'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 video game character first developed in 1993 then later released in 1996. She is meant to be an archaeologist who explores ancient places and discovers artifacts.

2) What classic films influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games?
The narrative of Tomb Raider was influenced by Indiana Jones.


3) How has Lara Croft and Tomb Raider moved beyond just being a videogame?
There has been movies based on Lara Croft and Tomb Raider


4) What devices can you play Lara Croft Go on?
It an be played on Playstation, Mobile and Microsoft.

5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go is a turn-based puzzle video game in the Tomb Raider franchise. Its core gameplay and control scheme is similar to its predecessor, Hitman Go.


6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline)?
All three narratives feature Lara Croft's transformation from a vulnerable to an independent, strong female.

7) What iconography can be found in Lara Croft Go? How does this help communicate the sub-genre of videogame?
The genre is action-adventure and this is shown through her weapons (gun and spear), clothes (blue tank top and light brown shorts), the jungle and artefacts/gems.
8) What other characters or enemies feature in the game?
In Lara Croft Go there are snakes, lizards and spiders which can be found throughout the higher levels, before Lara eventually ends up with the Queen of Venom, a giant Snake.

9) What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?
The setting for Lara Croft Go is the amazon jungle in the previous/other Tomb Raider games it is mostly the same since most of them are set in a jungle with an ancient city in it or something.

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 has become less sexualised as her chest has became smaller even though they used to be larger and her clothes have become more practical than sexualised. Her morals have been expressed through her story and they focus on the narrative.

Representation

1) How are women usually represented in videogames?
Women in video games are usually represented as being vulnerable and less able than the male characters as they are not shown to be brave, strong or intelligent. They are also often sexualised.
2) How does the character of Lara Croft reinforce female stereotypes in the media?Usually female characters aren't featured as main characters in video games.

3) How does the character of Lara Croft subvert female stereotypes in the media?
Lara Croft is presented as a sex symbol in the game

4) Why do some people believe the video games industry is sexist and needs to change?
People believe the videogame industry is sexist because they usually focus mainly on male characters and make games based around them and females aren't involved. Females are also sexualised in videogames which some people may see as sexist.
5) Do you think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon or just another objectified woman designed to appeal to male gamers?
I think she is both as she is one of the first female protagonists that has stereotypical male traits but also she is a sex icon and she has been sexualised in the game.

Industries
1) What does PEGI stand for?
PEGI stands for Pan European Game Information.

2) What is PEGI's job?
PEGI adds age ratings to videogames to help consumers make informed decisions when buying videogames.

3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?
Square Enix Created Lara Croft.

4) What two popular videogame franchises were combined to create Lara Croft Go?
It is combined with Lara Croft Go and Lara Croft Tomb Raider.

5) What else is part of the Lara Croft/Tomb Raider franchise?
Apart from videogames the Lara Croft/Tomb Raider franchise has created movies which follow the games narratives they have also made spin off games, action figures and the use of the character Lara Croft in advertisements for example the lucozade advert.


Audience

1) Why might an audience enjoy playing Lara Croft Go?        
It is a mixture of two franchises that are popular games.


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 of the game Lara Croft Go can play the game anywhere they like as the game is accessible as long as they have their phone, tablet or laptop with them. They would most likely play this game when they are bored or for example on a bus/train going somewhere and need something to do.
3) How did Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to an audience?
Square Enix designed Lara Croft to make it more appealing to the audience. This is because they used the acrobatics and platforming, which are the key features of a Tomb Raider adventure, and Lara Croft has to be fully animated to surprise and entertain the audience.

4) Which of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory might apply to Lara Croft Go?
-The need to be entertained (diversion) and escape daily life.-The need for social interactions (personal relationships).

5) Who is the target audience for Lara Croft Go? How does brand loyalty contribute to this target audience?
-Those who are interested in the quality of the innovative game play
-Those with brand loyalty to the Hitman Go series
-Those with brand loyalty based on the feminine empowerment displayed
-Those with brand loyalty based on nostalgia or even the sexualisation  of Lara Croft