Tomb Raider writer Rhianna Pratchett on why she hoped to make Lara gay

KSD - As EA’s recent “Full Spectrum” event showed, players and developers alike have begun to realize that videogames could do a much better job handling diverse identities than they have in the past. How the game industry and its core audience of consumers begins to do so, however, is another question.

[jc48573]

thank you. seriously man, shooters is not just about shooting, you gotta give a damn about the characters. Do you like it? or would you prefer a different character for a change? is that one character gay? maybe she is. *people continue to shoot the boobs.

[zeal0us]

I'm all for giving a damn about the character but sexuality isn't something that should be forced just because the writer think its a good idea or hope for it.

If the game introduce relationship mechanics like in ME, Fable or etc, then I think choice should be left up to the players and not the writers. This way everyone can get what they want and not be forced to choose something they don't like

[Amazingmrbrock]

Telling a story in an artistic manner is not about leaving stuff up to the player. Gameplay is for the player, story is written by the author.

In real life, to many people, sexuality is something that defines their life. That can not be said for any character where it was left as a player based optional system. It's kind of like how choose your own adventure books almost universally suck. If you provide that many options the ability to actually craft a proper character go swirling down the drain.

[MaxXAttaxX]

I don't recall the original Lara being gay...

There's no need to try to make statements by changing a pre-existing character. Either write a book or create a new character/game. They already changed a couple of traits about her.

[SilentNegotiator]

Plenty of progressivism for progressivism's sake behind Tomb Raider...

"All men are rapists and large breasts are bad!! RAAWWR!!"

I'm glad she made these statements; it makes it a lot more apparent where the motivations of the changes came from.

[jc48573]

I'm talking mainly new games guys. Tired of the same old character stereotypes.

[Ser]

Agreed with SilentNegotiator.

Stop trying to shove this stuff down people's throats.

[Winter47th]

They wanna shove sexuality down our throats by force keep your sexuality, religion and politics out of my fucking video games!

[ChronoJoe]

The hell are you guys on about? how is defining someones sexuality as gay any more forcing homosexuality down your throat than any other game forces heterosexuality down your throat?

What kind of bigot feels they can't enjoy a story unless they can control the characters sexuality? The point is, it shouldn't matter either way. Anyone with any experience with the Tomb Raider series would know that its canon has been changed various times as it branched into different mediums.

[Ser]

@ChronoJoe

I'm that "bigot", I guess. I would prefer not to play as a homosexual character. And given the option, I wouldn't. Take that for what you will. The same goes for transgenders. It's just my personal preference.

I've got nothing against homosexuals or transgenders, but I don't want to play as one in a video game. Just like I don't want to play as giant hulking space marine bro. It's all personal preference. And if you've got a problem with my preference, my only advice is to deal with it.

It's only progressive if it walks and talks a certain agenda. That's not me, I guess.

[joab777]

Exactly. Its the age old, is it my character or the writer's? Unless u r trying to ruin something great and exclude many ppl, just leave it alone...especially Lara. My boss is a smart businessman. I know his political views but most ppl do no. Why? Because it is terrible for business. MJ once said when asked about his views that he had no comment because both dems and republicans buy shoes. Also, if u wanna do this, make a new IP and have the main character be gay. This cant be done so many iterations into it. Honestly, i think she just wanted to take one of video games biggest sex icons and change it...huge victory for the cause. Pick another game, better yet ...leave it alone unless its integral to the story or character.

[Christopher]

Just to note, the quote is actually: "There's A PART OF ME that would've loved to make Lara gay."

It does not say she hoped it, only that a part of her would have loved to have seen it. That doesn't mean she gives into that thought or that she, overall, though that it was a good decision to make with Lara. It's just an expression of one of the ways she thought about Lara during the writing process.

[Fullmetalevolust]

I understand that the most common argument found on N4g is the following :the relevance of sexual orientation is based on the core gameplay, does it require you to be one or the other or both in order to advance in the game?
And yet,we have seen games that put forth a heterosexual relationship without having a real impact on actual gameplay. Shouldn't the same be of gay characters?
If we are telling a story, why isn't it easily acceptable to have a protagonist with a same sex relationship than one with a heterosexual relationship?
It doesn't feel "forced" down our throats when Drake flirts with Helena,does it?

