An update to the video game Tomb Raider III: The Lost Artefact removed a polygonal photo of protagonist Lara Croft lying in a provocative pose from the background of one of the environments.
Developer Crystal Dynamics is behind the latest update, which comes more than two months after the release of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, which was released on February 14, 2024.
The decidedly risqué pinup is reportedly based on a promotional rendering created for the original Tomb Raider III and was spotted on the fourth floor called “Sleeping with the Fishes” above the scuba gear lockers. Ta. border to comics report.
The first photo shows the protagonist in his default costume lying against a velvet background, and the second photo shows him covered with a bed sheet. Neither shows animated nudity of any kind.
Actually, the original game is Graphics The image is almost unrecognizable, but only in the remastered version can the animated poster, signed by the fictional character himself, be clearly visible.
Reports at the time of writing said that the update’s patch notes made no mention of the removal, even though the company had already issued a disclaimer saying it would not remove content from the game.
When the game was released, fans pointed out that it would launch with a message like this: Content warning About “prejudice”.
“Games in this collection contain disturbing depictions of people and cultures that are rooted in racial and ethnic prejudice. These stereotypes are extremely harmful and unacceptable, and Crystal Dynamics ,” the in-game prompt reads.
“Rather than remove this content, we have decided to present it here, unaltered, in its original form, in the hope that you will be aware of its harmful effects and learn from it,” the warning concludes. There is.
Gamers theorized that the content warning was implemented by a character called “.tribesman” also from the third game. character They were said to be from Polynesia, and were said to have “shot poisoned arrows with blowguns” and killed and eaten many explorers.
famous game designer mark kern He told Blaze News that his biggest concern with these changes is the ongoing “impermanence of digital media and the willingness of companies to censor, edit, and even delete entire games after purchase.”
“Consumers deserve better protection because our reality is edited in real time. Today it was a pasted together pin-up poster, tomorrow it will be so much more. What? It’s important to recognize what’s happening and the power we’ve given up to corporations to ruin what we’ve already paid. ” he added.
This update comes just days after an article claimed that the Tomb Raider board game was slamming its own fans and products, claiming that Lara Croft’s character was the result of a “world scarred by colonialism.” It has been deleted.
Ann excerpt The game’s manual provides a definition of the term “raid” and explains that it is a “finder’s turn” that gives raiders the means and incentive to claim ownership of artifacts, whether they have historical or not. “It functions based on the assumptions of people.” Or cultural claims to treasure. ”
Board game creator Evil Hat Productions said it is working with Crystal Dynamics to develop a game that “addresses themes of colonialism” while also “respecting and supporting” other peoples and cultures.
Evil Hat Productions did not respond to inquiries regarding the board game manual. Crystal Dynamics was asked about board games and the decision to remove posters from video games.
This article will be updated with any relevant answers.
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