Changes

The designers called for a game with elements of puzzle-solving and exploration, fitting in with the "pyramid concept" - naturally, the lead character would be an archaeologist.  They also wanted plenty of action and an epic storyline to tie everything together.  And the lead character was changed to a woman, after the first initial drafts bore too much of a resemblence to Paramount's "Indiana Jones".  At first rejecting "muscle women" and militants with a blond, "Nazi" look, Gard settled upon a tough South American with a long braid he initially named "Laura Cruz".  Hitting resistance from Eidos, Core Design's parent company, Gard went with their request that the character be British, and soon, "Lara Croft" - with the riches and pedigree of an English lordship - was created[http://retro.ign.com/articles/856/856183p1.html#].  The addition of in-game cinematics tied to the storyline was another first, and in November 1996 ''Tomb Raider'' was released, becoming a number 1 hit within hours and staying in that position for months [http://retro.ign.com/articles/856/856183p2.html].

The designers called for a game with elements of puzzle-solving and exploration, fitting in with the "pyramid concept" - naturally, the lead character would be an archaeologist.  They also wanted plenty of action and an epic storyline to tie everything together.  And the lead character was changed to a woman, after the first initial drafts bore too much of a resemblence to Paramount's "Indiana Jones".  At first rejecting "muscle women" and militants with a blond, "Nazi" look, Gard settled upon a tough South American with a long braid he initially named "Laura Cruz".  Hitting resistance from Eidos, Core Design's parent company, Gard went with their request that the character be British, and soon, "Lara Croft" - with the riches and pedigree of an English lordship - was created[http://retro.ign.com/articles/856/856183p1.html#].  The addition of in-game cinematics tied to the storyline was another first, and in November 1996 ''Tomb Raider'' was released, becoming a number 1 hit within hours and staying in that position for months [http://retro.ign.com/articles/856/856183p2.html].

 

As ''Tomb Raider'' became a phenomenon, critics of the game clamored for attention.  Feminists were critical over her physique: a large-breasted, well-proportioned woman who seemed too perfect, never mind the fact that her chest size was the result of an accidental mouse click which was ordered to stay before creator Toby Gard could revert it.  The scientists claimed that such a woman just couldn't move around as was done within the game.  Animal rights activists had to have their say, as there was just too-much animal-involved killing, despite the fact that some of the animals gunned down by Lara were represented by the mythological (mummified cats and [[centaur]]s), or the extinct (''[[Tyrannosaurus rex]]'').  Eidos ignored all of it, as their profit margin jumped to over $14 million in less than a year as a result of ''Tomb Raider''; prior to that, they were looking at over $2 million in deficits and possible bankruptcy. [http://retro.ign.com/articles/856/856183p2.html]

As ''Tomb Raider'' became a phenomenon, critics of the game clamored for attention.  Feminists were critical over her physique: a large-breasted, well-proportioned woman who seemed too perfect, never mind the fact that her chest size was the result of an accidental mouse click which was ordered to stay before creator Toby Gard could revert it.  The scientists claimed that such a woman just couldn't move around as was done within the game.  Animal rights activists had to have their say, as there was just too-much animal-involved killing, despite the fact that some of the animals gunned down by Lara were represented by the mythological (mummified cats and [[centaur]]s), or the extinct (''[[Tyrannosaurus rex]]'').  Eidos ignored all of it, as their profit margin jumped to over $14 million in less than a year as a result of ''Tomb Raider''; prior to that, they were looking at over $2 million in deficits and possible bankruptcy. [http://retro.ign.com/articles/856/856183p2.html]