Ad critic: Lara's booty too big to believe? [update 1]
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Apr 14th 2006 at 8:00AM }
As promised, this is the second weekly installment of a series of posts in which we invite you to rip ads apart after we rip them out of magazines.
Pictured here, a two-page spread that appeared in the April 2006 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly (click for a high-res image). There are actually several variations of this same ad in gaming magazines, but all of them feature Lara Croft's ample posterior, a bootylicious bundle of badonka-donk so large it serves as a friggin' grenade shelf. You might even say it's the bomb. At least that's the sort of salacious thinking that the ad invites.
What do you think of the ad? Does it succeed? Will it sell games? What does "seeing is believing" mean, exactly? Is it really all about the ass? Sure, we know that game quality ultimately sells games, so let's avoid talking about the quality of the game itself. What we want to get at here is whether this ad succeeds or fails to interest you in purchasing a copy of this game.
Gloves off! Go to!
[Update 1: fixed a small typo that nobody else noticed, but that bugged the heck out of me.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
thane_jaw @ Apr 14th 2006 8:12AM
well they seem to be backing away from focusing on the breasts.
One giant leap for womens' groups everything, me thinks not.
Silverback @ Apr 14th 2006 8:18AM
It definately serves to interest me. But after playing the demo off XBL and seeing how decidedly last gen the game is forget it.
ncdign @ Apr 14th 2006 8:19AM
Is this Attack of the 50ft Lara? Why is her shadow so huge over the distant landscape? "LARA SMASH!!!"
codered1200 @ Apr 14th 2006 8:20AM
I Thought that the creators of Tomb Raider wanted to
go back to basics and be rid of the whole sexual appeal
only nature of the games, they wanted to prove that
its not just about T&A.
So if this advert is supposed to attract people that
enjoyed the originals and wanted a great game...it
fails completely.
but if it was just supposed to attract the generic
mainstream guys that just want the sex appeal, then
yeah, it succeeds.
~Davo~ @ Apr 14th 2006 8:22AM
Well sure it'll sell the game, it won't be the biggest reason for the games' sales but it'll definately help. I don't know if it succeeds in getting me to purchase the game since I was already considering it, but for those who weren't already considering to buy the game it could defintely grab their attention in a good way.
fawazr @ Apr 14th 2006 8:23AM
Phatty girlz can be sooo delectable...
The ad does a bang-up job of targetting half of the general population. As good as a Tomb Raider game gets, it's really Laura's assets that push units and the ad makes sure to rope in all the mouth-breathing oglers. Also, the addition of Laura's varied arsenal and backpack can only help to increase interest in the game's combat engine. After all, Laura's 'onion' is packin' heat and enough arsenal to take on a small militia.
BTW, I'm so happy she doesn't have a lower back tatoo.
Derek @ Apr 14th 2006 8:24AM
Granted, I'm not a long time reader of this site, but I'm not enjoying these advertisements masquerading as posts. I hope joystiq is getting paid well for them.
But to give you a short answer: no, the ad does not want to make me buy the game. The demo that I downloaded on Xbox Live, however, was impressive and went quite a ways toward making me forget about the rehashed Tomb Raider garbage Eidos has shoveled into the world for the better part of the last decade. So yes, seeing really is believing.
I'd almost go so far to say that the demo made me want to buy the game, except I don't feel that it (or most other games for that matter) is worth $60 + tax. A lower price, however, might get my attention.
Mark @ Apr 14th 2006 8:27AM
I don't know about the ad, but seeing is DEFINATELY believing.
I downloaded the (600mb) demo on my 360 and i must say that i'm blown away by the visuals. The game is hard and wierd as ever with all its box-moving-trigger-tripping puzzles, but as soon as i get an extra 60 bucks, i'll be picking this one up.
Jason @ Apr 14th 2006 8:35AM
I just assumed the ad was meant to convey to the reader how "realistic" that Lara looks in this one. Having played the game, though, I find the ad a bit funny. I found the game to be fun, but the most jarring thing about Lara in it is how UNrealistic her face looks when zoomed in, vs the rest of her body. Thus the ad with the head cropped off.
