Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SCi pulls out of buyout talks, stock plunges following Tomb Raider delay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/sci-pulls-out-of-buyout-talks-stock-plunges-following-tomb-raid/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/sci-pulls-out-of-buyout-talks-stock-plunges-following-tomb-raid/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/sci-pulls-out-of-buyout-talks-stock-plunges-following-tomb-raid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Eidos owner SCi has been on the hunt for a potential suitor for some time, reportedly having batted its eyelashes at everyone from Midway and Vivendi to Time Warner and even some mysterious outfit in China, with none showing enough interest to sign their name across the dotted line. However, after having been given the cold shoulder by Ubisoft last October, the British firm has finally gotten the hint and moved on, stating that it had not received any formal offers within the requested timeframe.

What this means to you and I is that it may be some time before we see another major release branded with the Eidos logo, as SCi confirmed that it has pushed out the recently revealed Tomb Raider: Underworld until the fourth quarter of 2008, along with three other unspecified titles. The company also announced plans to bring Lara Croft's latest escapade to the DS, Wii and PS2, in addition to the previously known versions for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.

Way to be strong, SCi, but you might not want to look at your stock this morning. Following the firm's decision to go it alone, SCi's stock hit "rock bottom," and according to a new Bloomberg report, suffered its biggest plummet in more than 18 years, falling some 61 percent after SCi admitted that the aforementioned delays will likely result in an operating loss for 2008 and that the company may need to look to outside parties for the money to stay afloat. Of course, with SCi's share price now swimming with the fishes, we wouldn't be too surprised if another company now swooped in and bought up SCi and its properties at bargain basement prices. You hear that EA? Someone is singing your song.

JoystiqSCi pulls out of buyout talks, stock plunges following Tomb Raider delay originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitioncrystal dynamicscrystal-dynamicsCrystalDynamicsDSeidoslara croftlara-croftLaraCroftPCPS2PS3scistocktomb raidertomb-raiderTombRaiderWiiXbox-360Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The B[ack]log: Happy Anniversary, Miss Croft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-b-ack-log-happy-anniversary-miss-croft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-b-ack-log-happy-anniversary-miss-croft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-b-ack-log-happy-anniversary-miss-croft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Jacqueline Natla is quite obviously the villain in Tomb Raider: Anniversary. In the 1996 original, the only initial clues to her evil nature resided in a somewhat condescending tone of voice and a far too serious haircut. The opening moments of the Crystal Dynamics remake, however, show a more conniving woman with flowing blond hair, almost alien facial features and suspiciously long fingers. Still a bit of a condescending hag, though.

"My company has recently turned its focus on the study of ancient artifacts, and I am lead to believe that with the right incentive, you are just the woman to find them for me," she says, addressing one of gaming's most iconic characters, Lara Croft. "I'm afraid you've been mistaken," comes the decorous reply. "I only play for sport." Ah, but Natla's done her research. "Which is precisely why I've come to you Miss Croft. This is a game you've played before..."

Though trusting the words of a noticeably vile video game character is generally not advised, they're true in this case. Tomb Raider: Anniversary is indeed a game you've played before, at least if you had the good sense to play Tomb Raider at some point in your fulfilling life (replace "fulfilling" with "miserable" if you haven't). The reworked puzzles, contemporized controls and modern presentation may set Anniversary apart from the groundbreaking effort by Core Design, but beneath those layers lies the same game with the same ideals. Either Tomb Raider was nearly eleven years ahead of its time, or the games we play just haven't changed all that much.

Continue reading The B[ack]log: Happy Anniversary, Miss Croft

JoystiqThe B[ack]log: Happy Anniversary, Miss Croft originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-AdventurebacklogBuzz-MonkeyBuzz-Monkey-SoftwareCore-DesignCrystal DynamicsCrystal-DynamicsCrystalDynamicsEidosEidos-InteractiveLara CroftLaraCroftMicrosoftNixxes-SoftwarePCPlatformingPS2Robosoft-TechnologiesTomb-RaiderTomb-Raider-AnniversaryWiiXbox-360Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Minnie Driver to voice animated Lara Croft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/minnie-driver-to-voice-animated-lara-croft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/minnie-driver-to-voice-animated-lara-croft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/minnie-driver-to-voice-animated-lara-croft/#commentsFiled under: ,


We have a very serious question regarding this particular news item. What happens when you put Minnie Driver into a Mini Cooper S? Would the unusual occurrence of a famous Driver becoming a Mini driver release an unstoppable explosion of meta-energy, forcing the entire universe to infinitely collapse in on itself? We're not sure if anybody has tested this theory, but the more likely outcome would be Ms. Minnie running us over for childishly poking fun at her name and wasting an entire paragraph before talking about her latest role.

Ahem.

The gist of it, you see, is that GameTap's upcoming ReVision animated series, which initially chronicles the adventures of one Lara Croft, is set to become a star vehicle of sorts for Minnie Driver. Reuters reports the actress and occasional singer will lend her voice to Tomb Raider's gun-toting heroine for ten episodes, the first three of which will come from Aeon Flux alum, Peter Chung. Further episodes will have other artists interpreting the iconic action archaeologist, while future seasons of ReVision will delve into other characters and games.

[Via Tomb Raider Chronicles]

JoystiqMinnie Driver to voice animated Lara Croft originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GametapLara CroftLaraCroftMinnie DriverMinnieDriverReVisionTomb RaiderTombRaiderTue, 03 Jul 2007 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomb Raider Anniversary looking less chunky in new screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/tomb-raider-anniversary-looking-less-chunkier-in-new-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/tomb-raider-anniversary-looking-less-chunkier-in-new-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/tomb-raider-anniversary-looking-less-chunkier-in-new-screens/#commentsFiled under:


A fresh batch of screen shots from Lara Croft's upcoming Tomb Raider Anniversary go-round on the PSP shows a prettier and less "chunkier" Tomb Raider than Legend was, though at this point we're more curious as to how it plays. Last year's Tomb Raider Legend turned out pretty decent, but frame rate issues, chunky textures and clunky controls hurt the overall reception of the title. Feast your eyes on the recent released screenshots of the PSP-bound title and let us know if this reiteration is still on your radar. Despite the slight delay from its original June release, Tomb Raider Anniversary is still on the agenda for a late July arrival. Lets hope the extra time spent on its development results in a classier and smoother ride.

