Exclusive Interview with Rachel(Athora)
Rachel, also known as Athora, is a lovely and dedicated Lara Croft cosplayer. In her interview she talks about conventions, cosplaying tips, and photoshoots. Photography by Darren Rowley Photography DRP
Crystal Dynamics Team Up With GeoCaching
Crystal Dynamics have joined with GeoCaching to give gamers a real life exploration adventure
Exclusive Interview with Meagan Marie (Community Manager for Tomb Raider)
The multi-talented Meagan talks to Guns and Grapple about working at Crystal, the community and promoting the upcoming TR game.
Exclusive Press Preview: Tomb Raider (2012)
Crystal Dynamics invited several Tomb Raider fans to Eidos HQs all around Europe to show an exclusive preview of the upcoming game.
Thursday, 24 December 2009
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Final Covers for "The Art of Tomb Raider"
yWe have uploaded one photo released but You can view all the images by CLICKING HERE to go to the Dreams and Visions press Official Blog.
"The Real Merlin and Arthur" YouTube
Going back to my previous post.
I found a preview and the episode on YouTube. Hopefully this time more people can see the documentary :)
I found a preview and the episode on YouTube. Hopefully this time more people can see the documentary :)
The Real Merlin and Arthur - Part 1 - CLICK HERE
The Real Merlin and Arthur - Part 2 - CLICK HERE
The Real Merlin and Arthur - Part 3 - CLICK HERE
YouTube Videos by BJsRealm
Thanks for uploading them!
"The Real Merlin and Arthur"
This post isn't about Tomb Raider but I wanted to put up a quick note on the site to say that if anyone wants to learn more about the Arthurian Myth which is the main focus in Tomb Raider Legend, there is a show on BBC iplayer called "The Real Merlin and Arthur". On previous posts I may of mentioned a BBC show called "Merlin", the documentary is half an hour long, during this time you are guided around Wales in search for truths about the myth but the actors that play Merlin (Colin Morgan) and Arthur (Bradley). At the moment I'm part way through watching it and both the documentary and the show is brilliant.
It is on BBC iplayer until 10pm on 26th December, and I don't believe you can view it outside of the UK, if there is a YouTube version I will try to find a link to it...even though illigeal copies are bad.
CLICK HERE to view it on BBC iplayer.
It is on BBC iplayer until 10pm on 26th December, and I don't believe you can view it outside of the UK, if there is a YouTube version I will try to find a link to it...even though illigeal copies are bad.
CLICK HERE to view it on BBC iplayer.
Keeley Hawes News - Appearences and Charity Events
To kick off the day's news, Keeley Hawes (the current voice of Lara Croft) has appeared in a number of television shows, events and helped support charity work over the last few days. I have
Keeley attended the "Sun's Military Awards" on the 15th December 2009 with Ashes to Ashes co-star; Philip Glenister. The awards celebrates the achievements of the cross-section of the Armed Forces and those who support them on operations at home and abroad. On December 21 the awards was televised on ITV as A Night of Heroes, you can view it on ITV iplayer. On the night Keeley said "The stories are so much more dramatic than anything in films or on television."
CLICK HERE for the Sun's article on the event.
CLICK HERE for the Daily Mail's article on the event.
Some of the "Ashes to Ashes" cast and crew has posted new photos of Keeley on their twitter:
1st Photo
2nd Photo
If anyone has seen the recent "Live at the Apollo" you may have seen her in the audience, where the presenter announced she was the voice of Lara Croft (she will never be able to leave that role behind her now. It's kind of like Patrick Stewart, he's always going to be Captain Picard to me.) You can view the episode at BBC iPlayer CLICK HERE. Although I am not sure if people outside of the UK can view it which is ecspecially annoying since a recent program (Games Britannia) featured a section about Tomb Raider and it's impact in the gaming industry, hopefully it will appear on YouTube at some point *fingers crossed*. I'll put up a link if it is.