[OptimisticPrime]

Some heterosexuals are uncomfortable with homosexual relationships. I'm not talking about people who are hateful, but it still makes some of them uncomfortable. A gay gamer isn't going to offended by a heterosexual relationship though, nor is it going to take them out of the immersion... That's the differnce imo

[vickers500]

"A gay gamer isn't going to offended by a heterosexual relationship though"

Says who? Are you gay? Even if you could find one or even a few gay people who weren't offended by hetero relationships, there's probably still some of those who are.

And if they're so freaking uncomfortable, then they can simply NOT BUY THE GAME. Those weird and creepy japanese games with tentacles make me extremely uncomfortable just thinking about them, but I don't bitch at the creators of those games, I simply don't buy them.

If a writer wants to incorporate a homosexual character in their game as part of the story, then people shouldn't be against it. Maybe it wouldn't be a good idea for Tomb Raider since it's an established franchise, but if it's a new IP (or a brand new character), then devs should be able to make that character gay if they want to.

The world does not revolve around just one sexuality, and devs shouldn't change their games based on some peoples phobias. Feel uncomfortable about something? Too bad, play something else. There's plenty of other games out there without gay characters, not every single thing about gaming needs to be straight, and devs shouldn't bend over backwards just to make sure you feel safe and comfortable in your little bubble where gay people don't exist (not speaking about you personally, just those who have such a problem with homosexuality that they feel they are entitled to expect game devs to change their game just to make them feel more comfortable).

I'm straight by the way, so don't think I'm biased.

[rainslacker]

A forced relationship within a story is forced no matter if it's straight or gay. It's distracts from the story in a game, the same way a forced relationship distracts from a story in a movie.

There are certainly ways to make a relationship fit into a story, most often by making it a motivation of the main protagonist of the story, but I never got that sense from tomb raider. It was always about Lara and her exploits. All the relationships ever presented of Lara in a TR game(at least the ones I've played) have always been in how they affect her adventures or her character. Could that be extended to a intimate relationship? Or course. Does her sexual preference make a difference? Not at all. An intimate relationship is the same regardless of preference, it's just societies viewpoint of it that makes it different.

[Blacktric]

"Tomb Raider writer Rhianna Pratchett on why she hoped to make Lara gay"

Because she's anoter Jennifer Hepler grade pretentious fanfic writer with absolutely zero talent and maximum pandering?

You want to make a serious games that has a gay protagonist? That is absolutely fine. Just don't turn an already established character (over the course of more than 5 games mind you) gay just because you think it'll be positive PR for your anti-homophobia campaign or to show how open minded you or the industry is.

[Fez]

Don't want to use some sort of argument from authority but that's Terry Pratchett's daughter so I think she's probably had a pretty good literary upbringing.

Also, it was a reboot, so surely that would be the perfect time to make any changes to the chracter? Doiiiiii.

[Conzul]

Exactly. Remember how inFamous fans revolted when SP tried to change Cole's hair colour? I'm sure many more Lara Croft fans would have taken issue.

Not to say I'm anti-gay-in-games. With Lara killing all those dudes, I must admit it woulda been a hotbed opportunity for some lesbian jokes.

[rainslacker]

If making her gay had some context to the story then fine, but I fail to see how making her gay is anything more than just trying to be edgy for the sake of it. It's not mature to just make a character gay for no reason. TR story has never been about Lara's sexual preference, so why start now?

Basically it boils down to "why does it matter what her sexual preference is?". If you can't answer that seriously within the context of the story, then the answer is "it doesn't", thus it's best to just leave it alone. Trying to force it into the story is just shallow, and serves no purpose whatsoever.

[hellvaguy]

Kinda dont wanna play a gay toon. At the very least, why cant they give a choice at the beginning to go straight or gay?

[REALgamer]

The thing is, the same question could be raised for all games that present straight romance in them. As far as I'm aware there's yet to be a protagonist in a game defined as gay (ie: not one where the choice is given), whereas RPGs, JRPGs, action and adventure games frequently feature a protagonist with straight romance presented in the story (Assassin's Creed 2, The Witcher, GTA, etc).

I don't see why the sexuality of the protagonist would affect whether you feel comfortable playing them. Same with gender, race, etc.

If it's written and presented well, any character can be engaging whether you share their gender / sexuality / race / nationality / whatever or not.