JoystiqTomb Raider Anniversary looking less chunky in new screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycrystal dynamicsCrystalDynamicseidoslara croftLaraCroftlegendtomb raider anniversaryTombRaiderAnniversaryTue, 03 Jul 2007 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Lara Croft opens women-only beach in Italy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/lara-croft-opens-women-only-beach-in-italy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/lara-croft-opens-women-only-beach-in-italy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/lara-croft-opens-women-only-beach-in-italy/#commentsFiled under: , ,


No, we're not quite sure we understand the purpose of a female-only beach either, but experience has taught us that it's never a good strategy to question the wisdom of a woman wielding two guns. Doubly so if said woman happens to be one famous for destroying dinosaurs and gallivanting through graves, Lara Croft. The action archaeologist and Tomb Raider star, here represented by non-polygonal human model Karima Adebibe (she's the one with the big guns), opened Italy's first women-only beach in Riccione, "an exclusive resort near Rimini on the east coast" as Gamertag Radio reminds us.

Though you may have briefly interpreted the presence of Lara's scantily-clad posse as proof that the next Tomb Raider game would be "Pikmin with babes," the ladies were in fact there to compete in "Miss Muretto," a beauty contest coinciding with the opening (or closing if you're a guy) of "Pink Beach." Don't worry, we're sure there's a nearby lookout point that's ideal for surveying Italy's finest beaches. If being a pervert isn't your thing, there's always the superb Tomb Raider: Anniversary to keep you occupied indoors.

JoystiqLara Croft opens women-only beach in Italy originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EidosLara CroftLaraCroftTomb RaiderTombRaiderWed, 27 Jun 2007 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Tomb Raider: Anniversary making its way to PS3?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/rumor-tomb-raider-anniversary-making-its-way-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/rumor-tomb-raider-anniversary-making-its-way-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/rumor-tomb-raider-anniversary-making-its-way-to-ps3/#commentsFiled under:

The Xbox 360 is receiving their Tomb Raider: Anniversary fix in the form of episodic content over Xbox Live, however it's initially limited only to those that own the last next-gen outing, Tomb Raider: Legend. While it would seem trite of Eidos to snub Sony by not releasing any similar content for the PlayStation Network, they do have plans to release a retail version of all episodic content on one disc. PSX Extreme says there is reason to believe this retail version will hit PS3 through the magical re-engineering of porting the Xbox 360 code.

We aren't holding our breath on this one. Knowing how most devs feel about the port process leave us more than a bit skeptical, especially considering the fact that Tomb Raider: Anniversary is more or less just a new map on top of the already-built game engine of Tomb Raider: Legend. Porting it to PS3 would more than likely take a larger team of devs to complete than Eidos is willing to fund. But hey, we're wishful thinkers. We sincerely hope that if this slim rumor holds any weight, the port team will be diligent and give PS3 owners the chance to experience the new Tomb Raider: Anniversary content in all its PS3 splendor.

JoystiqRumor: Tomb Raider: Anniversary making its way to PS3? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crystal dynamicsCrystalDynamicseidoslara croftLaraCrofttomb raidertomb raider: anniversarytomb raider: legendTombRaiderTombRaider:AnniversaryTombRaider:LegendMon, 18 Jun 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomb Raider episodic content in September]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/tomb-raider-episodic-content-in-september/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/tomb-raider-episodic-content-in-september/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/tomb-raider-episodic-content-in-september/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Eidos UK announced that Tomb Raider: Anniversary will be 4 pieces of episodic content, playable through Tomb Raider: Legend, with the first two episodes releasing in September. The complete set, (including a the Croft Manor as a free download), will come to 2400 MS points, or 600 Microsoft points per episode. Since playing requires having Legend handy, those strictly wanting the content alone can wait until later in the year for the retail release. So, in short we were right, but it still leaves a question lingering. Since the episodes will be tied to Legend, is there going to be a maximum of 250 Gamerscore to be given out, if it even has additional Achievements? If that's the case, then what about the retail release, will that have 1000 Gamerscore? Either way, this could be breaking new ground on Xbox Live.

[Via Joystiq. Thanks, Bob]

JoystiqTomb Raider episodic content in September originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AnniversaryLara CroftLara Croft Tomb RaiderLara Croft Tomb Raider AnniversaryLaraCroftLaraCroftTombRaiderLaraCroftTombRaiderAnniversaryTomb RaiderTomb Raider AnniversaryTombRaiderTombRaiderAnniversaryMon, 18 Jun 2007 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Lady Croft runs out of steam in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/lady-croft-runs-out-of-steam-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/lady-croft-runs-out-of-steam-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/lady-croft-runs-out-of-steam-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: ,

While we joke that everyone and their mother was invited to purchase and play Lara Croft's big Tomb Raider: Anniversary, it seems an invitation got lost in the mail. The European version of Valve's Steam service no longer has the game available. According to GI.biz, neither Valve nor Eidos is explaining why. Apparently after the final stage of purchase the service says, "Sorry, but Tomb Raider: Anniversary (ROW) is not available for purchase in this country. Your purchase has been canceled."

Too bad European Steam users. On a happy note, you can still purchase the game practically everywhere else in the outside world and even at TombRaider.com ... or Eidos' official site. For North Americans, feel free to join Lara at retail, Steam, GameTap and we're sure Eidos will be offering the game by carrier pigeon soon too.

