Tank tops and akimbo wielding as Lara Croft came to town
Tomb Raider 30 — As the legendary video game celebrated her 30th birthday, around 80 superfans took part in a cosplay competition at her birthplace of Derby. Hatti Rex and Emily Rose England met some of the participants and found out what gaming’s greatest woman character means to them.
On the top floor of cultural hub and art-house cinema QUAD Derby, dozens of identical girls in matching cargo shorts and combat boots restlessly wait in-line. Helping each other with last minute wardrobe fixes, around 80 Lara Crofts and other characters from the series are nervously waiting for their cue to enter the annual Tomb Raider cosplay competition. This year, there’s even more buzz around the contest: how else would the most iconic female gaming protagonist of all time celebrate her 30th birthday?
Across the city, TR30 anniversary celebrations have been kicking off, organised by superfan and merch collector Luke Earle and the wider Tomb Raider Derby team. Derby’s Pickford House museum has an entire exhibition dedicated to the game’s heroine Lara Croft running since July 24 with this weekend providing the final boss of festivities.
Costumes aside, the day’s stacked quest log included talks and signings from game’s original and current developers, original Lara models Alison Caroll and Natalie Cook and voice actors Alix Wilton Regan, Judith Gibbins and Jonell Elliot. Egyptologist and University of Liverpool professor Marina Escolano-Povedo who got into her profession from being inspired by the games herself spoke about the ancient worlds explored in the games. Themed drinks based on in-game items were available: The Jade Dragon, a green one, plus a questionable glowing blue concoction named The Eye of Isis.
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If you’re asking why this is happening in Derby specifically, the city is where Tomb Raider was originally created in 1993 by developers Core Design, with Croft herself conceived by developer Toby Gard. Shortly after the studio’s closure, a nearby road was named ‘Lara Croft Way’ in her honour. She notably has her own Hollywood-style star on the Derby Walk of Fame and this weekend, a 9ft statue of Croft finally came home following a £30,000 online fundraiser to make her a permanent fixture. She’s plastered across the Derby Maker’s museum and the Derby Videogame Museum – our angel of the Midlands.
Fellow Midlands-born gamergirl and photographer Emily Rose England joined me on a day-long quest inside QUAD Derby to snap the friendly faces of the global Tomb Raider community, who had adventured in especially for the occasion. Below, Lara’s biggest fans explain their continued love of the game and discuss how they really feel about the industry nowadays.
Zoe, 33, Milton Keynes
How did you become a Tomb Raider fan?
My auntie gave me and my brother her old PlayStation. It came with loads of games, including Tomb Raider II and III. I initially played II and rage quit because it was so hard. I was only about five or six years old. Tried III, same thing. And then we got a family computer about a year later, and it came with a demo disc of The Last Revelation and I was obsessed with it.
What impact has the game had on your life?
It’s boosted my confidence. I think it’s helped me come out of my shell. It’s been somewhere to go when I’ve been alone. I can come out and just be someone else because Lara is completely different to me and it’s amazing to be this badass and go on these adventures.
How do you feel about the modern day gaming industry?
I’m definitely a classic Tomb Raider fan over modern gaming. It’s just more challenging. The puzzles are better. It’s not that I don’t like the newer games, but you didn’t have as much access to the internet and guides and whatnot, so you had to just go and work out yourself. Whereas now you can just pop on YouTube and work out where to go.
Have you ever locked a butler in a freezer?
Only in the games.
MCroft07, 32, UK
How did you become a fan of Tomb Raider?
Tomb Raider was probably one of the very first games I played when I was younger. I played it as it came out, and it became the family game. And I think just seeing how much of an absolute icon Lara Croft is, she’s just so independent. She’s so unapologetic. She’s so strong. She’s so athletic. She doesn’t take any bullshit from men. And seeing that from a young age was beautiful. Playing the games and seeing [Angelina] Jolie in the cinemas as a child was so inspiring.
What impact has the game had on your life?
Well, it’s had an impact on my bank account. I’ve centred a lot of my love around Lara and because of her, I’ve done a scuba diving course in coastal Thailand, snorkelled between tectonic plates and hiked in so many amazingly beautiful places across the world. I’m very privileged that I’ve been able to have those experiences because they’re very luxurious but I think she just inspires adventure.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate Lara Croft at her birthplace in Derby?
People assume that these big games always have to come out of London, LA, or they always have to come out the biggest places ever – to know that she’s just come from Derby is so lovely, and I think it’s a good reminder that there’s opportunities and a lot of amazingly skilled people everywhere. I think that’s so beautiful.
How do you feel about the modern day gaming industry?
Dire, to be honest. So many people are losing their jobs, and I think a lot of CEOs are prioritising profit over bringing adventure and love to video games. I think that’s so sad. And things don’t have to look like they’re so realistic either. There’s this weird drive to make things look realistic by any means necessary. But so many popular games, like Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, and Borderlands have gorgeous art styles. I think we should go back to what gamers actually do love, and we should probably stop caring so much about the shareholders.
