give lara a shirt that isnt so revealing! I mean come on ... laras just a sex symbol now! Im sorry but im an oldfashion kid of guy!As much as i couldnt stand her legend outfit..i think it was great how they didnt just CABLAM!!expose her like they're doing now!If you feel the way i do then great..if not then ok.. we all got our own opinions!

[Rai]

To be fair, Lara was showing her midriff in Legend just as much as the TRU top, which is only slightly more revealing and is sleeveless. But you're right, it isn't necessary to have her in those skimpy clothes. She should wear clothes that are both weather/environment appropriate and practical. But her clothes have always been on the tight side and her short shorts are almost a trade mark, not unlike her backpack.

[matches81]

Originally Posted by Tomraider

well in my opinion..i think the designers need to give lara a shirt that isnt so revealing! I mean come on ... laras just a sex symbol now! Im sorry but im an oldfashion kid of guy!As much as i couldnt stand her legend outfit..i think it was great how they didnt just CABLAM!!expose her like they're doing now!If you feel the way i do then great..if not then ok.. we all got our own opinions!

Imho Lara has been a "sex symbol" for quite some time. I remember, back when I was still reading games print magazines regularly, one issue of such a magazine came with sort of a "pin-up" like poster of Lara. That was quite a few years ago.
So, it's nothing new, and I think it's part of what made her one of the most well-known game characters of all time.
The only thing that changed is the visual quality of games really. I must admit I noticed nothing out of the ordinary when I looked at the TRU screenshots last time. In fact I don't see too much of a difference now, either. Pants and top are tight, as always, but that's nothing new.

[LisaB]

Graphics do make a difference though. Things look much more suggestive in PS2/next gen graphics.

Personally, I hate it when Lara is sex-kittened up. That is just so not in her personality. The Japan dress was a travesty that belonged in DOA not in Tomb Raider.

However, it is a game, so I understand allowances must be made. I'll take the tight shorts and shirt, just lose the exposed midriff. That's just unprofessional, plus it's out of fashion now anyway (although it's taking some time for mall rats to get the message. )

[Headache]

You also need to take into account that to do the things that Lara does (IE, acrobatics), she needs as little restriction as possible. Although I very much agree they're slightly overdoing it.
But like LisaB said, it is a game.

[Captain Mazda]

Oh dear...

[KasigiYabuSama]

I disagree entirely. From the instant Tomb Raider I hit the shelves it was trashed by "superior cynics" (as Professor Peart would put it,) as "sexist" and "lewd" and "something only adolescent boys will want to play."

'Turns out those criticisms were blown away not just by logic but by gamers who voted with their wallets in droves. And the rest, as they say...

If you think about it, the mix of overamped sexiness with overamped action hero (I've always considered Lara to be a borderline Marvel-type superhero, just more subtle in her abilities,) is a big part of what made the franchise such a success. Maybe it's my perspective as a guy, but Lara's femininity-on-steroids serves to enhance, not detract from, her pedal-to-the-metal abilities and the strength of her character. She's not afraid of lions and tigers and bears and Atlanteans and Natla, so the idea of her nervously uglying herself down to cater to this weirdo PC/Moral Majority merger we've seen arise in the last decade, would be just a little out of character.

As a concrete example, though Angelina is at the top of my list of fave actors ('can't wait to see her Dagny,) and her performance in the first movie was perfect despite a horrid story, the way she was "masculinized" for "Cradle of Life" resulted in a Lara that seemed like she was straining to morph into the next Terminator - a Lara that was, as a result, dull as a test pattern.

Maybe this is an issue that'll have a clear divide on gender lines, maybe not, but my attitude is "the sexier, the better," within reason. What I'd dread is Lara getting transformed into a watered-down, sexless, postmodern "PC"-prude monstrosity of the general Rosie O'Donnell/Jeanine Garofalo model - meaning: the attitude those two project, not a slam on their physical appearance. (Jeanine is actually kinda hot anyway IMO. D'OH! That's probably "patronizing," huh. Tsk.)

