Videogames: Lara Croft Go blog tasks 

Language

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

She is the first female main character in the videogames.

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

The Indiana Jones influenced the creation of the Lara Croft.

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

Lara Croft has featured in films and has appeared on magazine covers more times than any supermodel.

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

Mobile Phone.

5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?

Turn based puzzle-adventure.

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

Lara Croft Go explores the ruins of an ancient civilization in the Amazon Jungle while fighting menacing enemies.

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

The double pistols. It shows that she is strong enough. 

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

Enemies are snakes, spiders and salamanders. There is a Boss character at the end of the game (the Queen of Venom).

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

Lara Croft Go explores the ruins of an ancient civilization in the Amazon Jungle.

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?  

Over the years Lara Croft became less sexualized.


Representation

1) How are women usually represented in videogames?
 

They are usually represent sexualized. 

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

She is  an object of sexual desire.

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

She is an action hero – traditionally a male stereotype in gaming.

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

Over the past decade, news media reports have characterized gaming as a male-dominated industry in which women are in the minority.

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

Lara is or has been both a feminist hero and and an figure of objectification.

Industries

1) What does PEGI stand for?

Pan-European Game Information.

2) What is PEGI's job?

It warns parents and children about the potential risks of games.

3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?

Square Enix.

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

Hitman Go and Tomb Raider.

5) What else is part of the Lara Croft/Tomb Raider franchise?

Three Films.

Audience

1) Why might an audience enjoy playing Lara Croft Go?

 Audiences get enticed into the game as they solve puzzle-solving problems.

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.

The audience might play this while going somewhere (train or bus), at a break, at home. 

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

Animator did an amazing job of quickly producing a first batch of short animations for Lara, and immediately everything felt better

4) Which of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory might apply to Lara Croft Go?

2 of them can be applied those being diversion and personal relationships this is because by playing the game you are being "diverted" from reality, and personal relationships because of how people may feel towards Lara Croft.

5) Who is the target audience for Lara Croft Go? How does brand loyalty contribute to this target audience?

Tomb Raider fans who find the video game nostalgic and audiences who enjoy the quality of the game.

Exam practice optional extension task:

The audience of videogames is incredibly increasing because the range of games is increasing as well. You can find a game about everything in example "Lara Croft Go". This game is about the adventures of a strong, fearless woman. The game have simple but very pleasant 3D graphic with a interesting mechanics and good music which creates the Amazon Jungle atmosphere. The Action Adventure genre don't let audience to get bored.