JoystiqLady Croft runs out of steam in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eidoslara croftPCsteamtomb raiderThu, 07 Jun 2007 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomb Raider and Anniversary comparison video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/tomb-raider-and-anniversary-comparison-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/tomb-raider-and-anniversary-comparison-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/tomb-raider-and-anniversary-comparison-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Next week sees the release of Tomb Raider: Anniversary, where Lady Croft goes to the salon and fixes her roots. The video above shows the transformation of the original Tomb Raider into Anniversary. Tomb Raider: Legend (now playable for free on GameTap) reawakened the joy for many in Tomb Raider and reinvigorated the franchise. We're hoping that Anniversary is a fitting tribute to the original but, and this was part of the design behind Anniversary, puts some modern concepts into the gameplay for gamers who are just joining the series post Legend.

We're definitely looking forward to E3 and seeing how far along the Tomb Raider: Legend sequel is. Although not half as painful of a cliffhanger as Halo 2, the ending to Legend (which came about 8 hours too early) was excellent and we were ready to put down the cash for the sequel right there. If Anniversary continues the solid gameplay trend of the new Lara Croft, the future looks bright again for the series.

JoystiqTomb Raider and Anniversary comparison video originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-AdventureBuzz-MonkeyBuzz-Monkey-SoftwareCrystal-DynamicsEidosEidos-Interactivegametaplara croftMicrosoftNixxes-SoftwarePCPlatformingplaystationPS2Robosoft-TechnologiessteamTomb-RaiderTomb-Raider-AnniversaryXbox-360Thu, 31 May 2007 20:59:00 EST<![CDATA[GameTap launches free ad-supported service]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/gametap-launches-free-ad-supported-service/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/gametap-launches-free-ad-supported-service/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/gametap-launches-free-ad-supported-service/#commentsFiled under: ,


Today begins the next iteration of game subscription service GameTap. One of the key components of this new version is the free ad-supported service that'll have about 30 games on a rotating schedule, starting with titles like Metal Slug (which will have online co-op), Bust-A-Move, Bubble Bobble and Rampage. Best of all, part of this free service is being able to play the excellent return of Lara Croft in last year's Tomb Raider: Legend. Yes, for free.

As part of their regular paying subscription service, GameTap is rolling out Panzer Dragoon, Metal Slug 2, Art of Fighting, The King of Fighters '95 and Tomb Raider: Legend. We're mostly looking forward to logging into the service next week and playing Tomb Raider: Anniversary as part of the normal subscription fee without having to experience the unwashed masses at retail. You can also purchase the full version digitally from Steam if you don't want to pony up the $10 for GameTap, or there is always the option to purchasing it directly from GameTap's new digitial distribution service, which is completely different from their subscription and free gaming sections. There's a lot of changes going on at GameTap, and we're more than happy to play classic arcade and console games free ... legally.

JoystiqGameTap launches free ad-supported service originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>freegametaplara croftPCsubscriptiontomb raiderTombRaiderThu, 31 May 2007 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Croft's Anniversary gains Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/crofts-anniversary-gains-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/crofts-anniversary-gains-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/crofts-anniversary-gains-steam/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lara's throwing her big Anniversary bash and it looks like every conceivable outlet who can sell or run the game is invited to the party. We've got typical retail, GameTap and now Steam is in there too. Everyone into the pool on June 5 for Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Just make sure you take a buddy, because you might drown from all the people crowded in there.

We can't help but wonder if this is the nature of things to come. This is the first explicit moment of a trifecta release. Retail, digital distribution (Steam) and subscription service distribution (GameTap). That's just for PC. The PS2 and PSP editions come in their standard box at retail format. We still find it strange that the game still hasn't been announced for the Xbox 360. If it gets announced for XBLA, that's it, we'll have officially entered a new era of game distribution.

[Via Press Release]

JoystiqCroft's Anniversary gains Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2007 23:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-AdventureCrystal-Dynamicsdigitial distributionEidosEidos-Interactivelara croftLaraCroftNixxes-SoftwarePCPlatformingsteamTomb-RaiderTomb-Raider-AnniversaryTue, 29 May 2007 23:40:00 EST<![CDATA[GameTap's Lara Croft mega-site]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/gametaps-lara-croft-mega-site/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/gametaps-lara-croft-mega-site/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/gametaps-lara-croft-mega-site/#commentsFiled under: ,


If there's been any entity who has surprised us over the last year, it's GameTap. The online game service that started off as nothing more than a retro library repository is really turning into something completely different. Starting with Sam & Max, then URU, then their reinvention of sorts at the end of this month including a "free-to-play" service, topped by the leak of Grimm this morning, this isn't the GameTap we once knew. Their latest venture is a website fully dedicated to Lara Croft with a retrospective documentary and a conceptually amazing animated series beginning in July.

Although the 10 year retrospective documentary is definitely interesting, the thing that really catches our eye is the "Re\Visioned" series that starts in July. An animated series of shorts all featuring Lara Croft by artists and writers well known in the animation field. The first three episodes are by Peter Chung, best known for Aeon Flux and a segment in the Animatrix (although his credentials really do go on and on). All the shorts will be available to view for free on this GameTap Lara Croft site. After the Lara Croft series is done, GameTap will apparently do more characters as part of this Re\Visioned series. Even if they stick with Eidos' characters it'd be cool to see Hitman and Kane and Lynch, but they're apparently going in a completely different direction.

The website also includes a bunch of extra content like clips of all the models who have "been" Lara Croft, conversations with developers, sneak peeks at Tomb Raider: Anniversary (which will be "free" to GameTap subscribers on the same day it launches in stores) and just a mess of other stuff. Definitely worth checking out for behind-the-scenes geekery and if you're looking to get a feel for the franchise in a nutshell.

JoystiqGameTap's Lara Croft mega-site originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gametaplara croftLaraCroftPCretrospectiverevisionedtomb raiderFri, 18 May 2007 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's raidingest video: Tomb Raider]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/26/todays-raidingest-video-tomb-raider/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/26/todays-raidingest-video-tomb-raider/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/26/todays-raidingest-video-tomb-raider/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Some of us have been jonseing for each successive Tomb Raider adventure ever since Lara Croft decided that messing up archaeological sites wasn't just for Indy. (Where were the interns and study? No, Kurtis Trent and Short Round don't count.) The June 5 launch of the original, remade with updated graphics (and we can only hope controls), as Tomb Raider: Anniversary is just around the corner.