If anything the new Lara has already gotten a shade too bland and too overtly serious, despite the outfits and polygon counts. I hope CD will refocus on the original TR attitude on Lara's appearance and personality - basically thumbing their noses at all things trendy, prudish and Politically Conformist - as much as they've suggested they're trying to do with the overall feel of the game. From the start Lara has been hardcore, but also projecting a subtle sense of fun and...a self-confident, over-the-top sexiness.

And that, I submit, is a good thing.


I yield the soapbox to....

[Tomraider]

Originally Posted by KasigiYabuSama

I disagree entirely. From the instant Tomb Raider I hit the shelves it was trashed by "superior cynics" (as Professor Peart would put it,) as "sexist" and "lewd" and "something only adolescent boys will want to play."

'Turns out those criticisms were blown away not just by logic but by gamers who voted with their wallets in droves. And the rest, as they say...

If you think about it, the mix of overamped sexiness with overamped action hero (I've always considered Lara to be a borderline Marvel-type superhero, just more subtle in her abilities,) is a big part of what made the franchise such a success. Maybe it's my perspective as a guy, but Lara's femininity-on-steroids serves to enhance, not detract from, her pedal-to-the-metal abilities and the strength of her character. She's not afraid of lions and tigers and bears and Atlanteans and Natla, so the idea of her nervously uglying herself down to cater to this weirdo PC/Moral Majority merger we've seen arise in the last decade, would be just a little out of character.

As a concrete example, though Angelina is at the top of my list of fave actors ('can't wait to see her Dagny,) and her performance in the first movie was perfect despite a horrid story, the way she was "masculinized" for "Cradle of Life" resulted in a Lara that seemed like she was straining to morph into the next Terminator - a Lara that was, as a result, dull as a test pattern.

Maybe this is an issue that'll have a clear divide on gender lines, maybe not, but my attitude is "the sexier, the better," within reason. What I'd dread is Lara getting transformed into a watered-down, sexless, postmodern "PC"-prude monstrosity of the general Rosie O'Donnell/Jeanine Garofalo model - meaning: the attitude those two project, not a slam on their physical appearance. (Jeanine is actually kinda hot anyway IMO. D'OH! That's probably "patronizing," huh. Tsk.)

If anything the new Lara has already gotten a shade too bland and too overtly serious, despite the outfits and polygon counts. I hope CD will refocus on the original TR attitude on Lara's appearance and personality - basically thumbing their noses at all things trendy, prudish and Politically Conformist - as much as they've suggested they're trying to do with the overall feel of the game. From the start Lara has been hardcore, but also projecting a subtle sense of fun and...a self-confident, over-the-top sexiness.

And that, I submit, is a good thing.


I yield the soapbox to....

So you are saying that lust should be allowed?I seriously dont think it should!

[naraku]

Uhmm it already has been e.i Tomb Raider the Cradle of Life. Lara and Terry on that Chinese ship sexing it up. Anyone here ever seen those gymnastic competitions, or jogging or been to the Gym? Well skimpy clothes are everywhere. Places like the Grand Canyon. Its not mandatory its a matter of choice and a reflection of said persons. In comparison Lara in Legend and Anniversary is covered up. From the screen shots of TRU the shorts she wears don't appear to be as short as TRA or TRL. I'll bet those Gymnast are wishing they could wear shorts.

[matches81]

Originally Posted by KasigiYabuSama

I disagree entirely. From the instant Tomb Raider I hit the shelves it was trashed by [...]

I agree completely.

[james987654321]

Originally Posted by LisaB

The Japan dress was a travesty that belonged in DOA not in Tomb Raider.

Haha I agree about the dress, but i think her Legend raiding outfit is fine, she is running around in hot climates all the time. Maybe they could lower her shirt a bit...

[matches81]

Originally Posted by Tomraider

So you are saying that lust should be allowed?I seriously dont think it should!