Robert @ Apr 14th 2006 8:35AM
I don't really understand the ad. The "seeing is believing" probably doesn't refer to the better graphics because there aren't any screenshots. I can only guess that it's referring to the fact that her shorts are shorter than ever. I didn't believe it when I heard about it, but now that I've seen it, I definitely believe that those are the shortest short-shorts I've ever seen.
You'd think that as an adventurer she might find the need to have pockets, but I guess not. Apparently the tiny backpack holds everything she needs.
And fawazr, nice point about the tattoo.
OldElvis @ Apr 14th 2006 8:43AM
IO have a problem with the sense of scale in the picture ( the reference to what she is standing on is missign so it looks like she's 500 Feet tall); However, not having the horemones of a 14 year old any more, thought I do not believe that this is in anyway titilating...
Fielin @ Apr 14th 2006 8:51AM
Well, I think that the whole point of the phrase "Seeing is believing" is to create interest in discovering what there is to see.
Let me explain :
On the ad, two textual elements "Seeing is believing" and "coming soon"
You can't see Lara Croft's face, only a part of her body. All you can guess is Lara is BIG, or she is very high (hence the size of her shadow).
The landscape is beautiful and detailed, but doesn't reveal anything about the game or the plot.
"Coming soon" means "We can't or won't show you anything about this new game".
But we can promise one thing - when you'll finally see it, you'll believe how great the game is (i.e. Seeing is believing.)
This game is great, and Lara is greater than ever befor (hence the size of the shadow.)
This ad tries to create an interest and a sense of curiosity in those who see it.
What's much more interesting, though, is that the only actual reference to the game is the internet domain name (www.tombraider.com, very small, and nearly invisible), but that everybody realizes it's a Tomb Raider ad.
I'm not a Lara Croft fan, and I think the games are boring. But I find this ad intriguing, and I am sure it created quite a buzz.
delerious @ Apr 14th 2006 8:54AM
Goodness, Laura's so hot. Geez, if she was real... and don't speak of the girl that was on IGN, she does not compare. Man, so hot. I will buy this game just for the sake of Laura, and cause I liked Tomb Raider II.
Jon @ Apr 14th 2006 9:05AM
Wow....has news gotten so slow that joystiq has to result to blogging about ads??? Truly worthless.
TeaTom @ Apr 14th 2006 9:06AM
An advert has never made me want to purchase a game, a chocolate bar maybe, but my gaming choice is a little more considered.
However since playing a demo of the original on the Saturn and finding the many and varied flaws (bad controls, awful camera, bad menu, running into walls)and reading every review for a TR game since where the same flaws are pointed out again and again is what (to this day) prevents me from buying them.
Maybe a little less work should be done on T&A and a little more on R&D.
Chrispy @ Apr 14th 2006 9:08AM
Quite honestly, if Lara's posterior is the biggest feature (no pun intended) worth advertising, I don't think I'm really interested in the game.
Eric @ Apr 14th 2006 9:11AM
If you've ever played a game starring Lara, you've spent plenty of time in the 3rd person; every moment being teazed by her lovely behind...
You would also know that the only thing that is big on Lara are her cans. Huge ass my ass! Lara is so disproportionate to the side of Anorexia, that to suggest a "Beyonce booty" is laughable!
christian aka nsomneia @ Apr 14th 2006 9:12AM
it's just another ad that relys on the 'sexyness' of a certain character be it a virtual or a real character to portray this .. .
the ads are funny, i opened up my OXM this morning and the second ad that i saw, besides the first one being a MASSIVE shot of lara crofts face on my cover jacket, is another one like this jsut her shadow is plastered on a mayan temple.. . and my first thought, "attack of the 50ft lara ?" "hopefully it's better than angel of darkness"
but as to the ad .. . funny? .. . incites a chuckle .. . sexy? maybe .. . if you're into that virtual, half naked kinda stuff.. . but considering how the last tomb raider was (IMO) .. . i suppose they can only go up .. .
Anonymous Rep @ Apr 14th 2006 9:20AM
First, it's Lara Croft. That means that she's automatically larger than life - so the shadow size falling over a forest of palm trees is acceptable. (This IS, after all, advertising.)
Second, no matter that you aren't 14 years old anymore - there's a whole NEW generation of gamers that ARE 14 years old, and to them, the scantilly clad Lara kicking butt and taking names is perfect.
