Is the Upcoming 'Tomb Raider' Game Sexist?
SodaHead Gaming
2012/06/21 20:00:00
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Lara Croft, star of the popular "Tomb Raider" franchise, is probably one of the best-known video game heroines to date. She even got a couple of film spin-offs starring Angelina Jolie. But an upcoming reboot game, titled simply "Tomb Raider," is receiving criticism for trying to reshape the character by explaining her past. Some are even claiming that the new back story is sexist.
The new game will focus on Lara Croft's life evolution into a battle-hardened heroine. According to producer Ron Rosenberg, the game shows her "turning into a cornered animal" and almost getting raped. The idea is to show how Croft became the strong person that she is in the series, but critics argue that it's taking advantage of the character's gender and "painting woman as particularly vulnerable." Do you think the plot point concerning Lara Croft in "Tomb Raider" is sexist?
The new game will focus on Lara Croft's life evolution into a battle-hardened heroine. According to producer Ron Rosenberg, the game shows her "turning into a cornered animal" and almost getting raped. The idea is to show how Croft became the strong person that she is in the series, but critics argue that it's taking advantage of the character's gender and "painting woman as particularly vulnerable." Do you think the plot point concerning Lara Croft in "Tomb Raider" is sexist?
Top Opinion
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vicb626 2012/06/21 20:40:05No
+11If anything the games are becoming artistic and entertaining because of the realism. I find the new heroine refreshing because of her human frailness and vulnerabilities and the overcoming of her circumstances. We (Tomb Raider fans) get to see (and hopefully be a part of) her evolution into the kick @#& character we've come to love. I say good job and I look forward to this game in the fall. First they didn't like the bouncing boobs and hot pants, okay i get that. But now this? Acceptable is what consumers deem it, not some whinny, PC nannies. If this is not your cup of tea you can always go play an E or better yet an EC rated game, let the grown ups play what we like and leave us alone.
Isn't it plausible that she has always been kickass? Why did she have to go through a transformation at all? And if she DID, why did it have to be a sexual one when there are a whole slew of traumatic experiences that could have the potential to craft her into the unrelenting bad-ass she is? I get that she is sex on legs and a "fantasy" but attempted-rape-victim as part of her persona seems stupid and unnecessary.
It's her origin story, realistic people aren't naturally bad-ass, gymnastic, survival, killing machines. They become that, and she would be a very bland character if she didn't under go a struggle and this is the story of how a survivor is born.
On another note, action-adventure heroes aren't exactly known for their backstories (Kratos is the only one I can think of that is) and the tomb raider games haven't suffered any lack of sales or popularity for Lara's lack of a backstory up until this point. I'm not saying that on that basis they shouldn't provide an origin story, of course.
Also, thanks for not responding like an ass. I do really appreciate you taking the time to share your opinion with me in a respectful manner.
No it's not. The problem with Tomb Raider games is that she is just a one note character. Okay, she's bad ass but how did she get that way? What trials and tribulations did she have to go through in order to be the bad ass she is now? With this game that can be answered AND people will start to feel something (or have an emotional attachment/ understanding etc.) for her character besides her being 'sex on legs'.
'And if she DID, why did it have to be a sexual one when there are a whole slew of traumatic experiences that could have the potential to craft her into the unrelenting bad-ass she is?'
She is going to go through a whole lot more than that, a lot more. This 5-10 sec attempt, that she gets away from, is not the only thing that is going to happen to her.
I like vulnerable heroes, those whose backstories are full of moments where they don't WANT to fight but have to in the end. I find them to be more realistic and enjoyable in the end.
Somewhat unoriginal? Yeah. I will admit that the background stories for a lot of female characters (who are strong) usually involve rape or molestation or something of the sort.
And not just in games either, so I will admit sometimes it seems like "oh women can't be strong unless something horrible has happened to them in the past in order to make them tough as nails".
But sometimes this can be done well, but more often than not it just seems a tad repetitive to me. Getting hurt and feeling weak is one thing, but why does it seem like it's always rape or molestation?
However, that doesn't make it sexist. That being said I don't care much because I don't play games that often.
No, it never appealed to me. Like I said, occasionally it's well done, like for an Anime/Manga example with FREEZING - actual rape never happened, the main female character was molested often over to course of many years and as a result hated to be touched, but she responded to her phobia by slaughtering (most times literally) anyone who dared to lay a hand on her (which, by the way, isn't uncommon in this 'verse as the plot basically revolves around an Amazon Brigade with superhuman power and abilities) - in this instance, it's done well, esp. when they get to the "Brother Arc" which is when she relives most of her past torment and even with all the power she gained over the years she still reverts back to the way she was before. This example is good because yes, she suffered, and yes she turned into a badass because of it, but not just because of that one major thing - she has other reasons as well.
the issue is that it's used a little too often for my liking. Why does it always have to be something sexual in nature? I get weak and vulnerable but why is it always rape? Can't they have gotten hurt in some other way?
Again, I don't see it as sexist, more like a cop-out. It's a typical backstory for a weak woman ...
No, it never appealed to me. Like I said, occasionally it's well done, like for an Anime/Manga example with FREEZING - actual rape never happened, the main female character was molested often over to course of many years and as a result hated to be touched, but she responded to her phobia by slaughtering (most times literally) anyone who dared to lay a hand on her (which, by the way, isn't uncommon in this 'verse as the plot basically revolves around an Amazon Brigade with superhuman power and abilities) - in this instance, it's done well, esp. when they get to the "Brother Arc" which is when she relives most of her past torment and even with all the power she gained over the years she still reverts back to the way she was before. This example is good because yes, she suffered, and yes she turned into a badass because of it, but not just because of that one major thing - she has other reasons as well.
the issue is that it's used a little too often for my liking. Why does it always have to be something sexual in nature? I get weak and vulnerable but why is it always rape? Can't they have gotten hurt in some other way?
Again, I don't see it as sexist, more like a cop-out. It's a typical backstory for a weak woman turned strong.
Now when I say "gotten hurt in some other way" I'll use another Anime/Manga example, this time from Shikabane Hime (Corpse Princess) - the main female in that was killed, brutally, along with her family. But in her case it was much slower, much more painful, while she had her limbs ripped off and it's implied she had other body parts ripped off or out as well - after that she swore revenge and became a hardened cold-blooded badass as soon as she resurrected. Now, before that she was said to be innocent, normal, happy, loving, caring, etc. and while her family was being massacred she hid in a closet, crying, trying to stay quiet until they found her and killed her.
So while that example is a supernatural example, my point is that it doesn't always have to be "Rape As A Backstory". Unless there's more to it than that, then it's just sorta typical.
And this is a very prevalent reality for many women. As many as 1 in 4 women are said to have been raped in their college years (though the number is closer to 1 in 14, that's still pretty high)...Oh, are we pretending men and women are the same again, only one tends to have longer hair?
:)
NOOOO
Now she's a vengeful almost-rape victim. Because, you know, that hasn't been done before and women only get kick-arsey after they've been violated. Women simply have no reason to be that way otherwise. Plus, rape victims like putting their bodies on display the way she does. Way to ruin a good character. *roll eyes*
Rape is not the only reason she became stronger.