Keeley attended CHASE Children's Hospice; Winter Wonderland on the 20tj December, she attended with her husband and three children. The charity worked with Coca-Cola and the Merlin Group, which runs Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and The London Eye, to transform Christopher’s Hospice into a winter wonderland.Celebrity supporters Keeley Hawes, Matthew MacFadyen, Max Clifford and Rachel Hurd-Wood joined more than 50 children with life-limiting illnesses and their families for the event.
Keeley attended the "Sun's Military Awards" on the 15th December 2009 with Ashes to Ashes co-star; Philip Glenister. The awards celebrates the achievements of the cross-section of the Armed Forces and those who support them on operations at home and abroad. On December 21 the awards was televised on ITV as A Night of Heroes, you can view it on ITV iplayer. On the night Keeley said "The stories are so much more dramatic than anything in films or on television."
CLICK HERE for the Sun's article on the event.
CLICK HERE for the Daily Mail's article on the event.
Some of the "Ashes to Ashes" cast and crew has posted new photos of Keeley on their twitter:
1st Photo
2nd Photo
If anyone has seen the recent "Live at the Apollo" you may have seen her in the audience, where the presenter announced she was the voice of Lara Croft (she will never be able to leave that role behind her now. It's kind of like Patrick Stewart, he's always going to be Captain Picard to me.) You can view the episode at BBC iPlayer CLICK HERE. Although I am not sure if people outside of the UK can view it which is ecspecially annoying since a recent program (Games Britannia) featured a section about Tomb Raider and it's impact in the gaming industry, hopefully it will appear on YouTube at some point *fingers crossed*. I'll put up a link if it is.
Keeley attended CHASE Children's Hospice; Winter Wonderland on the 20tj December, she attended with her husband and three children. The charity worked with Coca-Cola and the Merlin Group, which runs Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and The London Eye, to transform Christopher’s Hospice into a winter wonderland.Celebrity supporters Keeley Hawes, Matthew MacFadyen, Max Clifford and Rachel Hurd-Wood joined more than 50 children with life-limiting illnesses and their families for the event.
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Games Britannia - Episode 3/3 - Joystick Generation
BBC's Games Britannia, episode three featured Tomb Raider and it's impact on the gaming industry. The episode also features an interview with Ian Livingston. You can view it on iplayer 21 minutes into the show, CLICK HERE. It will be avalible for another 6 days (28th Decmber is the deadline)
Margaret Robinson, Charlie Brooker and Ian Livingston joins the show to talk about why Lara Croft and Tomb Raider is so iconic.
Notes during the programme:
During the 1990, there was more interest in video games, they became less of someone an indival would use by themself and more a family game. 1996 was the point the Gaming Industry evolved, games like Tomb Raider brought a human character to consoles and computers. The character wasn't just someone that moved on the screen, it became someone that you can relate to and want to protect (Unless you're annoyed or bored, then all you want to do is see Lara swandive through a window, because lets face it, we've all done it). The game enviroment drastically changed also. The Tomb Raider series brought lifelife structures, excotic locations. There was more relisim in the games.
One of the best random lines in the program was; "She shoots a lot of endangered animals in the face!"said by Charlie Brooker. She shoots any random person she comes accross through-out the game, steals random motorcycles, and destroys any stunning archeological find or temple, but WILL SOMEONE PLEASE THINK ABOUT THE TIGERS! (They might only be bounding towards Lara for a hug. They are rather a nice bunch of kitties once you get to know them.)
The BBC treds old ground with the "Is Lara a positive women icon or just a sex symbol" and the comparsion between Indianna Jones and Lara, but it only lasts for a breief moment before focusing back on the topic of the games' impact.
...And this was meant to be a formal article.
Margaret Robinson, Charlie Brooker and Ian Livingston joins the show to talk about why Lara Croft and Tomb Raider is so iconic.
Notes during the programme:
During the 1990, there was more interest in video games, they became less of someone an indival would use by themself and more a family game. 1996 was the point the Gaming Industry evolved, games like Tomb Raider brought a human character to consoles and computers. The character wasn't just someone that moved on the screen, it became someone that you can relate to and want to protect (Unless you're annoyed or bored, then all you want to do is see Lara swandive through a window, because lets face it, we've all done it). The game enviroment drastically changed also. The Tomb Raider series brought lifelife structures, excotic locations. There was more relisim in the games.