I think publishers are still stuck in the mindset that their target audience is a stereotypical 'male 12-18' group that can't handle playing as anything but a gruff, shaved-head, straight, white male character without feeling uncomfortable or offended.

[fr0sty]

Not all people enjoy seeing a dude making out with another dude, whereas there aren't many who would say they're grossed out by seeing a dude with a chick. It isn't even a homophobia issue, some people just don't like to see certain things, and I can't say they should be held at fault. It's just a matter of personal taste, and the majority happens to favor that taste.

It's like my friend who rented that movie with Jim Carey where he plays a gay... He told me afterwards "I didn't know what the movie was about when I got it, and while I don't mind gay people, I don't really care to see a dude pounding another dude in the ass when I watch a movie.". Of course, the bleeding hearts will be quick to scream "homophobe!", but that isn't the case.

I have nothing against a game featuring a gay character, but I won't say that wouldn't make me give pause when I considered buying it or not. I have nothing against gays, but when I play a character, I want them to be someone I can identify with, and since I'm not gay I can't exactly identify with that kind of character. I can't put myself in their shoes as I play. As such, I'll probably play more games with heterosexual protagonists.

A lesbian Laura is something that would sell to even the 18-35yr. male typical gamer crowd, however. In fact, it'd probably generate sales just from the horny 12 year olds hoping to get a glimpse of a digital lesbian make-out session.

[KrisButtar]

@ realgamer, "If it's written and presented well, any character can be engaging whether you share their gender / sexuality / race / nationality / whatever or not." 100% agree, bubble up

@frosty, "I have nothing against a game featuring a gay character, but I won't say that wouldn't make me give pause when I considered buying it or not. I have nothing against gays, but when I play a character, I want them to be someone I can identify with, and since I'm not gay I can't exactly identify with that kind of character. I can't put myself in their shoes as I play. As such, I'll probably play more games with heterosexual protagonists.

A lesbian Laura is something that would sell to even the 18-35yr. male typical gamer crowd, however. In fact, it'd probably generate sales just from the horny 12 year olds hoping to get a glimpse of a digital lesbian make-out session."

so from your comment you can't relate to a character due to sexual preference alone? even if you had a lot of other things in common, that you could use to relate to? also by reading your comment it seems gay women are ok but not gay men, whats the difference they both have the same sexual preference(they both like the same sex), so what makes gay women ok and not the men? i have some close friends who are gay(male and female) i can relate to them in a lot of ways other than sexual preference. we like games, we cheer for the same teams, we like drinking, have the same taste in music, the list goes on and on.

edit fixed spelling

[stuna1]

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but looking at the demographic of the fanbase, I think more adolescent to pre-adolescent would be subseptiable to the message being sent! Most haven't etched out an identity for themselves as of yet.

I think that in itself is why they have rating for games in general.

[REALgamer]

@fr0sty - "Not all people enjoy seeing a dude making out with another dude, whereas there aren't many who would say they're grossed out by seeing a dude with a chick. It isn't even a homophobia issue, some people just don't like to see certain things, and I can't say they should be held at fault. It's just a matter of personal taste, and the majority happens to favor that taste."

The majority have also made Call of Duty the biggest selling series of this generation. If you only cater to the majority, there's not going to be much variety.

I think what you highlighted are the double standards at work. Below is your statement with only the subjects replaced with a different minority:

----

"Not all people enjoy seeing black people, whereas there aren't many who would say they're grossed out by seeing a a white dude. It isn't even a race issue, some people just don't like to see certain things, and I can't say they should be held at fault. It's just a matter of personal taste, and the majority happens to favor that taste.

I have nothing against a game featuring a black character, but I won't say that wouldn't make me give pause when I considered buying it or not."

---

Would you find that an acceptable reason to exclude that group from games?

[x5exotic]

Games that give you choices to affect the story usually have shitty, just-for-the-sake-of-it storylines.

#Skyrim #masseffect #wrpg

[stuna1]

The choice should be the players to make!

Lara in the older game came off as the tomboyish globetrotter, which in itself made her a relatable character. Making her straight or gay kind of ruins that illusion. It could also alienate portions of the fanbase, because they lose that relatable aspect of the game.

As a gamer I have related to characters in a "What if" type of scenario, it tends to make game play more immersive and enjoyable.