Third, having an assortment of fragmentation grenades on your butt in this fashion, in addition to the two smoke grenades on the backpack, is a perfect invitation to accidental discharge. Can we get the safety clips on the rings, or has she purposely bent the cotter pins so that they can't be pulled out by snagging the rings on a passing branch?
And finally, seeing is believing. Remember how simplistic the graphics were when Lara premiered? (Of course not - you're not old enough. Ask your parents about the rudimentary graphics.) I think what this is trying to indicate is that they've used something similar to the Poser model for realism in body translation and 3D play, and that seeing it in action will make you believe that you're in the game. Personally, I'm waiting for the VR headsets like they have at some arcades and the reality gloves - THEN I'll believe I'm interacting in a 3D world.
martin @ Apr 14th 2006 9:23AM
mm nice ass, too bad i dont have enough EES to get a 360
the_toad @ Apr 14th 2006 9:23AM
if you ask me "seeing is beleiving" is either A) this game is going to have somthing so amazing you have to play it to beleive it or B) the jokes about a topless tomb raider are correct
JimmyHACK @ Apr 14th 2006 9:25AM
I think its a smart ad, most people do not care about Tomb Raider games at all anymore, but with the ad showing some decent character render and the whole "seeing is believing" might peak interest.... I have never cared for Tomb Raider games but I have already finished Legend (too short a game) must ad mit it was fun....
The ad is much better than the lame Hitman ad though
Scott Jon Siegel @ Apr 14th 2006 9:27AM
What I don't get is that I thought they were moving Lara away from her sex symbol status in this latest game. I thought the point of her redesign was to make her proportionally realistic, and re-orient the focus of Tomb Raider games to exploratory gameplay, instead of Lara's "hot rack and ass." These ads are completely contradictory to that notion. Is this the fault of the publisher, the marketers, or did the development team not follow through with their promise? -sj
funkonaut @ Apr 14th 2006 9:29AM
Poop comes out of asses.
Shouldn't they be focusing on her breasts or something?
Me @ Apr 14th 2006 9:33AM
Huh what ass? I mean its a nice firm booty but this will not make me buy this game just to see virtual buttocks! I guess for a caucasian chick its not bad, and im not being racist. If you have encountered enough ethnic booty out there like I have you would feel the same way.
Edigital @ Apr 14th 2006 9:36AM
From this ad alone, if I were to guess what the game were about, I could only say that it appears to be about a 50 foot stripper marooned in the Amazon who's trying to find her way back to a world that doesn't understand her.
All kidding aside, I think this gaming ad disucssion is great.
Let's be honest about this ad, it's not trying to sell the game on anything that makes a game a true success (story, playability, entertainment), instead it's marketing image over substance. It also has some bizzarly primal undertones with the image of a half naked woman looming over the amazon jungle. Is that necessary? I'm not sure. I certainly wouldn't be interested in the game based on this lazy, completely obvious sexual ploy.
I think that making female characters sexy is fine, but we're all grown up now and I think we can be more mature about the role of female characters in video games. Isn't the game about solving puzzles? Shouldn't the ad make you solve a puzzle of some kind? Maybe a picture of Laura doing Sudoku? I don't know, I guess that's why they don't pay me the big bucks.
striderhayasa @ Apr 14th 2006 9:42AM
hmmm, this is kinda lame. Tomb Raider Legend is good, better than expected but it's not worth 60 bucks. It's been said I know and I agree. It seems like it would be worth it because of all of the crap Tomb Raiders that have come out over the years, it's just not. The ad is lame. What are we talking about? A polygon ass? c'mon, what is that? besides even if they used the newly tapped Lara in the UK to use as an example, that still wouldn't be good enough. Beyonce? Who mentioned Beyonce? Are you kidding me? She doesn't even rank in the top 10. Try Buffi the Body or Serena Williams, or Cherokee if you want an example of massive plumpage.
Now that we have all contributed to this surprisingly bad blog, can we move on now?
Neko Tsukimi @ Apr 14th 2006 9:46AM
That booty is in no way big. Just well-shaped. Lara wouldn't be able to get into a rap video with that thing no matter how well she shook it.
catma @ Apr 14th 2006 9:47AM
This is nothing more then another "skin" ad to try and sell a game to young teens who will touch themselves over a virtual woman. Noticably though Lara's boobs are smaller, or at least from the persepective that this picture is taken from.