One of the best random lines in the program was; "She shoots a lot of endangered animals in the face!"said by Charlie Brooker. She shoots any random person she comes accross through-out the game, steals random motorcycles, and destroys any stunning archeological find or temple, but WILL SOMEONE PLEASE THINK ABOUT THE TIGERS! (They might only be bounding towards Lara for a hug. They are rather a nice bunch of kitties once you get to know them.)
The BBC treds old ground with the "Is Lara a positive women icon or just a sex symbol" and the comparsion between Indianna Jones and Lara, but it only lasts for a breief moment before focusing back on the topic of the games' impact.
...And this was meant to be a formal article.
Thursday, 17 December 2009
The Fifth Village of Tokakeriby Writing Competition Begins!
The Village of Tokakeriby Tomb Raider Competition is writing competition run by Ostercy who has over the years released a number of great Tomb Raider stories. Joined by Dr.Amazing (2nd Competition Winner), Harmoniad (4th Competition Winner), Jenni Miller and AKKON (Tomb Raider fanfiction authors) who will be judging the entries.
There are five pieces of Tomb Raider merchandise and the winner can choose one item from the list, which includes:
- Tomb Raider 1 (in it's original box)
- Tomb Raider Card Game
- Angel of Darkness iDVD Game
- Tomb Raider Album (with Rhona Mitra)
- The Official Tomb Raider Files
"It's best that writers stick to the official canon regarding Lara, which, for example, can be found at Wikipedia or Wiki Raider. There is no particular competition theme so you can write about whatever you like, and you can include any character from the Tomb Raider games, books, films or comics - you don't even have to include Lara in your story if you don't want to! However entries may lose marks if they stray too far from the Tomb Raider universe, whilst sex and swear words of a sexual nature are probably best avoided. We welcome stories not only from the more established TR writers but also from newbies. There is no age limit, but no allowance will be made for age when stories are being judged. The story can either be an original piece of work or a story published elsewhere, but please enter only one story per author."
Guns and Grapple is sponsering this event
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Character of the Day?
You may have read the "Character of the Day" posts which was released early December. They were a little teaser for a surprise on Christmas Eve.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Character of the Day - 9th December
Character of the Day - 9th December - Duncan
Only introduced in Tomb Raider 3 for a few seconds, Duncan was the smiling pilot who Lara shot before stealing the helicopter and stealing more gold from an underground tomb. Duncan was married and was expecting a child within the next two weeks. At that point in the game he also had just signed his retirement form before getting inside the helicopter, and had just finished listening to the lottery where he got all numbers correct and had just won one of the largest prize ever in lottery history.
Only introduced in Tomb Raider 3 for a few seconds, Duncan was the smiling pilot who Lara shot before stealing the helicopter and stealing more gold from an underground tomb. Duncan was married and was expecting a child within the next two weeks. At that point in the game he also had just signed his retirement form before getting inside the helicopter, and had just finished listening to the lottery where he got all numbers correct and had just won one of the largest prize ever in lottery history.
Tomb Raider Ultimate Edition (PC)
The "Tomb Raider Ultimate Edition" for the PC, features all the Tomb Raider games to date, as well as the two bonus levels for Tomb Raider 2 and 3.