[rainslacker]

Edit: This was meant to be a response to RealGamer.

Well there was Fear Effect on the PS1. As I recall it actually scored very well partly due to it's rather mature story. It's worth pointing out though that it wasn't considered mature just because it had two suggestively lesbian protagonist.

The only time it's every really uncomfortable...for me at least...is when the relationship has no context or purpose to the story. For me though this is independent of sexual preference.

[GrumpyGamer]

Surely it only matters if the romance is an option within the story if not the character is what you believe them to be

[HarryMasonHerpderp]

Why should her sexuality even come into it would be a better question.

[CaptainPunch]

Agreed

[CyberCam]

Agreed x2

[Spinal]

Agreed monnnnnsttterrrr kill!!!!'

[HarryMasonHerpderp]

Thanks for the bubble up everyone who voted!
It's very much appreciated! :D

[PrimordialSoupBase]

o. so edgy

[DownNotOut]

i think i got cut

[Th3 Chr0nic]

Im glad this didnt happen, im sick of games turning into things like this even when it isnt gay

[Ares84HU]

Ok let's just stop right there!! Why do they need to make Lara gay??? Why is that important?? Why does it need to be talked about?? They really made the puzzles dumb, fine. They made Lara moan and bitch about every jump, fine. They made it more about shooting, fine. But this is crossing a line now. Lara Croft was everything before this game but gay. Do not make Lara gay. If you are gay be gay but Lara is an icon and she was never gay. Exactly the opposite in fact.

[zerocrossing]

This is what happens when you let feminists and white knights dictate the industry, Im fine with gay characters in games that's not the problem, but Lara is not gay and shouldn't be made to be to so in order to be different, gain wider appeal and/or avoid criticism for feminine misrepresentation.

[Ares84HU]

You know, I have no problem with gay people or feminist at all as long as they act normal but there is one thing that some of them do that I hate. That is they MUST turn everything gay and about being gay. Even things that has nothing to do with it and was never gay. They want to be accepted, I accept them but let's not push it! Want a gay character?? Create a brand new game with a brand new character and don't try to ruin an gaming icon because you are gay and you feel the need to ruin something for straight people.

[Christopher]

***This is what happens when you let feminists and white knights dictate the industry***

One writer's viewpoint is not the "Industry". In fact, this type of thing is so minor in games, it's just that when it does happen people make a big deal over it in comparison to the heterosexually focused media.

[rainslacker]

@cg

The fact that people make it into a big deal is just kind of proving zero's point though.

The people that do this(and I understand Pratchett didn't actually say she wanted this), do so knowing that it will stir up controversy. They are not ignorant of what society is like. In zero's comment, it is a way of trying to dictate the industry by invoking a discussion that is counter-productive to the overall goals of those that supposedly want this change in the first place.

My problem, in general and not just in the gaming industry, is that people instigate these discussions through inflammatory statements which cause the internet to explode in support over that particular persons viewpoint. The original commenter is using the "white knights" as a sort of army to further their own agenda.

It's happened over and over again and is a terrible side effect to the advent of social media. These same white knights do not take the time to educate themselves on the actual issue, and it makes it so much harder for those that actually try and affect real change through reasonable discourse and understanding, because now those same people have to back petal in order to not seem like they are just another crazy "fem-nazi" trying to circumvent a patriarchal society.

Real feminism is about equality, not superiority. The reasonable ones are just drowned out by what most people assume are feminist on the internet.

[Psychotica]

This is a game, not some mechanism for you to push your agenda

[arbitor365]

so the mere acknowledgement that gay people exist is "pushing an agenda?"

LGBT people make up 5-10% of the population and yet they make up about .01% of video game and movie protagonists.

[Ares84HU]

5-10%??? How did you come up with this number??

[Rooks00782]

No one is saying don't make a gay character in TR just don't mess with an established character. I'm all for Lara's gay best friend especially if it is a women, I'm a hetero male what can I say. I can't think of a gay lead char in a game so allow me to be hypothetical. Imagine if they made Anderson Cooper not gay in some game/movie. There would be a shitstorm. Changing someone's sexual preference is always an issue. Lara has not to my knowledge ever hinted at being gay. She has flirted with many male characters. Not saying that precludes her from being gay, she might be in the closet, but it seems contrary to the way the character has been previously portrayed.