The phrase "seeing is believing" leaves the consumer wondering how this game will vary from the other games in the series as well as the two terrible movies produced. Perhaps the phrase is getting at this game will be a sort of rebirth of the series perhaps where instead of focusing so much on T&A the developers will focus on game play and critical thinking. However after reading this disappointment of a number of readers here about how bad the demo actually is, my idea seems pretty much crap.
"coming soon" just makes the game more appealing because you can actually look forward to its release, whether that be in a few weeks or a few months.
Overall the ad does do what it sets out to do, get those who could potentially buy the game even more interested then they already are. The shortfall of this ad is that it isn't appealing to anyone other then fans and horny teenage boys.
Raffi @ Apr 14th 2006 9:50AM
Alright well I don't see how this ad will succeed in selling games. Attracting some sort of attention? Sure. But how many people are going to see a picture of a big Lara and say "hmm, this should be a good game". Not many. There are no screenshots, no feature list or anything. Personally the only thing I was thinking of when I first took a look at the ad was simply "nice. another ad with ass." *flip page without looking at product*.
christian aka nsomneia @ Apr 14th 2006 10:05AM
sudoku isn't really gonna sell in comparison to TnA (can't believe i just used that, blah) but it's true .. . ads go for the general concensus of people.. . if sex can sell, who cares about intelligence .. .
i sometimes feel game creators miss that .. . that they don't care about the game playability, they just want to show off there new character model(s) with bigger lumps, in the back and in the front .. . and they lose track of what we play games for .. . for the game, for the story.. .
character models and graphics in general come second in my book .. . hell i still play alot of PS1, super nes, nes games because the stories are good .. . and there just fun .. . i play alot of whacky ps2 games (MR.Mosquito, KATAMARI DAMACY, guitarooman, etc.) cause there not heavy graphics and the developers focused on THE GAME, not their shiny new character model made from a million polygons for uber realism.. .
but all aside .. .
does it sell on sex? yes
does it sell on pre-teen and teen hormones? YES! guns and lumps are great .. . XD
does it give those boys an false image of woman? you bet .. .
if the game is half as good as it looks, i'll be .. . surprised .. . but i'm not really keeping my hopes up for that one .. .
Kiey @ Apr 14th 2006 10:08AM
When I see the ad, what I think is that they aren't showing her face, and that the main focus is obviously on her body. But unlike past Lara they aren't focusing on her breasts.
Although from how the ad is with the whole "seeing is believing" line. They could be talking about her chest, like you get to see her butt for free, but you gotta pay $50 to get to see the real goods.
The1 @ Apr 14th 2006 10:12AM
Some people like BIG butts... :)
Rymix @ Apr 14th 2006 10:17AM
I would
Derek @ Apr 14th 2006 10:18AM
More like on her ass, but I think the ad would sell to guys who are into that.
I would think that ad needed to show more than a big butt to sell a game though. IMO
jayntampa @ Apr 14th 2006 10:27AM
I think some of the posters are missing the point of this particular ad -- this one isn't exactly supposed to sell games. It's a teaser ad that is supposed to build buzz and inform people that the game is coming -- the concept that "seeing is believing" is simply to entice the reader/viewer to look deeper into the game ... it's a hook for the release, not to sell it.
Consider it like a teaser or promotional poster for a movie. Considering the character -- an attractive woman adventurer, of course she's going to have a certain aspect of sex appeal -- but what they didn't do is show her huge chest, put her in a suggestive pose, etc. I think that is way toned down and definitely would make me interested in looking into the game.
32_footsteps @ Apr 14th 2006 10:32AM
My first thought? That Lara's breast implants somehow migrated south.
That aside, I think it's interesting how this ad almost de-emphasizes violence. Note the dark colors of her weapons, as opposed the the bright contrasts used to highlight the scenery and Ms. Croft's posterior. I'd almost think that they plan on minimizing the fight sequences in the game to emphasize exploring.
In that, I think it's an effective ad. That said, I don't see any reason why I'll suddenly start liking Tomb Raider, and won't pick it up.
HotShotX @ Apr 14th 2006 10:35AM
I guess we now know where all that missing body fat on her arch-rival went.
