Earlier this week, we brought you the news that Crystal Dynamics has been working on a brand new Tomb Raider title for the best part of two years. And, as if that didn’t already sound good enough, a bit of leaked artwork from this month’s Game Informer gave us the first glimpse of a very, very different-looking Lara.
In a recent interview with Game Informer, Crystal Dynamics’ art director, Brian Horton, has been talking about the motivation behind Lara’s makeover:
“As far as sex appeal, we are always thinking about making a character that people want to play, and part of that is a level of attractiveness and being drawn to Lara,” he told Game Informer.
“But we don’t want to play up sexuality for sexualities sake. We are constantly talking about context and motivation on this project.
“If for any reason we wanted to put her in a situation that would be alluring, it isn’t to be alluring. It would be because the situation called for it.”
According to Horton, Crystal Dynamics is approaching Lara’s sex appeal with a different perspective, and aims to portray Lara’s inner-beauty too:
“Lara is a lover of archaeology and she has these book smarts. Her brains are another huge part of her sex appeal. She is an attractive girl who doesn’t play up her looks, but she is super smart and she is very ambitious.
“Ultimately, what I think is going to be compelling about this – and what our version of sexy is – is the toughness through adverse conditions. Seeing her survive through these moments.
“Her skin is still bare on the arms and there are going to be rips and tears on her clothes, but it won’t be about being revealing. It’s a way of saying that through these tough situations, there is a beauty and vulnerability coming through.
“I think that is sexy in its own way. There is a different tone we are going for across the board, and Lara Croft as a sex object isn’t our goal.”
You can read all about the latest Tomb Raider game here, and we’ll have more juicy gossip for you as soon it happens…
