News

03/13/2006

Lara Croft Marks Decade as Pop Icon With New Video Game Debuting April 11

In 1996, Hootie & the Blowfish won the Grammy for Best New Artist, Madonna was greeted in Argentina with signs saying "Fuera Madonna" (Get Out , Madonna) for her portrayal of Eva Peron, and Demi Moore co-starred with a metal pole in Striptease. Amid the entertainment industry insanity of 1996, Eidos Interactive brought to life a character that has proven her super-star status over the past decade.

In the ten years since the world first met adventuress Lara Croft, she has become a pop culture icon extending well beyond her Tomb Raider video game franchise. Today Lara Croft is a billion-dollar brand and the inspiration behind music videos, comic books, amusement park attractions and endorsements for products, ranging from hot pants to energy drinks.

With two movie spin-offs, 200+ magazine covers and the title of U.K. Ambassador for Science and Technology under her comely belt, the digital diva is back in Eidos Interactive's anticipated "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend" video game. Her new game, which kicks off amid the ancient ruins in Bolivia, hits U.S. retail stores from April 11. Early reviews from the media call "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend" "amazing" and claim that Lara is "back on top" (PSM: Play Station 2 Magazine).

Click here to see new gameplay footage from Lara's next adventure, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Legend.

New Twist on Tomb Raiding Roots

As important as the game's leading lady, is the game itself and consumers have fallen in love with the heart-pounding surprises and constant physical and mental challenges they face while playing out Lara's latest ancient tomb raiding adventures.

Real-world physics will keep gamers on their toes -- and the edge of their seats -- as they journey through ancient ruins in South America, tombs hidden in African rainforests, and frozen caverns in the Himalayas. As the adventure unfolds, the player will learn more about Lara's mysterious past and see her come to terms with death, betrayal and her own insecurities.

In the new game, Lara comes to life with intricately animated expressions and an arsenal of modern equipment, such as a magnetic grappling device, frag grenades, a personal light source, communications equipment and GPS, allowing gamers to experience the adventure in a variety of new ways.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend Xbox 360 screenshots
Click here to see all-new Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Legend screens.

Leading Lady Legacy

Lara is arguably the first, and certainly the most recognizable game crossover star. Why has she endured, to be dubbed in one blog as "undoubtedly pop culture's polygonal darling?" One video game reviewer characterized Lara Croft's appeal saying, "In Tomb Raider, Lara displayed an unprecedented variety of moves and animations that gave her an almost lifelike quality. She's also tough. She's athletic. She's got a can-do mentality.... It's a tried-and-true Hollywood formula: The more the audience feels like they know the hero, the more people will care for her."

Assertive, resourceful and independent, Lara Croft is the first virtual celebrity to hold her own in a world of flesh and blood stars since her debut. Her list of accomplishments would leave many in Hollywood green with envy: 

  • She's graced more than 200 magazine covers around the globe
  • She's been lauded in Entertainment Weekly's "It" issue of 100 most
 creative entertainment elite, Time Magazine's most influential figures of
 the 20th century and as the only virtual celebrity figure featured in
 Details' Sexiest Women of the Year
  • She is star of one of top video game franchises of all time, with 28+
 million copies sold to date
  • Her adventures spawned feature a film empire with movies starring
 Oscar-winner Angelina Joie that grossed more than $431 million worldwide

"Lara has proven that she's a pop icon with staying power," said Matt Gorman, Senior Brand Manager at Eidos. "Her personality transcends the medium she debuted in -- gaming -- because she represents the feisty independent spirit that we embrace in American culture."

About "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend"

The game hits retail stores nationwide on April 11 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PC. "Tomb Raider: Legend" will also ship for Xbox® 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system at a later date.

"Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend" will be published by Eidos Interactive and presents Lara in the finest fidelity to date. A revamped control system provides intuitive and fluid character movement, while a compelling storyline and vast environments lure players into an unrivalled adventure experience. More details are available at www.tombraider.com.