Lara Croft Go CSP case study💕

Language

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

Lara Croft first appeared in 1996 Eidos Playstation game Tomb Raider and was the first computer game to feature a female character as the protagonist rather than a supporting role or a secondary character.

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

Indiana Jones

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

Lara Croft has featured in films (the first starring Angelina Jolie; 2018 version rebooted the character). She has appeared on magazine covers more times than any supermodel.
There have been advertising tie-ins, merchandise, comic books and  spin-offs featuring the character. The franchise has had numerous incarnations before Lara Croft Go in 2015. 

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

iOS, Android & Windows Phone WW : 27 August 2015 Microsoft Windows WW : 27 August 2015 WW : 4 December 2016 (Steam) PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita WW : 3 December 2016 macOS, Linux WW : 4 December 2016

5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?

traditional Action Adventure elements its a puzzle based game

6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline)?

The three-act narrative structure proceeds from an orientation stage through various complications and blockages to a simple resolution.

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

The narrative of Lara Croft Go is about a giant snake which is protecting the artefact that Lara is searching for and this snake chases her through the levels. There are three main stages to the gameplay

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

Lara comes across (Lizards, Snakes, Spiders) and some of the collectables. There are not many different enemies as memory is key.  

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

Lara comes across (Lizards, Snakes, Spiders) and some of the collectables. There are not many different enemies as memory is key.

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.

Audience

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

The audience gain pleasure since theyre in control of that path the game is heading in and the thinking section of the game may help to solve the puzzles logically. It's a mobile app therefore they'll have access to the game at all times. Also may enjoy playing Lara Croft Go for nostalgia of the other franchises.

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.

Lara Croft Go can be played on mobile which means you can play anywhere at anytime if you have free time 

For students potentially playing on the way to school.

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

The use of isometric view deliberatly keeps it minimalistic and simple therefore it's appealing since there's not too much going on but the quality of animation and use of colour is still impacting, just not through an over the top display.

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

Lara Croft Go applies to social interatcion since the consumer may begin to have a carefull relationship with the character - not wanting her to die, makes them want to continue playing and try winning. 

5) Who is the target audience for Lara Croft Go? How does brand loyalty contribute to this target audience?
The target audience for Lara Croft Go is for mostly teen girls but some boys too. This is because it's a puzzle based game which intrests younger people, and the protagonist is a female therefore younger girls may play it more since they can look up to the character of Lara Croft. Brand loyalty contributes to the trget audience because people who've played Tomb Raider and Hitman Go may have a sense of Nostalgia once playing Lara Croft Go.

Representation

1) How are women usually represented in videogames?

Over the years women have been represnted in a more positve way. In later generations they were seen as less superior to men and obsessive over their appearance but fortunatley now they are represnted as role models who are independant and capable in doing anything.

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

Lara Croft is a strong, smart, independent character who's resilient in attempting levels that get harder. She's a female protagonist which reinforces stereotypes a lot because people are used to seeing male protagonists that are mostly heroes.

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

4) Why do some people believe the videogames industry is sexist and needs to change?
Some people believe this because mostly men are protagonists

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

I think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon because she subverts the stereotypes of men being protagonists and is a role model to the young generation of girls

Industries

1) What does PEGI stand for?

 Pan European Game Information 

2) What is PEGI's job?

European video game rating system established to help consumers make informed decisions when buying video games or apps through the use of age recommendations and content descriptors.

3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?

Square enex

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

 Lara Croft Tomb Raider and the Hitman Go mobile game.

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