The tombs aren't going to just raid themselves; our video pick is the latest trailer for the back-to-her roots game. We don't see much that we didn't already know -- surprise, the game has "mild suggestive themes" -- but we're sure fans will appreciate the latest look at Lara. See the video after the break.

Continue reading Today's raidingest video: Tomb Raider

JoystiqToday's raidingest video: Tomb Raider originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarylara croftLaraCroftlaura croftLauraCroftPCPS2PSPremaketomb raiderTomb-RaiderTomb-Raider-AnniversaryTombRaiderThu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomb Raider: Anniversary set for June 5th (don't forget!)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/25/tomb-raider-anniversary-set-for-june-5th/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/25/tomb-raider-anniversary-set-for-june-5th/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/25/tomb-raider-anniversary-set-for-june-5th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Those longing to don a pair of unreasonably tight pants, shoot up ancestral tombs and mow down innocent bears (without getting arrested) would be wise to circle the date of June 5th, 2007 on their official Rhona Mitra calendars. This day marks the release of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary, a Crystal Dynamics remake of the adventure that put the grave-robbing heroine on the map, the coffee mug, the magazine cover and the unfortunate t-shirt which proclaimed, "I raided Lara's tomb."

Hearkening to a time (1996!) when Tomb Raider regularly induced drool as opposed to debilitating nausea, Anniversary sees reworked puzzles, improved controls and enhanced graphics injected into one of the greatest games of all time. Play it on your PS2, PC or PSP while you wait for a sequel to last year's surprisingly superb Tomb Raider: Legend to arrive -- and don't forget to do a graceful swan dive straight into a boulder. That's always good for a laugh.

JoystiqTomb Raider: Anniversary set for June 5th (don't forget!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-AdventureAngelina JolieAngelinaJolieCrystal DynamicsCrystal-DynamicsCrystalDynamicsEidosEidos-InteractiveLara CroftLaraCroftNixxes-SoftwarePCPlatformingPS2PSPTomb RaiderTomb-RaiderTomb-Raider-AnniversaryWed, 25 Apr 2007 16:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomb Raider Anniversary site online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/25/tomb-raider-anniversary-site-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/25/tomb-raider-anniversary-site-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/25/tomb-raider-anniversary-site-online/#commentsFiled under:

Ever wanted to go back and play the original Tomb Raider, but couldn't stand the old control scheme or graphics? Well. you're in luck, because Tomb Raider Anniversary will give you the chance to replay Lara's first game adventure but redone by the folks at Crystal Dynamics. Interested parties can explore the Tomb Raider Anniversary site to see screens, a trailer, info on the game or just to find out more about Ms. Croft herself. Since the last Tomb Raider turned out so well, there's a very good possibility this remake could be better than the original.

JoystiqTomb Raider Anniversary site online originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Feb 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lara croftLaraCrofttomb raidertomb raider anniversaryTombRaiderTombRaiderAnniversarySun, 25 Feb 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The top ten girls of PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/25/top-10-girls-of-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/25/top-10-girls-of-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/25/top-10-girls-of-psp/#commentsFiled under:

You've seen the top ten girls of Hooters. You've perused the top ten women of tennis. You may even have seen the top ten girls of gaming, but you haven't yet seen the top ten girls of PSP. Until now that is! The requirements are simple, to qualify she has to be a girl and has to be in a PSP game. But enough with the procrastinating, on with the ceremony!

Top ten after the jump ...

Continue reading The top ten girls of PSP

JoystiqThe top ten girls of PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bleachchristie monteiroChristieMonteirodarkstalkersdaxterEvagirlsgitaroo manGitarooManguilty gearGuiltyGearhottest girlsHottestGirlsi-nokirahlara croftLaraCroftlian xingLianXingmetal gear solidMetalGearSolidmorriganorihimesakurastreet fighter alpha 3StreetFighterAlpha3syphon filterSyphonFiltertaryntekkentomb raiderTombRaiderThu, 25 Jan 2007 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Catfight: Adrienne Curry vs. Lara Croft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/29/catfight-adrienne-curry-vs-lara-croft/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/29/catfight-adrienne-curry-vs-lara-croft/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/29/catfight-adrienne-curry-vs-lara-croft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Graphics card maker NVIDIA and pants tent maker Adrienne Curry (of America's Next Top Model fame) have teamed to create "the world's first real-time, virtual celebrity," according to an NVIDIA press release. Though the "world's first" claim is dubious (companies have been working on this sort of thing since before the days of Max Headroom), we like that Ms. Curry took a dig at Lara Croft via the release:

"The Digital Adrianne is so realistic, it's really trippy. Lara Croft, eat my shorts!"

Actually, that's a great idea, Adrienne. Make it happen, NVIDIA. Literally -- by this time next year, virtual Lara needs to wrestle off and eat virtual Adrienne's shorts. As a tech demonstration to prove Adrienne's polygonal superiority and stuff.

Click "continue" for some video of the virtual Curry.

Continue reading Catfight: Adrienne Curry vs. Lara Croft

JoystiqCatfight: Adrienne Curry vs. Lara Croft originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adrienne curryamntmlara croftLaraCroftPCtomb raidervirtual avatarFri, 29 Dec 2006 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's hottest game video: Tomb Raider trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/25/todays-hottest-game-video-tomb-raider-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/25/todays-hottest-game-video-tomb-raider-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/25/todays-hottest-game-video-tomb-raider-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

She's said to be "drool"-worthy, but does that make a good game? Today's most-watched GameTrailers video shows the acrobatic Lara Croft in the trailer for the next Tomb Raider game. With the required low-angle shots of Lara -- from in-front and behind -- the video mixes cut-scene-renders with a little in-game footage at the end.

See the trailer after the break. Did it make you drool?

