Portfolious

CRYSTAL DYNAMICS ANNOUNCES NEW LARA CROFT ADVENTURE
LARA CROFT AND THE GUARDIAN OF LIGHT

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – March 4th  2010 – Crystal Dynamics®, a part of Square Enix Europe, today announced Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light™, a new game developed by Crystal Dynamics, which will be released via digital download in 2010.

“This is a really exciting project for Crystal Dynamics, we have created something completely new and very different to what people might be expecting,” said Darrell Gallagher, General Manager of Crystal Dynamics. “Lara Croft is such an iconic character in videogames, with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light we have created what we believe is a truly original digital experience.”

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be shown strictly “behind closed doors” at this year’s Game Developers Conference beginning on March 9th.

Crystal Dynamics is an award-winning studio located in San Francisco. Founded in 1992, the studio has created and developed key game franchises such as: Legacy of Kain®, Pandemonium®, Gex® and most recently the Tomb Raider® series.

For more information visit www.laracroftandtheguardianoflight.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook – @Crystaldynamics – Facebook.com/LaraCroft

New Concept Art Can Be found Via our Gallery on the Home Page Under Guardian of the Light.

Derby inner ring road to be named Lara Croft Way

A new £36.2m Derby road is to be named after computer game and movie character Lara Croft following a public vote.

The star of the Tomb Raider franchise was originally devised by a computer game manufacturer based in the city.

More than 27,000 people took part in the vote to name the Osmaston Road to Burton Road stretch of the new route, with 89% opting for the winner.

A separate stretch of road will be called Mercian Way as a tribute to local soldiers.

Created in Derby

Other options for the road’s name were legendary Derby County footballer Steve Bloomer, the astronomer John Flamsteed and the engineer George Sorocold.

Other roads in the city have been named after notable people connected with the county. There is a Sir Frank Whittle Way, Brian Clough Way, Nightingale Road (after Florence) and a Joseph Wright Terrace, named after the artist.

Councillor Lucy Care, cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: “The vote really captured the imagination of people from across the world and, despite my lack of gaming knowledge, I accept that a majority of 89% for Lara Croft is too overwhelming to ignore.

“She was created in Derby and deserves to stand alongside some of the more traditional icons of the city.

“The vote for Mercian Way is also testimony to the passionate local support shown for the servicemen and women serving right now so I’m pleased that there will be a lasting legacy to honour them in what will be the biggest change to Derby’s inner road network in 30 years.”

The Tomb Raider games were created by Core Design, which was based in Derby, and featured the treasure-hunting British archaeologist Lara Croft.

The games became best-sellers and were later made into movies featuring Angelina Jolie as Lara.

Source: BBC News

Tomb Raider is record breaker

Pixel princess Lara Croft has clocked up six world records.

The all-action archaeologist and star of the Tomb Raider series beat her rivals Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog for the highest number of entries in the Guinness World Records 2010 Gamer’s Edition, including most successful video game heroine.

Croft also scooped awards for the most recognisable female in a video game; most detailed game character; most real-life stand-ins; highest grossing game spin-off and most successful live-action transfer.

Actress Angelina Jolie is best-known as the face of the English heroine, but Croft has also been officially portrayed by five other models including Nell McAndrew, Rhona Mitra and currently by UK gymnast Alison Carroll – giving her the record for the most real-life stand-ins.

Gung-ho Croft – famous for her skin-tight khaki shorts, low-cut vest top and ponytail – became an unlikely sex symbol when she first appeared on the PlayStation in 1996.

With 32,816 rendered polygons forming her figure in Tomb Raider: Underworld, she is the most detailed video game character ever created.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider already ranks as the highest-grossing video-game movie but together with its sequel, The Cradle of Life, the franchise has grossed in excess of £216 million, making it the most successful live-action transfer of all time.

Guinness World Records’ gaming editor Gaz Deaves said: “Lara Croft epitomises all that’s great about video gaming and we’re delighted to acknowledge her success by awarding her with six new official record entries including making her the most-famous and most-successful female video game character in the world.”

Source : The Press Association

January 31st 2010 is the last day of voting for a variety of names for 2 new stretches of road in Derby. 2 names will be chosen from the highest votes and so far Lara Croft is well in the lead fo having one of the two named Lara Croft Way. Core Design developed the Tomb Raider series in Derby U.K. from Tomb Raider One until the 6th game of the series Angel of Darkness. A little known fact is Lara Croft Online was going to be Lara Croft Way before a series of optional domain names available mentioned Lara Croft Online was also available. Great to see the name being used after all. Vote for Lara Croft Way on their website in the bottom right of the web page  here.

Former Lara Croft Model Karima Adebibe

A SHORT-LIST of eight names has been drawn up for two new stretches of Derby’s inner ring road.

The city council invited members of the public to submit suggestions for names in July and received more than 100 ideas.

A short-list has now been created from those by council officers and people have from now until January 31 to vote.

The list is: John Flamsteed Way, Griffon Way, Merlin Way, Lara Croft Way, Sorocold Way, Steve Bloomer Way, Eagle Way and Mercian Way.

Two names are sought for stretches of the new road, which are from Osmaston Road to Burton Road and Burton Road to Stafford Street. The new inner ring road is being built as part of the £36.2m Connecting Derby project.