Visit the site for more information. CLICK HERE
Game Included:
Tomb Raider I + Unfinished Business
Tomb Raider II + The Golden Mask
Tomb Raider III + The Lost Artefact
Tomb Raider IV The Last Revelation
Tomb Raider V Chronicles
Tomb Raider VI The Angel of Darkness
Tomb Raider VII Legend
Tomb Raider VIII Underworld
Tomb Raider Anniversary
Visit the site for more information. CLICK HERE
Game Included:
Tomb Raider I + Unfinished Business
Tomb Raider II + The Golden Mask
Tomb Raider III + The Lost Artefact
Tomb Raider IV The Last Revelation
Tomb Raider V Chronicles
Tomb Raider VI The Angel of Darkness
Tomb Raider VII Legend
Tomb Raider VIII Underworld
Tomb Raider Anniversary
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Character of the Day - 8th December
Character of the Day - 8th December - The Damned
The Damned was a group of people Lara had discovered in Tomb Raider 3. The group was the product of experiments proformed by Sophia Leigh who wanted to discover how to create immortality. The "failed experiements" were thrown into London sewers (umm, sounds a bit like Weevils...Ok, I'll stop with the Torchwood comparison)
They formed little camp sites in the unoccupied London train station; Aldwych. Armed with a baseball bat with a nail, and wearing a hood that covered their "faces", they'll attack anyone who approaches them. The Damned had the power of immortality, unaware to Sophia, and they named themselves "The Damned".
The Damned was a group of people Lara had discovered in Tomb Raider 3. The group was the product of experiments proformed by Sophia Leigh who wanted to discover how to create immortality. The "failed experiements" were thrown into London sewers (umm, sounds a bit like Weevils...Ok, I'll stop with the Torchwood comparison)
They formed little camp sites in the unoccupied London train station; Aldwych. Armed with a baseball bat with a nail, and wearing a hood that covered their "faces", they'll attack anyone who approaches them. The Damned had the power of immortality, unaware to Sophia, and they named themselves "The Damned".
Monday, 7 December 2009
Games Britannia
Lara Croft is featured on Games Britannia which is shown on BBC4 at 9pm GMT.
It explores the history of games.
This is the first part of three. This episode explores the history of the game industry in the Middle Ages and Victorian times.I presume later episodes will feature more sections of the games.
It explores the history of games.
This is the first part of three. This episode explores the history of the game industry in the Middle Ages and Victorian times.I presume later episodes will feature more sections of the games.
Character of the Day - 7th December
Amanda was introduced to the series in 2006 with the release of Tomb Raider Legend, became a favourite character for many cosplayers, fan fiction writers and fans worldwide.
Amanda had worked with previously worked with Lara at a dig site in Paraíso. Until a unkown entity in a recently discovered loacation began to murder the workers until only Amanda and Lara was left. They ran into the room the creature was unleashed from, Amanda pulled out a crystal which retracted the enitiy but caused the tomb to crumble and the room to fill with water as a safety mechanism. Amanda caught her foot on a rock and was presumed killed after several large rocks fan ontop of her.
She returned several years later to recover and connect the pieces of a sword to form Excalibur. She used Lara's interest in knowledge to get her to recover all of the pieces before beating her to the point where the artefact needed to be activated. (Bolivia, to put the sword into the stone)
The sword was destroyed along with the stone and portal, and Amanda turned her attension to Norse mythology for the answer. During Tomb Raider Underworld she kept Natla in a glass prision and frequently approached her to ask for her help.
In the end, Amanda had the choice to save Lara or leave her in a collasping underworld. She decided to save her.
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Character of the Day - 6th December
(Contains Tomb Raider Comic (Chasing Shangri-La) Spoilers)
Chase Carver existed in the Tomb Raider series only in the comics created by Top Cow Productions. He and Lara was once a couple who travelled the globe searching for lost artefacts. Lara admitted that she was young at the time and she met Chase when searching for hidden artefacts was just a hobby and not an obcession.
Chase and Lara went their seperate ways, the story of them was not revealed fully until Chasing Shangri-la (also called Lost Horizons or Issues 11-15). Lara and Chase escaped to Monoco to explore a sunken ship, the previous night before the dive they attended a casino. After several hours, Chase was still at the table when Lara retired to bed. In the morning, Lara awoke to find that Chase had been missing all night. She went on to the sunken ships by herself. Upon arrival she noticed a section which had not been previously searched by divers, she entered the area to find Chase’s calling card (A chess knight piece). She relised that he had stolen the artefacts and sold them to make a profit for himself. She later found Chase in a bar with another woman who didn’t know who Lara was.