Continue reading Today's hottest game video: Tomb Raider trailer

JoystiqToday's hottest game video: Tomb Raider trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hottest videoHottestVideoLara CroftLaraCroftPS3Tomb RaiderTombRaiderXbox-360Mon, 25 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Lara Croft to make us drool, vows Eidos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/18/new-lara-croft-to-make-us-drool-vows-eidos/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/18/new-lara-croft-to-make-us-drool-vows-eidos/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/18/new-lara-croft-to-make-us-drool-vows-eidos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

lara...Eidos exec Ian Livingstone OBE reminds us that the next Tomb Raider is still all about the curves and bounce of its star Lara Croft. "I've seen some of the in-game models and it's just like watching television; if you felt you were in love with Lara Croft previously, you ain't seen nothing yet. You'll be drooling when you see the new Lara as she appears in the next iteration," Livingstone promised Eurogamer TV. Aw c'mon! Just tell us ... are you gonna license the DOA Xtreme engine?

But seriously, Livingstone wasn't even trying to sell us on any other aspect of the game. Is drool-factor enough to keep this franchise from falling off again?

In related news, for those that prefer a slightly more real infatuation, Angelina looks to be donning the short-shorts again, as Livingstone confirmed Paramount has agreed to hire a scriptwriter for a third Tomb Raider movie.

JoystiqNew Lara Croft to make us drool, vows Eidos originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Lara CroftLaraCroftPS3Tomb RaiderTombRaiderXbox-360Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Warner Bros. buys 10% of SCi]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/15/warner-bros-buys-10-of-sci/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/15/warner-bros-buys-10-of-sci/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/15/warner-bros-buys-10-of-sci/#commentsFiled under:

Warner Bros., a subsidiary of Time Warner (who owns our parent company, Weblogs Inc.) is moving its way back into the gaming development business. Not since the Atari days in the 1980s has Warner held any serious hold in the game development front. Now it would seem that there are changes afoot.

Warner Bros. purchased a 10% interest in SCi Entertainment, better known to the world as Eidos, for £44.5 million (roughly $87 million). The new deal will give SCi access to Warner's long list of IPs; the list includes Looney Tunes and Batman.

Apart from Batman and possible improved leverage with DC Comics (another Time Warner subsidiary), SCi may want to be careful about overusing the licenses (Harry Potter was, oddly, not mentioned). Looney Tunes, while widely recognized, rarely translates into a quality gaming experience. If SCi can come up with some original content, Warner Bros. can use them for movies, not just a one way benefit.

JoystiqWarner Bros. buys 10% of SCi originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eidoseidos entertainmentEidosEntertainmentLara CroftLaraCroftSCi EntertainmentSciEntertainmentTime WarnerTimeWarnerTomb RaiderTombRaiderWarner Bros.WarnerBros.Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[China holds audition for its own Lara Croft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/china-holds-audition-for-its-own-lara-croft/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/china-holds-audition-for-its-own-lara-croft/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/china-holds-audition-for-its-own-lara-croft/#commentsFiled under: , ,

the next lara?With Tomb Raider: Legend on the verge of release in China, SINA, a big-time online Chinese media corporation, set out to find the nation's 'Lara Croft.' It appears that nine would-be adventurers were singled out for the awkwardly titled "Play Girl" contest.

The winners received a cash prize and will be featured in a "live action" photo bundled with the game.

JoystiqChina holds audition for its own Lara Croft originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChinaContestLara CroftLaraCroftTomb RaiderTombRaiderFri, 01 Dec 2006 02:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Lara Croft and Mario make Forbes rich list]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/22/lara-croft-and-mario-make-forbes-rich-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/22/lara-croft-and-mario-make-forbes-rich-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/22/lara-croft-and-mario-make-forbes-rich-list/#commentsFiled under: ,

After procuring the tax returns of the worlds fictional characters, Forbes published a list of the 15 richest. Apparently the U.S. economy is such a joke that even Forbes has given up trying to report it seriously. Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks doesn't love "tomorrow" like his adopted daughter, he's perfectly happy with today, having $36.2 billion in the coffers. Characters that have made video game appearances in the past such as Scrooge McDuck ($10.9 billion) and Bruce Wayne ($6.8 billion) are sitting pretty. At $1 billion a piece at #14 and #15 respectively are the Lady Lara Croft and Mario (last name withheld).

There is certainly some shock while reviewing the list and kudos to Forbes for digging up the dirt on the video game superstars. Did you know that Lara Croft is 37 years-old? Her birthday is February 14, 1968 according to Wikipedia. Ms. Croft will be turning 40 in just a few years, making her one of the eldest video game superstars. There is a real revelation on the list. According to Forbes, Mario is only 23 years-old. Not only is the man slumming it as plumber after making a fortune in "commodities" -- it's an open secret he sold mushrooms for his fortune -- but at the age of 23 he must also be a wünderkind, having been a doctor, sports referee and world class athlete.

[Art from KennyVelez.com]

JoystiqLara Croft and Mario make Forbes rich list originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Nov 2006 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forbeslara croftLaraCroftmariorichestWed, 22 Nov 2006 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Raid tombs with Lara on the PS3!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/28/raid-tombs-with-lara-on-the-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/28/raid-tombs-with-lara-on-the-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/28/raid-tombs-with-lara-on-the-ps3/#commentsFiled under:

Ever since the release of Tomb Raider Legends, Lara Croft has redeemed herself and kept the franchise alive. Since her last iteration was so well-received (selling nearly 3 million copies in a year), Eidos has decided to bring the voluptuous lady to the Playstation 3. Said Chief Executive Jane Cavanagh, "Our 2008 products will include new versions of Tomb Raider (including a PS3 version) and many of our other key franchises. We also plan new franchises, including completely new products from both Crystal Dynamics (developers of Tomb Raider) and Io Interactive (developers of Hitman and Kane & Lynch)." This begs the question, should Nariko (of Heavenly Sword) and Lara get into a Super Smash Sisters: Brawl contest, who do you think would win?