[Lisica]

Why does a straight person has to do everything?

Let them create their own LGBT game.

[Fez]

@Rooks

Anderson Cooper is a real person. Lara Croft isn't. Of course changing a real persons sexual preference would be controversial (unless done for comedic effect) esp. a gay man to a straight man because that is the kind of thing our society does to people (pray the gay away for example) as being gay is seen as a disease by many. Noone tries to make straight people gay.

Anyway, this new Tomb Raider was a reboot with new writers and probably developers so the new Lara could have been written as a lesbian to challenge people's preconceptions. Like Dr Watson in Elementary being played by Lucy Liu. I think it's interesting when characters go against the grain or act in a way that is unexpected. Doesn't always have the desired effect but at least they're trying something a bit more interesting. It would be boring if every story just stuck to the stereotypical and expected formula.

[ThatEnglishDude]

Things like this annoy me. It's not that I'm against gay people or anything like that, and believe in equality and don't think anyone should be prejudice against anyone due to their ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. That said, I can't help but feel that the only reason we would see a gay Lara Croft would simply be to appease that particular audience and not because it's relevant to the character itself. It's like the suggestions floating around that the next James Bond should be black, and I wouldn't be surprised if it came to pass. Yeah, they'd pass it off and say he was the right actor for the job who just happened to be black - and in an ideal world, that would be the case, but the sad truth would be that the studios are under pressure and bend to demands in fear of being labelled racist.

I can't help but feel the same way about the gaming industry. With the current uprising of sexist claims within the gaming industry, I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing more strong female leads. Is this a good thing? Sure - if it fits the game. But again, the sad truth would be that developers are feeling under pressure, and feel as though they need to. This is bad.

Should Lara Croft be gay? ...I don't think so. Why? Because I just can't see it serving any relevance to any story she would be starring in, and if it did - it would feel forced and take away from the real reason we're playing a Tomb Raider game in the first place.

But of course, I think differently to you so I must be some sexist and prejudice extremist who's ruining our society...right?

[Excalibur]

Well said and sums it up perfectly.

[just-joe]

wrong post, sorry.

[just-joe]

I wanted to give 2 bubbles. 1 for intelligent and well said.

[CaptainPunch]

Her sexuality shouldn't even matter, why make her gay now? Honestly if you want to make a gay character, make a new game with a gay character as the protagonist. I'm fine with that. Don't go changing characters that don't need changing. What's next, make Drake gay or Master Chief? No.

"This is a game, not some mechanism for you to push your agenda"

"Should Lara Croft be gay? ...I don't think so. Why? Because I just can't see it serving any relevance to any story she would be starring in, and if it did - it would feel forced and take away from the real reason we're playing a Tomb Raider game in the first place. "

[REALgamer]

I've got to ask - how do you know Master Chief isn't gay?

I haven't read the books so I don't know if anything's in there, but I didn't see any romance either way in the Halo games. The relationship with Cortana seemed more platonic.

[aliengmr]

You bring up an interesting point.

I was going to go into a explanation why I think some characters are considered "gay" when sexuality is not an issue with the story, but its far too complicated for a comment on N4g.

Suffice to say, though an interesting idea, when it comes to Lara, this article doesn't make the case for it. Furthermore, there are other areas of this "new" Lara, that needed more development IMO. Not that she was badly written, quite the opposite.

[TekoIie]

I personally find it incredibly amusing how there are only "good characters" and "good female characters". What ever happened to that feminist belief of equality huh?

[jagstar44]

when i was playing i got the feeling that sam and Lara liked each other in a gay way :/

[rainslacker]

I can't speak to that since I haven't played much of the game yet.

However, in real life I know quite a few women who are at least moderately attracted to a good female friend of theirs.

I don't really want to go all psych 101 here, but it may have to do with the way women process intimacy. It's more on an emotional level, and not necessarily all physical like most men are.

In no way does this really make them gay though. Of all those friends I speak of, only one is what would be considered bi-curious. The rest generally think other women are just bitches.

[MilkMan]

For some apparent reason, I don't know why. I always thought she was homosexual. Even when she was supposedly in opposite sex relationships.
I just think it fits the character, not because shes a "warrior" archetype, but something about how shes been written.
Guess its just me. It never affected how I played the game or anything.