Several years later, Lara and Chase work together again to find several artefacts and lost locations including the Medusa Mask, Shangri-La, the Merlin Stone, Eye of Shaherettin, and many more before Chase’s demise in Issue 5 (Chasing Shangri-La)
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Character of the Day - 5th December
Where would Lara be without her butler? Well probably still trying to find out how the microwave works probably. Lara has had her butler for most of the games and for both movies. Although the name of this man seems to change as often as the company copyright changes hands. For the classic Tomb Raider games he was known as Jeeves, for the movies he was called Hillary, and for the Crystal Dynamics games he was Winston Smith.
Hillary was Lara's butler in both Tomb Raider movies, played by Red Dwarf star; Chris Barrie. During the second movie the character recieved more screen time with stunts and location filming in Kenya.
"I enjoyed the Kendo stick fight in the second film and the gun toting in the first movie. They were the best scenes because I was doing some action and I'd trained up in both areas." - Chris Barrie
Quote from The Sun
Upcoming Tomb Raider may feature a multiplayer option.
Crystal Dynamics might be including a new multiplayer option in the upcoming Tomb Raider game. Crystal has posted a job advertisement to look for a new Lead Designer to work at the company for a special "AAA" project. The job requires the person to have at least 5 years experience with next generation software, and forming multiplayer knowledge.
If I were to have a guess, I believe that once again the multiplayer will be a XBOX360 feature, but nothing has been confirmed. The job advertisment did say that the job will focus on work for the game to be released on XBOX360 and PS3, and since XBOX360 does have the multiplayer "live" feature, it is possible that the multiplayer feature will be for that console. If this is the case I don't think it would be very fair to other console owners who had to miss out on "Lara's Shadow" and "Beneath the Ashes" due to an agreement with Microsoft.
If I were to have a guess, I believe that once again the multiplayer will be a XBOX360 feature, but nothing has been confirmed. The job advertisment did say that the job will focus on work for the game to be released on XBOX360 and PS3, and since XBOX360 does have the multiplayer "live" feature, it is possible that the multiplayer feature will be for that console. If this is the case I don't think it would be very fair to other console owners who had to miss out on "Lara's Shadow" and "Beneath the Ashes" due to an agreement with Microsoft.
CHARACTER OF THE DAY - (4th December)
CONTAINS TOMB RAIDER 1, TOMB RAIDER UNDERWORLD AND TOMB RAIDER LARA'S SHADOW SPOILERS
She was the first villain in any Tomb Raider game, as well as being one of the longest reoccurring enemies.
Since her first appearance on game consoles in 1996, Natla employs Lara to search for part of an artefact called the Scion in Peru. After locating the first piece it becomes clear to Lara that her new boss my hide several secrets about why she wanted the artefact, and how she came to know of it's whereabouts.
As the game progresses Natla's true identity as one of the former rulers of Atlantis and one of the holders of a section of the Scion is revealed. Her appearance in the first game changes too. She is able to shoot fireballs easily at the end of the game when Lara becomes determined to stop Natla from completing her evil acts. At the end of the game the tomb begins to crumble around Lara, and she runs out, leaving the Queen to be trapped and killed under the rubble. She reappeared again in 2007 in Tomb Raider; Anniversary, a game inspired by the classic.
Although Natla was not so easily killed and returned 13 years after the first game. Lara was sneaking on board of one of Amanda Evert's ships when she came across the Atlantean goddess trapped inside a prison. Despite her being powerless to escape she managed to persuade Lara to free her in order for Lara to traveled to Helhiem to find her mother
In a special expansion game for XBOX360 called Tomb Raider; Lara's Shadow, the player could play as Lara's doppelganger who follows Natla's orders. In the end the doppelganger betrays her master and watches as Natla dies...Or does she?
"I'm very pleased to see you again Lara" - Natla (Tomb Raider Underworld)
CHARACTER OF THE DAY - (3rd December)
CHARACTER OF THE DAY - 3rd December - Lara Croft (Next Generation)In 2003, Eidos handed over the Tomb Raider copyright to Crystal Dynamics who, with the help of the original Toby Gard, revived the series and released three games which topped gaming charts.