AFAIK, even in the USA, lust is allowed, because lust is a feeling So... if you want to live in a society where lust is "forbidden", you probably should become a monk.
Are you seriously suggesting there should be no tight / sexy clothes depicted in games (and probably other media, too, I guess)? If so, why?

[Fickji]

I think it all depends on where she is. In a warm climate shorts and a t-shirt would be good. Like in TRL the clothes she wears differ with the locations she's in. Colder climates like Russia, Napal and England, she was wearing clothing that would keep her warm and were not revealing at all.

Besides its a game. If I wore shorts like she does I would scrap all the skin off my arms and legs before the end of the mission.

It really depends on your comfort level. If you don't like seeing her in all her faminine glory than change the outfit. They give you a choice now. What says coverup more than a beige suit.

[laralova101]

oh my god! finally someone said it! i could not agree more with you its discusting how their portraying Lara now a sex symbal she is much more than that!

[TDK]

Lara is a sexy woman and there is nothing wrong with showing some things or as u said revealing stuff and yes she is a tomb girl but who would go to a tomb wearing a baggy jeans with cotton sweater !

[Laura Croft]

Me? I mostly just miss the original outfit. But I have to confess I do enjoy seeing what different outfits they come up with for her. Who really cares about all this "sex symbol" & "feminism" tripe? The way Lara is is what made her such an iconic video game heroine in the first place. You can't really take that away can you? And as TDK said, why would you climb jutting rocks, swim in jungle rivers, kayak down rapids, somersault & flip over the bad guys wearing a baggy shirt & pants? She needs tight fitting stuff so it won't snag on things as she darts around.

[RinoTheBouncer]

Lara looks great however she is
and the legend outfit were better than ever , at least they weren't as boring as her classic outfits...c'mon guys , let's make new things , Lara isn't only about Tomb Raiding , TOMBS ONLY ? Gimme a break ,that's too boring , i mean when she finishes all the tombs What's NExt ?

so she gotta start showin new style NOT AS A SEX SYMBOLE ONLY but she can be an adventurer in many many sections , archealogical , political , social...etc. she can do a gr8 job......n i love her outfits btw , n it's better if we can go to a botique or a dress maker to make out own outfits in TRU (as a special feature).......dats my oppinion...thanks for listenin hehehehe.

[Randy 54]

[Peach]

When has Lara Croft not been a sex symbol? I remember playing the first one in 1996 and she was a sex symbol then (only with Madonna-esque cone shaped bosom). Since then, she's just continued down that course. Almost every female gaming character is a sex symbol (within reason) or portrayed in an exposed manner. Why? Think of the audience most game production companies are catering to: Men. That's why. It's like placing a bikini clad beauty next to a gorgeous muscle car. It attracts the audience they're looking for.

Would Tomb Raider have been as successful if Lara was instead a man? Doubtful. In 1996, the audience for gaming was (and to a degree still is) widely populated by those of the Y chromosome (aka men).

Her outfits are part of what makes her an icon in the gaming industry. To change them, or to try and conceal her is not only to detract from who she is, but also rather puritanical, don't you think? I could see the argument if her outfits were similar to DOA, and her jiggly bits were all.. jiggly.. but the focus (in my opinion) has always been not on making her a sex symbol (the general populace did that on its own) but on the adventures and missions she goes on. Her clothes have (while designed to attract the attention of the male audience and thus move product) not been designed to be overtly and unnecessarily risque. Though they definitely could have been.

I say: Keep her clothes the way they are.

[KasigiYabuSama]

I don't really know what you mean by "lust should be allowed," but yeah, like Matches says, I don't think it's a matter of anyone "allowing" anything, it's a part of life that's hardwired into each of us. A good part, I think - assuming reason is in charge.

If you're asking if I think CD should be actively pushing the lust envelope, well I'd say that I'll defer to their judgment and trust it - everything they've done with the character thus far has been positive, IMO. (A couple of the technical changes are another story...ach-achch-SAVEgameCAMeralock! Sneeze - sorry. )

But given that from Day One the Lara character was hardly a modest wallflower, I think "sexy" (or "lusty" or whatever) is more consistent with the character we all know & love than some late PC/PeerCaptive modification in the opposite direction.