[jut420]

Let's just totally change a character people have known for almost 20 years, so I can push my opinion on people about hot topics in current pop culture.

[Simon_Brezhnev]

I would rather have a black Lara Croft than a gay one.

[Saryk]

Had see been gay, she would have been a man with boobs!

Edit: Not like that would have been a bad thing!

[BioDead]

Gay or straight or something between, is it male or female doesn't make any difference to me.

[Alos88]

I'm only against this because it's altering an already established character to fit the whims of a new writer. I'm not against a gay protagonist, but make a new character if you are going to do that.

[arbitor365]

i love how some people are disingenuously veiling their homophobia, saying

"you shouldnt change a character at all. that is unthinkable."

as if characters never change or gain new traits in a reboot. as if making Lara Croft gay would somehow ruin her character or completely change it beyond recognition.

people just want any excuse to exclude gay/bi characters from media, always dismissing them as a gimmick or some part of an agenda. because apparently its just unfathomable that a character could just be gay in the context of their world.

[Th3 Chr0nic]

Lol your funny, as if people cant ever mean what they actually say. no they wouldnt do that, they MUST be hiding some anti-gay agenda cause thats a huge conspiracy. give me a break

[Fez]

You must be picking up the homophobic undertones when scrolling through these comments? It's pretty undeniable. And consistent with every other article on n4g about homosexuality in video games. I've noticed it every time, overwhelming negativity towards any showing of same sex affection.

It's probably not homophobia but it's definitely an uncontrollable reaction to seeing two men being intimate. Or even just the idea of it. Bet your squirming just reading this? And that is a direct result of societies attitude towards homosexuality.

I never see people say that the Drake-Elena Drake-Chloe relationships were unnecessary for example... which it really was in an action game. I would like to see a love triangle in a video game with one gay man, a straight woman, and a confused man as a semi-central plot... if just for the reaction on here lol

[Th3 Chr0nic]

sex should just be kept out of gaming entirely, no matter what the scenario there is always someone that doesnt like it or is put off. If there is a gay character a % hate it just cause. Other times there is a gay character and its a female and all the guys are like "YEA LESBO SEX" and then that pisses another group off. so no matter what it is just going to attract negativity.

Honestly it just feels very forced anyway, as if its only being done in order to find a way to tap into that % of the market share. its just very disingenuous 99% of the time

[SAE]

If changes happened then there should be a good reasons. Being weak and unexperience have been explained before it's even released. But this is not about lara character or a story. It's about sending a message. This is a huge change that came from no where and it's only there because of personal goals.

[Jor-El1996]

Dude make her gay and then go and make her fall for another chick and make them make out and then go and make her kick the girls ass like a ninja and then have her cry and talk talk about her fellings that way evryones happy... oh yeah have her ride a bull... that would kick ass

[KontryBoy706]

first of all, why does Laura have to express her sexuality in a video game anyway? Next, one thing I'll NEVER EVER understand are guys fascination with lesbians. They don't like men they like women so how is it even attractive in the first place? If this woman want's to make Laura gay why not write a book or something? Just leave it out of the game. I guarantee it will impact sales... for the worst.

[SAE]

I'm gonna buy tomb raider and turn lara into an ape. Since we love big changes that much

[MaverickStar7]

Why does her sexuality have to even come up in the game? It doesn't matter if she is gay or straight. Leave it alone. Don't try to shove something in there when its not necessary. Not everything has to be a platform for your beliefs and ideas, no matter which side they fall on.

[level 360]

Gays and Lesbians are overrated. Get over it. Just make a believable and engrossing character with a good story to back it up.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Personally UNLESS there is a real concrete reason for bringing a sexual relationship or even bringing sexuality into the conversation I prefer developers steer clear. Heterosexual or homosexual. I find the Kratos sex romps utterly stupid and pointless, just as much as the GTA IV hooker romps (although that humor isn't lost on me). 99 times out of 100 sexual relationships and forced commentary about sexuality in games comes across cheesy, not well done and kinda pathetic as seen in Mass Effect series. POINTLESS adds NOTHING.

[KillrateOmega]

Hm, that was actually a very interesting read.

I like that they're not placing emphasis on Lara's relationships and instead are focusing on just her. They really nailed her character development. She's a strong person, but still very human.