JoystiqRaid tombs with Lara on the PS3! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Crystal DynamicsCrystalDynamicsEidosLara CroftLaraCroftPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyTomb RaiderTombRaiderThu, 28 Sep 2006 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Lara Legend screens for Nintendo platforms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/23/new-lara-legend-screens-for-nintendo-platforms/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/23/new-lara-legend-screens-for-nintendo-platforms/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/23/new-lara-legend-screens-for-nintendo-platforms/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

New Lara Legend screens for Nintendo platformsLara Croft's long-awaited return to Nintendo hardware is on target for November when Tomb Raider Legend ships for the GameCube, GameBoy Advance, and DS. Pro-G has posted new screens for each platform.

The GBA and DS versions will present a side-scrolling derivative of the Legend adventure, but the DS includes a touch screen menu that allows you to switch Lara's weapons and various items around (no touching Lara, please).

Read Joystiq's review on the Xbox 360 version of Legend, and check out what other industry critics had to say about the PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox versions of the game.

See also:

JoystiqNew Lara Legend screens for Nintendo platforms originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Aug 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crystal dynamicsDSeidosgameboy advancegamecubegbalara croftnintendo dstomb raider legendWed, 23 Aug 2006 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fuzzy logic: Lara Croft > Mario?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/16/fuzzy-logic-lara-croft-mario/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/16/fuzzy-logic-lara-croft-mario/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/16/fuzzy-logic-lara-croft-mario/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

According to Eidos' SCI's Ian Livingstone, Tomb Raider vixen Lara Croft is "the most famous character in gaming." Interviewer Paul Loughrey of GamesIndustry.biz then questions whether or not he means most famous ... other than Mario. Livingstone adamantly asserts that Mrs. Croft is indeed more popular than Nintendo's gaming icon.

"Well, Mario is still very much within the games niche, whereas Lara has gone beyond that thanks to two blockbuster films, for example. She's graced the covers of thousands of not just games journals, but lifestyle journals as well."

We'll admit, much to our chagrin, that Super Mario Bros. film was not the glorious re-imagining of Nintendo's flagship series, nor was it a box office smash (the total domestic gross was $20.9 million, which would be approximately $32.3 million today when adjusted for ticket price inflation). But Mario, we'd argue, is still more of a household name.

While there is no quantitative backing to either assertions, we'd like to point out that Livingstone's support is rather inefficient. In 1966, John Lennon exclaimed that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus." And while we suspect those zany Brits did grace more magazine covers than the founder of Christianity, it's still a stretch to elevate a band over a world religion.

And though the Mario film sunk, his power was seen elsewhere in pop culture. Not to mention his games tend to do better, both financially and critically.

Continue reading Fuzzy logic: Lara Croft > Mario?

JoystiqFuzzy logic: Lara Croft > Mario? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Aug 2006 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSlara croftLaraCroftmario brosMarioBrossuper marioSuperMariotomb raiderTombRaiderWiiWed, 16 Aug 2006 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Screenshot roundup: Tomb Raider: Legend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/screenshot-roundup-tomb-raider-legend/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/screenshot-roundup-tomb-raider-legend/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/screenshot-roundup-tomb-raider-legend/#commentsFiled under: ,

These Tomb Raider: Legend screenshots certainly needed to be rounded up ... and immediately executed. They're not particularly impressive and the one on the right is notable for not featuring a tomb at all. Still, it's early goings for Lara's return-to-roots portable adventure, and if it's even half as good as the console outings, we'll be satisfied. We'd rather it be just as good, however, controlling well and featuring plenty of evil traps looking to mangle our beloved Lara's limbs. There's every possibility of that happening, but confidence isn't particularly prevalent when it looks like the touch screen seems to have been relegated to yet another glorified inventory menu.

[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqScreenshot roundup: Tomb Raider: Legend originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Jul 2006 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ExplorationLara CroftLaraCroftPlatformerTomb RaiderTomb Raider LegendTombRaiderTombRaiderLegendMon, 10 Jul 2006 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomb Raider remake for PSP canceled [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/tomb-raider-remake-for-psp-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/tomb-raider-remake-for-psp-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/tomb-raider-remake-for-psp-canceled/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

PSP original Tomb Raider canceledAccording to an announcement on Core Design's web site, the PSP update of Lara Croft's first adventure has been scrapped. The official word:

"The video of Tomb Raider: 10th Anniversary Edition that appeared on certain sites was an unauthorised release of an internal presentation of a game that was being developed by Core Design until very recently. It was running on PSP and used a Core-developed engine. However, following a recent review this project has been officially cancelled by SCi."

Core's staff and assets were recently acquired by Rebellion Developments (AvP, Rogue Trooper), although SCi still maintains the Core brand name.

Update: Eurogamer is now reporting that the remake isn't canceled. Apparently, SCi has just issued a new statement saying the project is back on. PSP owners now have Lara's original adventure, as well as this month's Legend to look forward to.

JoystiqTomb Raider remake for PSP canceled [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jun 2006 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>core designeidoslara croftpspsci entertainment groupsony psptomb raiderFri, 16 Jun 2006 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Review: Tomb Raider: Legend (Xbox 360)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/27/joystiq-review-tomb-raider-legend-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/27/joystiq-review-tomb-raider-legend-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/27/joystiq-review-tomb-raider-legend-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There are moments in our gaming pasts that stand out with clarity from the mass of bygone levels, saves, high scores and kill counts. One of mine is a first date of epic proportions, one which launched a thousand clones and broke a million hearts. It was my first date with Lara.

Lady Croft and I have a lot in common. The novelty of playing as a girl who looks great and sounds normal grabbed me back in 1996 and hasn't let me go since.

A decade later, in Tomb Raider: Legend, Lara still looks the part; she hasn't put on a pound, though her poly count's up. As I put the disc in, her iconic face stares at me. This revamped Lara looks more human, more real, less like a creature from some stylised midnight fantasy. Her face is soft, her lips slightly curled in a welcoming smile -- her eyes measure me up. It's been a while.