Lucy Care, the council’s cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: “Many thanks to people across Derby and beyond for the many suggestions we have received for possible names for the new ring road. It’s sad that there are only two roads to name, as there were many ideas showing serious research and creativity.”

People can vote on the homepage of the council’s website, www.derby.gov.uk, or submit their preferences in writing to Sam Whitworth, Derby City Council, Roman House, Friargate, Derby DE1 1XB.

Source Info Derbyshire  U.K News

Seek and you shall find! HQ Alison Carroll photo shoot pictures found!

Just go to the homepage and click on TR Models via the gallery for 8 HQ pictures

Toby Gard departs from Crystal Dynamics

Tomb Raider creator exits after nine months on unannounced project

Toby Gard, the creator of the Tomb Raider series, has unexpectedly departed from Crystal Dynamics.

The British-born developer, who had gained a strong reputation from his work on the early editions of Tomb Raider, recently announced he was “leading a design group for an unannounced project” at Californian studio Crystal Dynamics.

However, according to his latest LinkedIn profile, Gard has departed from that role after taking it on in January.

“Obviously it’s confidential what goes on at Crystal Dynamics,” Gard told Develop today, “but the situation is that I’m no longer working with them, and I’ve started up my own consultancy business.”

Gard did not confirm the situation surrounding his departure. When Crystal Dynamics developed Tomb Raider Legend, Gard was sworn in as a consultant. As the studio moved on to develop Tomb Raider Anniversary – a retrospective on Gard’s previous work – Gard shifted his role to Lead Designer.

With Crystal Dynamics’ third main Tomb Raider title, suffixed Underworld, Gard moved to serve as Cinematic Director.

Crystal Dynamics could not be contacted at the time of going to press.

Source: Develop

Toby Gard sites Linkedin Personal

Most Official Real-Life Stand-Ins for a Video Game

Guinness World Records 2010 edition game section has  the Tomb Raider series listed for a record for having the most real-life video game stand-ins  for Lara Croft that has been officially portrayed by ten different models since 1996, including actress Rhona Mitra and British TV presenter Nell McAndrew. The current real-life Lara Croft is UK gymnast/model Allison Carroll.

Tomb Raider™: The Greatest Raids Now available in the U.K.   £19.99

Tomb Raider Greatest Raids Box Cover

Manufacturer’s Description

DISCOVER THE GAMES THAT CREATED A LEGEND!

Before the movies, the comic books, the animated TV series and the rollercoasters, there were the games that started it all.

Tomb Raider took the world by storm when first launched and Lara Croft became an overnight sensation. Discover why in this collection of Lara’s first four adventures. From the Great Wall of China to the rooftops of London, from the icy wastes of the Antarctic to the sweltering Indian jungle, the action never lets up for a moment. Join Lara on the journey of a lifetime, if you can keep up with her!

Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider II

Tomb Raider III

Tomb Raider IV – The Last Revelation

* Platform:   Windows XP / Vista
* PEGI Rating: Ages 12 and Over
* Media: DVD-ROM

Links to buy! Amazon U.K. Game U.K.

Tomb Raider Underworld Coming Soon To Nokia N-Gage

Description

As fearless adventurer, Lara Croft embarks on a perilous journey around the world to retrieve the mighty Thor’s Hammer.

More Info here.

Four Player Coop snagged a few rumored concept artwork from a reliable mole and suggests a reboot origin story in the works of a younger Lara Croft. Where are the guns? Maybe she has to start out with a bow and arrow and work her up to guns? Who knows! They also suggest a new combat and open world system. A brief was also included with an outline story. The Plot – When a sudden storm destroys her research vessel, a young and inexperienced Lara Croft finds herself stranded on a mysterious and remote island hiden of the shores of Japan. Despite several signs of various inhabitants the island is oddly deserted, and an uneasy feeling settles in as strange sounds emerge from the shadows. With only her determination, inner strenght, and resourcefulness to help her, Lara must overcome the challenges of a harsh and unforgiving journey that will take her across a vast island wilderness and deep into the claustrophobic and menacing underground tombs from the island’s past. As she struggles to prevail through brutal combat encounters and treacherous exploration, Lara will be pushed to her limits and forced to adapt to her situation in order to survive and escape from the lethal predators that stalk her every move.

Hunt or be hunted – Evade outsmart, track and kill the mysterious enemies that hunt you as prey.

Survival Action – Brutally attack and defend as you fight to survive through visceral one on one melee combat.

Strategic Weapons – Gain an advantage in combat by finding an array of different melee and ranged weapons including a variety of guns and the hunters ultimate weapon, the bow.

Creative Survival – React and adapt to the island by using only that wich you can salvage from the environment like climbing axes, rope, and machetes that can be used to unlock new traversal and combat gameplay options.

Free Movement – Scrale up a vertical cliff wall, sprint and leap across a huge chasm, steer mid air to land a misderected jump there is no one right way to traverse, survive, and explore the harsh enviroment of the island.

One Cohesive World – The diverse multi region island is an open playground alive with creatures, weather and natural events.

Origin Story – This new Tomb Raider concept reboots the franchise by exploring the origins of Lara Croft’s transformation into a hardened adventurer as unravel the story behind the island’s mysterious past.

…

• Origin story. “This new Tomb Raider concept reboots the franchise by exploring the origins of Lara Croft’s transformation into a hardened adventurer as you unravel the story behind the island’s mysterious past.” So far the though it appears this is in fact the real thing… Interesting huh .