I wouldn't particularly mind if they made Lara gay, just as long as it wasn't forced solely so that they can push an agenda. If you're going to make a gay character I believe that it should be a genuine part of the writing process, naturally flowing off of your pen instead of being forced in order to try and get more money from a particular demographic.

[Kingthrash360]

They should just make it a possibility like mass effect. Case closed...
One thought.....when did games get so complicated.. I miss the simple times
When you could just press the x button to do almost everything.

[Dannehkins]

I don't mind either way, but then again I am very open minded about these things. It just doesn't concern me, I have better things to worry about. I can't grasp why it is a big deal considering how far modern day society has come.

Nonetheless, they could approach it like J K Rowling approached Dumbledore. You never explicitly get told he is gay, but she has quite regularly said he is gay. A much loved character who is homosexual and the books still sell like wild fire.

Just a thought.

[uuaschbaer]

If people like Anita Sarkeesian could talk relative sense like this (the interviewee not the interviewer who comes across as a bit social-justice-warriory) I wouldn't have any problems with them. It would be a mistake, however, to assume that so many games have barely vulnerable main characters just because publishers are gutless. Look at how many people dislike Tidus. (No scared and vulnerable male characters my arse, FFX spoiler: http://youtu.be/FV4MNmtsLpY ) The higher the budget, the more people need to be placated; that's the case for games as it is for films, celebrities, politicians.

[Zha1tan]

And here I was playing games thinking they were all about fun rather than the sexual orientation of the character which doesn't even matter to the story setting or gameplay at all.

By all means make her gay, just don't make a big deal out of it. I don't get these people that have to parade homosexuality...wow your gay! fantastic moving on.

[Sketchy_Galore]

"Right, Nathan Drake is not seen as the voice of all white men"

But he's voiced by Nolan North, who IS the voice of all white men in games.

[EbeneezerGoode]

It would be stupid to make Lara gay! Why? Because all this time she's be held up as some kind of icon for feminine power, a girl who could kick ass just like the men, who was intelligent, strong.

Make her a lesbian? Way to fall into the trap of removing one great feminine hero that any woman (gay or straight) could associate with (in other words sexuality wasn't in question nor an issue) and replace her with a cliche'd 'man-ish' lesbian who can only kick ass and work like a man because she's gay?? That's doing no service to gay or straight women.

I'm glad this didn't go ahead. Nothing wrong with gay characters, but to do that to gaming's biggest female star would be removing her uniqueness and the message 'women can be strong/ass kickers too' and replacing it with 'women can be strong/ass kickers, if they happen to be a lesbian'.

Wonder if Naughty Dog considered making Nathan Drake gay to fit some cool PC profile?

[Blacklash93]

Lesbians are women, too. And not all of them are butch and super-tough by any means. Straight women are capable of doing everything they can. There's no implication unless you're looking too much into it.

[EbeneezerGoode]

That is exactly my point! lara IS a straight woman, if they change her it will be a perception that her lesbi... ah forget it, not here to explain to the dim.

[Blacklash93]

"and replace her with a cliche'd 'man-ish' lesbian who can only kick ass and work like a man because she's gay?? ... women can be strong/ass kickers, if they happen to be a lesbian'."

Apparently responding to the ideas you put forth makes me dim. Nice one.

Anyway, I'm just criticizing the idea some people have that lesbians are on a totally different standard than straight women. The new Lara could just as easily work as both as she is. Lara isn't any less "feminine" by being a lesbian in itself. Nor would she inherently be any tougher.

Really, a lesbian is still a woman. She can be a role model and an icon for all women. All people need to do is realize that.

[chukamachine]

I don't need to know the sexuality of a character.

People in real life, did not choose to be that way. It's a mixture of chemicals in the brain to causes it.

[2v1]

is the devil in the brain that causes it..you all fools play around with fire!

[rezzah]

I wouldn't of mind if she did make Lara gay.

Yet at the same time, I doubt it would change her personality, just her sexual preferences.

[Fullmetalevolust]

I understand that the most common argument found on N4g is the following :the relevance of sexual orientation is based on the core gameplay, does it require you to be one or the other or both in order to advance in the game?
And yet,we have seen games that put forth a heterosexual relationship without having a real impact on actual gameplay. Shouldn't the same be of gay characters?
If we are telling a story, why isn't it easily acceptable to have a protagonist with a same sex relationship than one with a heterosexual relationship?

