Lara Croft Go CSP case study

Language

1) Who is Lara Croft and when did she first appear in a videogame?

Lara Croft is a game character from a franchised game Tomb raider as the first female character in 1996.

2) What classic films influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games?

The classic film that influenced the creation of this is Indiana Jones.

3) How has Lara Croft and Tomb Raider moved beyond just being a videogame?

Lara Croft has moved from just being a video game as it as become a movie, merchandise, comic books and spin-offs featuring the character.,

4) What devices can you play Lara Croft Go on?

You can play Lara Croft Go on phone and tablet.

5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?

Lara Croft Go is a action/adventure puzzle game

6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline) to make the game enjoyable for the audience?

Lara Croft Go uses the narrative to make the game enjoyable for the audience by exploring the ancient ruins while fighting/defeating enemies. As well as this, the audience solves puzzles and uncovering myths.

7) What iconography can be found in Lara Croft Go? How does this help communicate the genre of the game?

8) What other characters or enemies feature in the game?

Queen of Venom is seen as an enemies featured in this game as well as spiders and snakes.

9) What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?

Lara Croft is set in a jungle which  preserves element of original Tomb Raider game and brings the original adventure up to date. 

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?  

After 20 years the character Lara Croft has been evolved by Tomb Raider as noticeably less sexualised. They have designed her character to still include her strengths as an adventurer but reduced the stereotypical body type for a female.


Representation

1) How are women usually represented in videogames?

 Women are usually represented as objects and  are usually over-sexualised in games by wearing very skimpy outfits and nearly always having huge sexual features.

2) How does the character of Lara Croft reinforce female stereotypes in the media?

The character of Lara Croft reinforces these stereotypes as she has a scantily-clad design targeted for a male audience. She is seen as a "sex" symbol suggesting her as a tool for men.

3) How does the character of Lara Croft subvert female stereotypes in the media?

Lara Croft subverts these stereotypes as she is an action hero who are traditionally seen as a male.

4) Why do some people believe the videogames industry is sexist and needs to change?

People believe that videogame industry is sexist due to the fact that women are seen as weak and useless when is coming to gaming and most males believe its not feminine of them.

5) Do you think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon or just another objectified woman designed to appeal to male gamers?

Lara Croft is both empowering and objectifying women as her design and body were overexaggerated for the pleasure of men. However, she has strength and power which are traits associated with a man showing she is a rare character in the industry of gaming. 


Industries

1) What does PEGI stand for?

PEGI stands for Pan European Game Information.

2) What is PEGI's job?

PEGI is a video game rating system established to help make consumers make decisions when buying video games or apps through age rating and content description.

3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?

Square Enix created Lara Croft Go.

4) What two popular videogame franchises were combined to create Lara Croft Go?

Two popular videogame franchises that were combined to create Lara Croft Go was Lara Croft Tomb Raider and Hitman Go. 

5) What 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?

Audience may enjoy playing Lara Croft Go as it gives them Diversion allowing audiences to escape their daily life and be sucked into a world of puzzles and myths where the gameplay has short levels. Audience may also have a personal relationship to the character Lara Croft as their is a sense of nostalgia if these audience have previously played Tomb Raider other game Hitman Go.

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.

Lara Croft is a tablet and mobile phone game that contains short levels that can be played in a matter of minutes at any time. Its a type of game that keeps you entertained and distracted by such simple game play.

3) How did Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to an audience?

Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to the audience by including the same features from Tomb Raider. They creator familiar settings to appeal to the audience and make connection to Hitman Go. Each levels are different colours to attract the audiences attention and keep them playing.

4) Which of Blumler 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 Target audience for Lara Croft Go is more older adults who are familiar or have played Hitman Go. The brand loyalty contributes to the target audience is the sexualisation of Lara Croft and those with brand loyalty based on the feminine empowerment displayed.