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/06/lara-crofts-new-rival/
Garold @ Apr 14th 2006 10:37AM
Why is it that every video game character has pants that look like they're glued to the butt? I don't know about you guys, but my pants don't take the exact shape of my posterior.
logikil @ Apr 14th 2006 10:38AM
Personally, I don't think the ad works very well. It's an ad about Tomb Raider, and ya it features Lara Croft, but what else does it really say about the game? This is supposed to be Lara's big come back and the best the ad folks can do is show a picture of her ass? Personally i think shes more sexy kicking butt and taking names.
The only folks that this interests are prepubecent boys, like pretty much every Rumble Roses XX ad.
Gareth @ Apr 14th 2006 10:53AM
"Is it really all about the ass?"
Why do you Americans refer to the arse as a mule? Always wondered that.
Bryan @ Apr 14th 2006 10:53AM
This entire conversation (as well as the initial post) is a waste of time, because that is in no way a badunkadunk. That is merely athletic.
Justin @ Apr 14th 2006 11:05AM
I personally think the whole "Seeing is beleiving" quote to me is like the developers saying "Yeah the last 3 to 4 games that came are were pretty much crap but trust us, once you see and play the game you'll know that Tomb Raider is back and in a good way."
Just my opinion of course.
thispaceforsale @ Apr 14th 2006 11:27AM
The best videogame print ad I have seen was for FFVII, a single fullsize screenshot looking fantastic. With a tagline saying "Someone better get those cartridge guys a cigarette"
Brilliant, I kept the ad (but I never got a PS)
WIth the Lara ad, her ass really doesn't look that large, it's just drawn that way (to steal a line). By that I mean the perspectives and dimensions are off. It's not like she is bending over picking up an ammo clip or something.
Repsode @ Apr 14th 2006 11:38AM
uh... Hang on a minute. The ad feature about 3/4 of Lara Croft, yet everyone here is focusing on her ass?
Personally I see nothing suggestive about this ad at all. It's an image of Lara looking over a cliff at a forest. Thats it. There have been much more suggestive ads for previous games.
The Seeing is Beleiving bit, I feel, is in reference to franchises' bad rep after AoD, and is basically asking for gamers to give it a chance. The forest represents a return to form, actual raiding of tombs.
The large shadow, to me, represents the history an impact Ms Croft once had the industry.
Some of you guys need to get your minds out of the gutter.
Gary @ Apr 14th 2006 11:44AM
I agree with Garold. Far an advertisement that so prominently displays a digital arse, it's rendered with a cartoonish texture akin to a Wallace and Gromit figure. I think the buttocks should have been given a more lifelike look rather that seeming to be a part of the "Killer Bean" animation from several years back.
If memory serves, buttock cleavage, in the standing position, doesn't part the individual buttocks completely from start to finish as the fabric's texture indicates. Also, the width of her left thigh at the gun strap matches the width of her waist at its skinniest. I doubt even Playboy could compete with those cartoony contortions.
The ad seems to convey that it wants the viewer to contemplate frottage with a cross between a soul train dancer and a muppet.
Exbzurg @ Apr 14th 2006 11:58AM
I dont see why everyone cares about her ass. I mean I see girls at school who expose themselves more. And have you watched TV shows recently? These short shorts(IDK what they are actually called) are semi-popular right now, especailly for athletic girls and especailly during the warmer months... anyways its not a big deal... imho.
Exbzurg @ Apr 14th 2006 12:02PM
wait... i get it. Lara is the 17th colossus....
Guess where the weak point is.....
(anyways my above comment still stands, i just had to get that joke in.)
HEPCECOB @ Apr 14th 2006 12:04PM
Maby I'm missing something, but what made tomb raider so succesful in the first place was that the main character, Lara Croft, was hot. THAT was the main selling point of the original game. Also lets not forget that sex sells.
Cornington @ Apr 14th 2006 12:14PM
You people seem to be forgetting something about this ad.
It's not for us.
People who care about the actual content of the game aren't going to be swayed by any ad that comes out. We already know the game is going to be out, we all know pretty much whether or not we're going to buy it, and if we don't, we'll play the demo or read reviews.
This ad is geared towards the(sadly, larger) demographic of people who will pay $60 based off an ad like this. If a market exists and you can sell your current product to that larger demographic, I don't see how that is outside of their rights to do so.