[EbeneezerGoode]

future thought: lesbian sex QTE scene or it didn't happen :P

[2v1]

keep this homosex thing out of my games damit

[profgerbik]

Unless there is a real point to it. I could careless what my character has sex with.. I am playing a damn game.. That is one thing I can't stand about equal rights which I heavily support them.. is at times I feel like people just try to take it a little too far.

I have nothing against Lara being gay, but to just want to make here gay all of the sudden? Don't use it as an after thought, seems more like some personal agenda than anything to do with the actual game, characters or its story.

See I can't take comments like what Rhianna said previously "Creating Men with Boobs" isn't that sexist and demeaning to women in a way on it's own? That you literally can't just build a strong female character without referring to her as a man, or using so many references about men..

Just like Dykes who have been assholes to me, always suck "suck my dick" How the hell does that make sense, you support women activism, you are gay and like women but you want a dick and you even act like you have one but then hate men while doing it..

That is my problem, so many people try to use equal rights as some type of statement but just come off being completely contradicting and even sexist themselves.

I mean do people write for games that are men, going around talking about how they wanted to "Create Women with Penises" in their game but no just because it is a women using the reference it is acceptable..? Again I don't see how that is being treated equally when if a man did in fact ever say that, you know exactly what would happen...

It would be all over the news and everyone and even probably activist groups would be calling that person a sexist pig.. I seriously can't stand society at time..

I really hope people see I have no problem with gay characters, hell I could careless if a game is completely gay as long as it is a good game.. but I feel many people go the wrong way when talking about this subject and I feel Rhianna has definitely contradicted herself on too many occasions for me to even care about what she says about being gay or using it in a game.

[JeepGamer]

Nobody is going to care much if Lara is gay.

It's when they make male characters anything other than completely straight that the oh so tolerant and open minded gaming community has a problem.

Zevran was funny as hell by the way. I liked him.

[maniacmayhem]

There was a game on PS2 that had two female lovers and it was a damn good game...

My Kingdom for anyone who can tell me the name of this game because i forgot.

It was one of the first games to have the whole cell shading type graphics.

[Blacklash93]

That could have just reduced her to the sex-symbol fantasy many saw her old incarnations as in the eyes of many. It wouldn't be fair, but that would probably happen if she was a lesbian.

I wonder if this is why Lara's relationship with Sam seemed a kinda les-yay. The endearment, the hugging, Sam becoming a classic damsel in distress for Lara. I attributed it to a close friendship, but it definitely crossed my mind for a second.

Also this is a misquote, she said "part of her" would have liked to make Lara a lesbian. That doesn't mean she would have if given totally free reign to write her.

[ginsunuva]

I always thought she was lesbian

[loltonytony]

"There's a part of me that would've loved to make Lara gay." I think the writer wants Lara...badly.

[aLiEnViSiToR]

This is JUST stupid and idiotic, FOCUS ON THE GAME and how you can improve THE GAME... Not your personal feelings -_-

Cant wait to play >>>
http://chugginmonkeys.com/i... /s

[g2gshow]

if lara was gay when the first tomb raider was release fine but lara's creator is a man an she was created as a sort of dream women for him an thats why so many male gamers connected an bought her games. because she had it all smart sexy strong now this c#@t want to make her a pie eater go write you owen charter cu@# . lara is what's she is today because of all the male gamers who have been buying her games for years even when they sucked an girlfriends hated her next thing they are going to want to turn her into a female right activist piss off an write you owen charter

an if you disagree guess what you are

[Derekvinyard13]

True

[devilhunterx]

So now Lara will be Fabulous!

[Psychonaut]

I don't care about her sexual preference unless it ties into the story somehow. i.e rescue mission in which Lara goes out to save her love, AND...there is maybe a make out scene with her and another woman. In this instance bring it on :D Not only will I be saving a a pretty woman using a beautiful woman but im treated to make out scene or maybe more like God of War style lol.

[SOULJER]

WTH? Why is that writer trying to gay everybody up for. Made Lara look like a frighten dirty litte boy. It all makes sense now.

[Obscura]

The headline is pretty misleading, it makes it sound like it was a serious consideration. If you read the article, it was clearly just personal musing, nothing more.