Eidos To Give Lara Croft A "Family-Friendly" Makeover?
See Full ImageTomb Raider: Underworld wasn't a bad game, but as sales haven't hit expectations and Eidos continues to struggle overall, the long-running franchise may see a major makeover.
According to Edge Online, Eidos believes Tomb Raider's popularity is waning in North America, and because much of every game's success has always relied on the heroine, they're thinking Lara Croft may need to become more "family friendly." We're not entirely sure what this means - it could relate only to Lara herself or to the entire game's atmosphere and structure as a whole - but we get the feeling that Lara's days as the industry's sex icon are numbered. Said Eidos CFO Robert Brent to the British publication, The Times:
"We need to look at everything, as we develop the next game. Look at how Batman changed succesfully, from the rather sad character of the Michael Keaton era to the noir style of The Dark Knight."
That's an interesting comparison, and it may be crucial for Eidos and Crystal Dynamics to change the face of Tomb Raider. On the other hand, they could just buckle down and make a top-quality action/adventure game that appeals to gamers everywhere...and without the other type of appeal that Ms. Croft offers. Remember, the last time the series went through a major rejuvenation was right around the turn of the new generation, when the developer decided to produce a good game (Tomb Raider: Legend) for the ailing series. Perhaps it's just a matter of quality, not style. This whole "family-friendly" idea may not work if you still produce games that aren't worthy of great scores; that's all we're saying.
1/12/2009 Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (43 posts)
Troy Powers
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 10:56:21 AM
Reply
I agree they don't need a "family friendly" Tomb Raider. They need a kick-ass game. Dude, Tomb Raider is over a decade old. Just having a chick with bouncy boobs, little shorts and a couple of guns won't sell a gazillion copies any more. It's been done. Step it up!
0 up, 0 down
Orvisman
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:57:21 PM
I don't think he was dissin' Keaton's performance as Batman. I think his sad reference was more about the character still being in a "sad" state of mind over his parent's death rather than Keaton's performance.
On the other hand, Bale's Batman is more seething and menacing about what he has to do. Sort of how Craig's take on Bond differs from the actors who preceeded him.
0 up, 0 down
Wage SLAVES
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 1:32:41 PM
0 up, 0 down
eLLeJuss
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:09:54 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:16:32 AM
1 up, 0 down
Troy Powers
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:58:08 AM
2 up, 0 down
GamerKid123
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:19:06 PM
Last edited by GamerKid123 on 1/12/2009 12:19:32 PM
1 up, 0 down
PS3_Wizard
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:19:11 PM
PSN ID: Tron_04
Last edited by PS3_Wizard on 1/12/2009 12:19:33 PM
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:29:17 PM
Yes? ;)
0 up, 0 down
Troy Powers
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:43:02 PM
And, yes, I know a couple local girls that I'd walk right past Jolie or Aniston to get to.
I'd take a Megan Fox over Jolie. Hell, I'd take Demi Moore over Jolie. And don't get me started on Halle Berry. I don't even think Jolie could make my list of Hollywood's hottest 10.
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:52:37 PM
0 up, 0 down
Orvisman
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:53:29 PM
While I agree that I prefer Aniston because she has that girl next door quality, i.e. sweet and attainable. You must be kidding when you write Jolie doesn't have much of a shape?
As for Megan Fox, Demi Moore, and Halle Berry? I agree. They are also hot!
0 up, 0 down
Arvis
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:26:02 PM
Jolie, on the other hand.... yikes... yikes in a GOOD way...
-Arvis
0 up, 0 down
MetalHead09
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:56:25 PM
Last edited by MetalHead09 on 1/12/2009 2:59:46 PM
0 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 3:07:51 PM
She's average, nothing great
0 up, 0 down
PS3_Wizard
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 10:34:57 AM
Aniston is pretty, but id just give her a 8. I prefer Mixed women like halle berry (as Troy said) and Jessica alba. I might not know you Troy, but I'm from the south and I know we like our women like gabrielle union, or Lisa Raye. Praise God for ass and boobs!
0 up, 0 down
Aftab
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 @ 1:40:43 AM
0 up, 1 down
karneli lll
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:13:20 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Buckeyestar
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:48:28 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Zorigo
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:23:27 PM
0 up, 0 down
Tim Speed24
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:14:19 PM
Reply
It could work. Don't cross this soccer mom.
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:56:34 PM
Reply
Yeah, that's a solid way to kill a franchise. I say make an exclusive that uses the full power of a machine (PS3) because super-multiplat games like Force Unleashed and Underworld always suffer. And amp up the sex, don't tone it down, make it a Mature game and go extreme. That's how you bring people back to TR.
0 up, 0 down
BeezleDrop
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:06:31 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Zorigo
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:22:12 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
tlpn99
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:56:02 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Thinker
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:24:18 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
LCF
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:33:28 PM
Reply
Last edited by LCF on 1/12/2009 2:35:03 PM
0 up, 0 down
xnonsuchx
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 3:04:14 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Friday, January 16, 2009 @ 4:02:46 PM
The game missed sales targets (though I heard somewhere it sold 1.5 million units, so I don't see how they can justify lay-offs) because:
1. It got middling reviews, mainly because it was buggy and the (too few) changes from Legend weren't well received.
2. They released it in the midst of the glut of far-superior games...games which got much more coverage from the games media.
3. Prince Of Persia. If you wanted an adventure fix, you probably leaned toward the game with better reviews.
I should say that I was very excited for Tomb Raider, more so than a lot of the higher-profile games (like R2 or LBP, both of which I bought) and still will probably get it before I get POP.
0 up, 0 down
Nsho
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 3:24:17 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Dustinwp
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 4:04:48 PM
Reply
Last edited by Dustinwp on 1/12/2009 4:13:35 PM
1 up, 0 down
Jeffrey
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 5:49:09 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 8:19:30 PM
Reply
Hmmmm, about Jolie though,
Nice bod, but I'm another one who doesn't like that see/cleft(musical pun intended)lip of her's either.
I'd much rather do some bedroom breakdancing with Claire Forlaini(from the movie "Meet Joe Black), when she was younger.
Now, that's a woman that gives the meaning of "lips" a great service!!!!
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 10:14:02 PM
Also I don't think Jolie had a cleft lip, I think her collagen injections just got out of control.
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:37:47 PM
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 12:00:48 AM
Reply
Collagen huh? Didn't know that.
Well, all I gotta say is Joli better not add any more, or she'll be high flying amongst the thermal air currents.
Although I don't think I like the sound of that "Mallrats" flick, I've got to go ebay a copy so I can check Claire out in it.
Anyways, If I remember right, she also did some CSI NY episodes last year, playing another forensic who was also Mac's love interest for a short bit. But, my, how she was really showing her age in it though, I only recognized her from her sultry voice).
To me, Andie McDowell is another hottie(just love her rough, southern twangy voice too)
0 up, 0 down
Bill_Clinton_
Reply
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 10:52:06 AM