As well as the new company, Lara's biography had altered slightly to fit in with Tomb Raider; Legend.
Lara Croft is the daughter of Lord Richard Croft and Lady Amelia Croft. When Lara was nine years old, she and her mother was flying over the Himalayas when the portside wing of the aeroplane caught on fire. Despite the piolets' efforts to regain control of the aeroplane, it crashed onto a cliff where the piolets died. Lara and her mother survived and decided to take refuge inside a nearby temple. Lara was meant to be searching for wood to make a fire, when she stumbled across an artefact, a sword in the stone. After accidentally triggering the trap, Amelia pulled out the sword to protect her daughter.
Since Amalia's disappearence, Lara travelled across Nepal and back home. Her father was detirmined to find his wife, and devoted many years of his life to the study of mythological underworlds. In Legend, Lara admits that during this time, Richard had lost respect from a lot of his co-workers and many people began to hate him.
"I came in at pre-production when they had all the game setup and I was bought into redefine Lara's look and then the other characters and the story. I worked closely with the story team too, to help define who Lara actually is. It's a question of adding details to her personality and not just physically." - Toby Gard
Quote from Tiscali.com
Thursday, 3 December 2009
CHARACTER OF THE DAY - (2nd December)
Keeley Hawes was born on 10th February 1976 in London, England. Her Birth name was originally Claire Hawes; however she later changed it to Keeley.
Keeley Hawes grew up in Marleybone close to Sylvia Young Theatre School. She would here some of the student sign there and wanted to attend. She managed to enter with a free grant There she was taught elocution lessons, one of the reasons why she was perfect for the Lara Croft role and why she has her amazing voice.
She has been the voice of Lara Croft for over three years, she has been the voice of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider Legend, Tomb Raider Underworld, and Tomb Raider Anniversary. In 2007 she also narrated Gametap's Tomb Raider Documentary which featured the series from 1995 to 2007.
"Lara Croft is such a strong and powerful character, but she also has an edge to her, which was great to portray vocally. Lara is getting up to all sorts of trouble in Legend, I am sure the fans won't be disappointed!"- Keeley Hawes
Character of the Day (1st December)
CHARACTER OF THE DAY - 1st DECEMBER - ALISONCARROLL
Alison Carroll is the latest official model who travelled the globe promoting Tomb Raider Underworld. She travelled to places such as Poland, Germany, Paris, London, Dubai and many other places.
Alison Carroll is a twenty-three year old gymnast from Croydon who beaten hundreds of models for the role of Lady Lara Croft. She has appeared in several newspapers and on hundreds of websites. Ms. Carroll’s résumé is as impressive as the character she is portraying. The new Lara has over 12 years experience of being an elite gymnast, she was chosen to represent Great Britain. She has also preformed in front of Prince Charles at Westminster Abbey. Alison teaches at the Bromley Valley Gymnastics Club, and the Shirley Gymnastics Club, who bringing home first place trophies in local and national competitions. Alison Carroll has participated in the Edinburgh Festival, Inverness Festival, , Birmingham Ministrada, Cardiff Festival, Liverpool British Championships, London Festival and Portugal World Ministrada (representing Great Britain).
Lara Croft Makes It On Derby New Road Short List
Lara Croft is one of the names on the short list for two new roads in Derby. The highest two voted names on the Derby City Council website will become the new names. So far the highest amount of votes is 18250 (97%) for the road to be named "Lara Croft Way". The Second highest, with 1% is "Merlin Way". At the moment 18845 people have voted.
CLICK HERE to vote for your choice.
The poll finishes on 31st January 2010.
Leaderboard (3rd December 2009)
Lara Croft Way - 18250 - 97%
Merlin Way - 226 - 1%
Steve Bloomer Way - 85
Eagle Way - 78
John Flamsteed Way - 74
Griffon Way -64
Mercian Way - 40
Sorocold Way - 28
CLICK HERE to vote for your choice.
The poll finishes on 31st January 2010.
