The publisher’s suggestions have come forward as the recent release of Tomb Raider: Underworld missed sales expectations by some £20 million, while developer Crystal Dynamics has been subjected to layoffs to focus the team's output to the core IP.
It is suspected that Lara’s popularity – as a character – is fading particularly in the US. And, as the commercial success of all Tomb Raider games have always had a degree of dependence on Lara’s image, this may prompt a fresh face for the heroine in her next title.
“We need to look at everything, as we develop the next game. Look at how Batman changed succesfully, from the rather sad character of the Michael Keaton era to the noir style of The Dark Knight,” said Eidos CFO Robert Brent, speaking to British broadsheet The Times.
The Tomb Raider franchise has been through a popularity rollercoaster in its 12 years, hitting the heights of Lara’s image on the cover of the (now defunct) lifestyle magazine and “fashion bible” The Face, while the heroine’s sixth adventure, The Angel of Darkness, was critically panned and failed to make an impact at the retailers.
The franchise then enjoyed a revival as its development moved from Core Design to Californian outfit Crystal Dynamics, which released Tomb Raider: Legend in 2006 to critical praise and commercial success.
Now, as Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider: Underworld missed its sales targets – despite positive reviews – Eidos is pondering that Lara’s image needs to cater to different markets.
Lara enthusiasts will no doubt know that the full-figured archaeologist had previously gone under the knife to more directly appeal to her current audience.