Tomb Raider’s creators on how the game changed their lives: ‘Skint staff were suddenly pulling up in sports cars’
Giving Lara Croft pistols meant we could show off her acrobatics. And when she goes to Peru, we threw in a T rex!
TL;DR
- Tomb Raider's development involved a year of working until 2 am daily, with the core pillars being platforming, puzzles, combat, and story.
- Lara Croft's character evolved from a Latina concept to a British aristocrat, with her physique adjusted for better stylized movement.
- The game's success was a surprise, attributed to its unique focus on action-adventure, the marketability of Lara Croft, and being distinct from competition.
- Developers experienced significant financial rewards from royalties, with some former 'skint' staff able to afford sports cars and houses.
- Heather Stevens highlighted the unique portrayal of Lara Croft as a strong, independent female character, contrasting with previous representations.
- Eidos Interactive focused heavily on Lara's marketability, which developers felt sometimes led to oversexualization in marketing campaigns.