Eidos CFO Says Lara Croft Overhaul in the Works

Sacking 30 from the studio responsible for a disappointing Tomb Raider: Underworld apparently is not enough; Eidos’ Robert Brent says a complete remake of the Lara Croft character is necessary.

https://kotaku.com/lay-offs-strike-crystal-dynamics-5127993

In The Times of London, Brent is quoted as modeling the Croft overhaul after the one the cinematic Batman went through – from yet another sequel to rummy nobel a new, more critically acclaimed, and profitable franchise.

“We need to look at everything, as we develop the next game,” Brent said. “Look at how Batman changed succesfully, from the rather sad character of the Michael Keaton era to the noir style of The Dark Knight.”

The revision might make her a more female-friendly character, the Times speculates (it also calls her a “pneumatic archaelogist,” I suppose in reference to her impossible dimensions.) Gloomy sales numbers for Tomb Raider: Underworld helped knock 30 percent off Eidos’ share price this week. It’s not expected to sell more than 2.5 million copies, whereas the previous game, Tomb Raider: Legend, sold 3 million. It indicates gamers might be getting tired of the character in her current state.

https://kotaku.com/lara-croft-sales-arent-meeting-eidos-expectations-5127135

Lara Croft has appeared in eight games since her 1996 debut. If the comparison to a film character is apt, she’s long overdue for an update. James Bond may be more than half a century old in film and novel, but each new Bond actor rejuvenates the franchise, and Casino Royale with Daniel Craig was a total makeover (its working title was Yono all app even “Bond Begins,” a nod to Batman.) A canonical do-over that minimizes the Lara Croft stereotypes and shortcomings may be just what the doctor ordered.

Lara Croft Faces Female-Friendly Makeover After Poor Sales in US Bring Profit Warning from Eidos [The Times of London, via Develop, thanks josh1122]