Continue reading Joystiq Review: Tomb Raider: Legend (Xbox 360)

JoystiqJoystiq Review: Tomb Raider: Legend (Xbox 360) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Apr 2006 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-AdventureCrystal-DynamicsDSEidosEidos-Interactivelara croftLaraCroftMicrosoftNintendoPCPlatformerPS2reviewtomb raidertomb raider legendTomb-RaiderTomb-Raider-LegendXboxXbox-360Thu, 27 Apr 2006 08:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Lara's lovely ladies revisited]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/26/laras-lovely-ladies-revisited/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/26/laras-lovely-ladies-revisited/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/26/laras-lovely-ladies-revisited/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Lara Croft models
I was rummaging through the endless piles of gaming memorabilia that clutter my living space the other day, when I happened upon an old advertisement featuring the lovely Lara Weller, a.k.a. "Lara Croft." Weller donned the famous Tomb Raider duds from 1999-2000, during the promotion of Last Revelation, and is probably the closest physical approximation to gaming's most successful heroine of all time. She shares not only the same first name with her agile avatar, but also certain physical attributes and a passion for world travel.

Five other models have portrayed Lara Croft for Eidos (six, if you count Angelina). Karima Adebibe is the latest, and Jill de Jong gets props for her depiction of the Angel of Darkness. Visit Tomb Raider Chronicles and let us know your favorite.

JoystiqLara's lovely ladies revisited originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Apr 2006 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eidosGameCubejill de jongKarima Adebibelara croftlara wellerlucy clarksonnell mcandrewPCPS2rhona mitratomb raiderXboxXbox-360Wed, 26 Apr 2006 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[UK sales charts, April 16-22: Tomb Raider still on top]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/24/uk-sales-charts-april-16-22-tomb-raider-still-on-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/24/uk-sales-charts-april-16-22-tomb-raider-still-on-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/24/uk-sales-charts-april-16-22-tomb-raider-still-on-top/#commentsFiled under:

The sales figures are in, with last week's UK sales looking similar to the one before. Tomb Raider Legend is still number one, and Ice Age 2 is enjoying popularity both at the box office and in the games charts, though with 28,000 fewer sales. King Kong has dropped out of the top ten, with The Sims 2: Family Fun Pack jumping in to replace it, and the continued dominance of Crazy Frog Racer (29) over Guitar Hero (36) is depressing us.

The ten bestselling games in the UK for the week ending April 22:

1. Tomb Raider Legend
2. Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
3. Animal Crossing: Wild World
4. Fifa Street 2
5. The Godfather
6. The Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff
7. Football Manager 2006
8. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
9. Buzz! The Big Quiz
10. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

JoystiqUK sales charts, April 16-22: Tomb Raider still on top originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Apr 2006 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chartslara croftLaraCrofttomb raiderTombRaiderukuk chartsUkChartsMon, 24 Apr 2006 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Lara Croft used to be a guy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/18/lara-croft-used-to-be-a-guy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/18/lara-croft-used-to-be-a-guy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/18/lara-croft-used-to-be-a-guy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In an interesting Guardian GamesBlog interview with Toby Gard, the artist who designed the look of Lara Croft, there's one point in particular that sticks out. In response to the question "How many designs did you scrap before Lara?" he answered that his "initial design was a guy in some tombs." Although artists often set out several different designs before they choose which one to go for, this decision was probably the most important career decision Toby ever made. Can you imagine a world without Lara, the most succesful video game heroine of all time?

For all you cynical types -- the decision to "sex up" Lara wasn't made by Toby. In fact, he left Core over concerns that Lara's character was being reduced to cater to the lowest common denominator: although she was designed to look good, it was never supposed to be "about her boobs getting bigger."

JoystiqLara Croft used to be a guy originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Apr 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Lara CroftLaraCroftToby GardTobyGardTomb RaiderTombRaiderTue, 18 Apr 2006 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview - Tomb Raider: Legend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/metareview-tomb-raider-legend/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/metareview-tomb-raider-legend/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/metareview-tomb-raider-legend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Tomb Raider Legend metareviewSince Tomb Raider II, Lara Croft's adventures have been on a steady decline, almost to the point where reruns of Relic Hunter were a better use of time. The last entry was so weak, many thought Lara had raided her last tomb. This actually turned out to be the case at long-time developer Core Design.

Enter Crystal Dynamics. Now it's time to forget about Angel of Darkness, the umpteenth Lara Croft model, the Guinness Book induction, and all the hype that has surrounded the rebirth of one of gaming's most famous franchises. Tomb Raider Legend is finally here, Lara is as irresistible as ever, and the game just might be worth the $40-60 you're about to shell out for it.
  • IGN (82/100) on all versions: "Crystal D's fresh approach, erudite design and execution, and its focus on good controls, smart puzzles, and competent combat, do the trick. They've resurrected an icon and a legacy from its tumultuous past by making the best and most definitive Tomb Raider yet."
     
  • TeamXbox (80/100) on the Xbox 360 version: "Lara looks mighty fine. Even on a non-HD television, the increased clarity of the bump mapping and lighting effects add to the entire Tomb Raider feel."
     
  • 1UP (80/100) on all console versions: "Where Legend truly excels is in its sense of pacing. Gun battles are used as a sort of punctuation, bookends to the exploration and puzzle-solving at the core of the game. Legend's designers have an excellent sense of how a game should flow, and the result is an adventure that never becomes dull and rarely feels forced."

  • GameSpot (78/100) on all console versions: "Legend looks great on each of the consoles, with convincingly dark and decrepit environments and plenty of detail and lighting effects. The controls are a lot more fluid and responsive than they have been in previous Tomb Raider games, which makes Lara movements feel much more natural than before."
[via Metacritic]

JoystiqMetareview - Tomb Raider: Legend originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Apr 2006 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crystal dynamicseidoslara croftPCPS2tomb raiderXboxXbox-360Wed, 12 Apr 2006 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Blingbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/blingbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/blingbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/12/blingbox-360/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bling Bling

Apparently the folks from Xbox's German division had some spare time on their hands - and some spare crystals! The gang decorated an Xbox 360 with thousands* of tiny crystals, paying a special homage to Tomb Raider's Lara Croft in the process. The unit is now valued at $11,000. Did we mention they're gonna give the thing away?

*Gamerscore Blog cites two very different crystal counts: 43,000 and 3,000.

JoystiqBlingbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Apr 2006 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blingcrystalGamerscoreLara CroftLaraCroftTomb RaiderTombRaiderXbox-360Wed, 12 Apr 2006 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[UK sales charts, April 3-8: Lara on top]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/11/uk-sales-charts-april-3-8-lara-on-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/11/uk-sales-charts-april-3-8-lara-on-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/11/uk-sales-charts-april-3-8-lara-on-top/#commentsFiled under:

Tomb Raider: Legend marks its UK release by soaring straight to the top of the charts; the other much-touted arrival on European shores, Guitar Hero, has a slightly less impressive debut at 28, just one place ahead of Crazy Frog Racer. The video game adaptation of Narnia is also a new member of the top ten, going straight in at number nine.

The ten bestselling games in the UK for the week ending April 8:

1. Tomb Raider: Legend
2. The Godfather
3. Fifa Street 2
4. Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
5. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
6. Animal Crossing: Wild World
7. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
8. Buzz! The Big Quiz
9. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
10. Championship Manager 2006

JoystiqUK sales charts, April 3-8: Lara on top originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Apr 2006 06:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all formatsAllFormatschart-trackchartsgames chartsGamesChartslara croftLaraCroftmcvsales chartsSalesChartstomb raiderTombRaideruk chartsUkChartsTue, 11 Apr 2006 06:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Lara Croft lands in Guinness Book of World Records]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/07/lara-croft-lands-in-guinness-book-of-world-records/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/07/lara-croft-lands-in-guinness-book-of-world-records/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/07/lara-croft-lands-in-guinness-book-of-world-records/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Tomb Raider Guinness Book
A decade after Lara Croft took the video game industry by storm, she will be immortalized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful video game heroine of all time (sorry, Princess Peach). Eidos' well-endowed, gun-toting femme fatale has come under fire over the years from anti-violence groups, women's rights organizations, and even animal activists. However, the Tomb Raider franchise has still managed to sell 28 million games, and has spawned a lucrative licensing industry valued at over $1 billion. Lara gets ready to take center stage again next week with the multi-platform release of Tomb Raider: Legend. Stay tuned for reviews.

JoystiqLara Croft lands in Guinness Book of World Records originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Apr 2006 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Your friendly neighborhood tomb raider, Lara Croft, has decided to stop by the Xbox Live Marketplace and let everyone get a look at her latest adventure ... but just a peek. The demo for Tomb Raider: Legend is live now, weighing in around 640Mb.

First impression: yup, it's Tomb Raider.

[Thanks, [sinz] and Selucresh]

JoystiqTomb Raider demo on XBLM; spend some quality time with Lara originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Apr 2006 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tomb Raider: Legend screenshot for the PS2
WorthPlaying has been kind enough to post 43 new screenshots from Tomb Raider: Legend, mostly centered on Lara Croft cavorting about in a slinky black dress for an undoubtedly exciting evening shindig. And yes, we're as relieved as you are that she chose to ditch the pumps before leaping into action (to pump some lead into some fellow guests).

Continue reading Lara models eveningwear in 43 new screenshots

JoystiqLara models eveningwear in 43 new screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Mar 2006 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-AdventureCrystal-DynamicsDSEidosEidos-InteractiveLara CroftLaraCroftMicrosoftNintendoPCPlatformerPS2PSPTomb-RaiderTomb-Raider-LegendXboxXbox-360Fri, 10 Mar 2006 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Eidos' comeback carried on Lara's shoulders]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/01/eidos-comeback-carried-on-laras-shoulders/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/01/eidos-comeback-carried-on-laras-shoulders/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/01/eidos-comeback-carried-on-laras-shoulders/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lara Croft seems to be on the up; despite the declining quality and popularity of Tomb Raider titles, suddenly everyone's going mad for Tomb Raider: Legend. It looks to be the title that will make or break Eidos, and with hype-inducing tidbits released one at a time, so far it's looking good.

Also, as Next Generation's interview with Eidos' Bob Lindsey reveals, the delay in releasing Legend may have a silver lining, as it ensures a captive audience during the low spring season. We'll see come April if their high hopes come true.

JoystiqEidos' comeback carried on Lara's shoulders originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Mar 2006 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-AdventurebusinesscommentaryCrystal-DynamicsDSeidosEidos-Interactivelara croftLaraCroftMicrosoftnext generationNextGenerationNintendoPlatformertomb raiderTomb-RaiderTomb-Raider-LegendTombRaiderXboxXbox-360Wed, 01 Mar 2006 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy birthday, Lara!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/14/happy-birthday-lara/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/14/happy-birthday-lara/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/14/happy-birthday-lara/#commentsFiled under: ,


On this day, 38 years ago, a child was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and a loaded glock in her hand. This would normally make for an interesting opening to what could be an autobiographical opus of human achievement, but instead it's little more than chintzy marketing-speak for an assortment of polygons and normal-mapped hoochie shorts. But, hey, we love Lara anyway. So here's to you, Lara; here's hoping that Tomb Raider Legend for the PSP doesn't stink.

JoystiqHappy birthday, Lara! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Feb 2006 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CoreEidosLara CroftTomb RaiderTue, 14 Feb 2006 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Lara Croft makes Forbes' Fictional 15 richest list]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/26/lara-croft-makes-forbes-fictional-15-richest-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/26/lara-croft-makes-forbes-fictional-15-richest-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/26/lara-croft-makes-forbes-fictional-15-richest-list/#commentsFiled under: ,

Forbes Magazine has put together a new feature on the 15 richest fictional characters. Lara Croft ranks 13th with fictional net assets of $1 billion. What? Those gravity-defying assets aren't real? And she's 37? What the heck is going on here?

Those are not the only shockers unveiled. Forbes writer David Ewalt notes, "Experienced windfall this year by licensing name to endorse variety of products, from handguns to hot pants. Rumored to have fought, killed Bigfoot."

Don't let Chuck Norris find out you're claiming to have killed Bigfoot, toots. Just some friendly advice.

JoystiqLara Croft makes Forbes' Fictional 15 richest list originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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