OSP - Lara Croft GO Flashcards
The visual representation of Lara Croft has changed since 1996. Why?
Technology - advancement
Socio-cultural determinants
ethical values and politics of the media
What does she do? – narrative (Todorov’s narrative structure and Barthes action & enigma codes)
Lara Croft GO is a turn based puzzle (enigma codes) - adventure (action codes) set in a long-forgotten world. The game explores the ruins of an ancient civilization, discovering well-kept secrets and archaeologist Lara Croft faces deadly challenges as the player uncovers the myth of the Queen of Venom. The equilibrium is established as the game starts; the disequilibrium will be the challenges that each level of the game reveals; the new equilibrium is the resolution = the game is completed.
Propp’s Character Types + Stereotypes
Lara Croft shows the tougher, resilient side in females that goes against old stereotypes as women are generally supposed to be the softer, more loving characters.
Male Gaze Theory - Laura Mulvey
Despite being a female lead character in an action/adventure game, the representation of Lara Croft reinforces the gender stereotype established by Mulvey’s Male Gaze. The minimal clothing and sexualised representation of her body allows the male audience to gain satisfaction.
Representations - why is she important?
Males usually play the lead, both in shows and games. Lara Croft is an inspiring figure for all females, and she also shows men that women can be just as good.
Why aren’t women interested in video games? - Male dominated
The main character is usually male, if the main character is a woman it’s usually an overly sexualised representation. Lara Croft has been made masculine and is able to take on masculine scenarios like no other female character before. She has a hyper feminized body but is able to use it in a very masculine way, this way she appeals to both gender audiences.
Why aren’t women interested in video games? - Over sexualization of female characters (Mulvey’s male gaze)
Lara Croft was originally designed for male pleasure. Females may get tired of being hyposexualised and therefore reduce their time in gaming. They also may not be able to relate as much and this will reduce their interest.
Positives of Lara Croft GO - casual
Mobile gaming, can play wherever you are. They are also simpler and are more appealing.
Positives of Lara Croft GO - growing female presence
With a female lead, girls around the world would be interested in the game as they can relate in an ordinary way. This means that the audience will grow.
Positives of Lara Croft GO - gender stereotyping
Gender stereotypes are defeated in Lara Croft as the character doesn’t fit the usual feminine criteria, but instead, has a very masculine attempt to things.
How does Lara Croft conform to traditional representations of women and yet also subvert this stereotype?
conform: "To some people Lara was a sex symbol and was this beautiful woman who was positioned as a pinup character in the advertising," she says. - body type - hyper sexualised - purely for male pleasure - objectified
Subvert:
“But she was also inspirational on so many levels and had a fairly fleshed out character and a very interesting one, and inspirational in terms of her independence and quick wit.”
- strong
- lead
In fact, early data from parent company Eidos suggested that 40% of the early players were female. Context
“The initial attraction to the game was feeling represented,” she says.
“It was really cool to see this beautiful woman who was so powerful and in control.”
“I know so many women who talked about wanting to be an archaeologist or wanting to go into these other fields because Lara inspired them.”
Ms Marie says there was a “perfect storm” when Lara popped up into public consciousness.
“She was a female protagonist and there weren’t many,” she says.
“It was also really at the time where Girl Power was starting to gain movement because of the Spice Girls.”
Stats
“I think we had budgeted 100,000 units… and we ended up selling 7.5 million units of the first Tomb Raider. Lara Croft became arguably as iconic as James Bond did in films.”
Lara may be less prominent in mainstream media now, but the 2013 reboot was the best-selling game in the history of the franchise, and a new film is set to come out in 2018.
Now, 20 years on, Tomb Raider has evolved and the Lara Croft character is noticeably less sexualised - the hotpants have gone and her breasts have shrunk.
Lara Croft Films
Angelina Jolie starred in two blockbuster Hollywood adaptations - Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and the sequel Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life (2003).
Apply narrative theory to the gameplay (Todorov + Campbell)
The gameplay follows a narrative, and the audience easily catches on. The balance of both victory and disappointment provides the scale of equilibrium. Campbell’s monomyth theory also relates to the game as the narrative is very linear.