I guess to boil down my verbiage to a nice nutshell, as long as the character remains consistent with the original concept, it's all good - but a significant, undeniable element of that concept is: sexy. I can't believe it even bothers some people this late in the game's history.

[KasigiYabuSama]

Originally Posted by Peach

When has Lara Croft not been a sex symbol?...

Would Tomb Raider have been as successful if Lara was instead a man? Doubtful...

...but the focus (in my opinion) has always been not on making her a sex symbol (the general populace did that on its own) but on the adventures and missions she goes on.

Yeah, that's another point worth emphasizing: The combination of a.) a sexy woman who is also b.) an independent, unflinchingly self-confident, kick-butt heroine, is a potent mix that taps into much more than just "adolescent male lust" or the usual snide perjoratives some in the media toss out. Lara is a character that players are just jazzed to hang out with, and not only because she's sexy. She's a little like the female James Bond, or more obviously, Indy Jones. It is edifying - even inspiring - to contemplate a character who is endlessly resourceful, usually in control of every situation, and just a little bit superhuman.

Which is why TR has a female fan base that's just as fanatical, if not as numerous, as the male fan base. Lara is a heroine who is also sexy.

[Fickji]

Where did I hear or read this? I know one of the original developers wasn't too happy when they put her in a bikini. Even than they didn't want her to be slutty. There is a fine line between sex symbol and slutware(sounds like dishware ) and as long as they don't let you run around the tombs in a bikini I'm fine with the way she looks.

[Imaginary Whisk]

To everyone asking when she hasn't been a sex symbol... not everyone played the game for her at first for one. And watching her character change and evolve over the years, I don't think it's hard to see why some fans don't want her to be displayed as eye candy.

In my opinion it's easier to think of her as a friend who's personality grew out of a fad, but dresses the same way out of habit. xD

[CatSuit&Ponytail]

I like Lara being a sexy and strong woman who wears what she feels comfortable wearing whenever she chooses. A lot of women wear little clothes because they have the inner strength and great body to pull it off, and asking them to cover up would get you a laugh in the face. Lara is one of those women, even if she is only pixels. Fashion be damned, fashion is for those mindless sheep who do not know what to wear unless everyone else is wearing it first. Baaaaaaaack off, I think she'd say.

[naraku]

Originally Posted by Peach

When has Lara Croft not been a sex symbol? I remember playing the first one in 1996 and she was a sex symbol then (only with Madonna-esque cone shaped bosom). Since then, she's just continued down that course. Almost every female gaming character is a sex symbol (within reason) or portrayed in an exposed manner. Why? Think of the audience most game production companies are catering to: Men. That's why. It's like placing a bikini clad beauty next to a gorgeous muscle car. It attracts the audience they're looking for.

Would Tomb Raider have been as successful if Lara was instead a man? Doubtful. In 1996, the audience for gaming was (and to a degree still is) widely populated by those of the Y chromosome (aka men).

Her outfits are part of what makes her an icon in the gaming industry. To change them, or to try and conceal her is not only to detract from who she is, but also rather puritanical, don't you think? I could see the argument if her outfits were similar to DOA, and her jiggly bits were all.. jiggly.. but the focus (in my opinion) has always been not on making her a sex symbol (the general populace did that on its own) but on the adventures and missions she goes on. Her clothes have (while designed to attract the attention of the male audience and thus move product) not been designed to be overtly and unnecessarily risque. Though they definitely could have been.

I say: Keep her clothes the way they are.

Toby Gard did think of having a male be the main character. Complete with hat and Whip, till someone said you're a decade to late. It's been done.
So now we have a lovely Lara Croft as our Tomb Raider. I guess if they didn't make her features uhm, Noticeable with the graphics back then we probably wouldn't have known it was a Female. Like Samus from Metroid. I really thought it was a man or at least a robot then, Dope! Its a chick. I was like