Have you ever locked a butler in a freezer?
Yes.
Hamdan, 31, Abu Dhabi
How did you become a Tomb Raider fan?
My sisters introduced me to Tomb Raider. My first one was IV: The Last Revelation but I used to watch them playing Tomb Raider II and III. I got hooked immediately and finished the game without any guide or anything in the PS1 days.
What impact has the game had on your life?
It kept me moving on. After my two sisters passed away, with my grief, I keep playing these games to cherish these memories with them, and have fun – not take anything seriously.
And last question: have you ever locked a butler in a freezer?
Yeah, many times. Today I saw a real life one. I’m gonna trap him as well.
AnotherPlanetTV 32 & PJ Murray, 31, Liverpool
How did you both become Tomb Raider fans?
AP: When my dad bought me the PS1 many many moons ago, and we had Tomb Raider I, II, and III. It was one of the games that I was able to play very well but my dad could definitely play it better. Ever since then, I’ve brought it along with me my whole life.
PJ: It was a hand-me-down from my brother. I had Tomb Raider II and played it on the PC constantly because we didn’t have a lot of games. We had a football game which I had no interest in, and a Lara Croft Tomb Raider game. I played that one much more than the others, and just fell in love with it.
What impact has the game had on your life?
AP: Lara Croft definitely has a huge impact, not just in the Tomb Raider community, but she empowers a lot of women. I think that she is literally the embodiment of the strength of feminism. She is definitely the bravery that a lot of people could use in their life, especially in times like these.
PJ: I’m always surprised by how amazing the community is, how inclusive they are, and supportive of each other. Even now three decades on, it’s still going just as strong as ever.
Do you think it’s important to celebrate Lara Croft in her birthplace, Derby?
AP: There’s so many things here that celebrate the life of Lara, that celebrate the creation of the games as well. That reminds me, we’ve got to visit the museum at some point.
How do you feel about the modern day gaming industry?
AP: I think gaming developers should stay away from generative AI. I don’t think that these companies realize just how dangerous it is to communities, the planet, local wildlife, and even international wildlife as well. I think they need to embrace their creativity and skills to make something for humans, by humans.
PJ: It feels like cheating. If you were playing an idle game and use an auto clicker, you will still get the same results but won’t have that achievement and hard work that you’ve put into it., It just feels a bit of a cop out.
I’m really sorry to ask this in front of you, have you ever locked a butler in a freezer?
AP: Plenty of times. Do you know where the nearest freezer is?
Raymond Croft, 33, Los Angeles
How did you become a Tomb Raider fan?
I’ve been playing the Tomb Raider game since I was six years old. It has always meant so much to me. Playing as Lara Croft and exuding that confidence has been incredible.
What impact has the game had on your life?
Above anything else, I get to be here with my family. Like these are my brothers and sisters. I’ve been meeting some for the first time, some I haven’t seen in over 10 or 11 years. So being able to actually be here and talk with them and hug them and tell them how much I support their content and everything – I couldn’t ask for anything better.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate Lara in her birthplace?
This is where it all started, right? And that has to be acknowledged. I love that they have the museum open. Her star is here. Lara Croft Way is here. The actual place where they developed the game with six developers in 1996 is here. So it’s incredible to be in the space that honours Lara Croft, for sure.
How do you feel about the modern day gaming industry?
I have my reservations. I do like how hard games used to be back in the ’90s, but I feel part of it was hard because I was a child during that time, trying to learn and understand mechanics. But I would love for more games to just be more challenging to make the player think.
Last question, have you ever locked a butler in a freezer?
We were locking the butler in the freezer before we had YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, anything like that, and it’s something that everybody universally just did without understanding that this was a thing. And it’s like, “Oh, we all used to do that. We all had the same childhood.” So I think there’s these ways where we all connect with each other within moments like that, locking the butler in the freezer. So I’m just so happy that everybody played and did the same things I did when I was playing the game. So definitely, more than 50+ times.
Rana Katana, 30, Montréal
How did you become a Tomb Raider fan?
Growing up, my best friend’s mother was playing Tomb Raider on the PC, and we would look at her playing. We were obsessed with being an adventurer and badass female, and we would play outside pretending to be Lara. Then I grew up, and when Legends came out I had my own PS2 – I was unlocking the costumes and I could not be stopped.
What impact has the game had on your life?
[Lara Croft’s current voice actress Alix Wilton Regan appears.]
Alix: I love you.
Rana: I love you too.
Alix: You’re so good, so good. Front and centre.
Rana: I love you, mother. Oh my god. Okay. So what impact? What’s my name again?
That was so nice, what impact has the game had on your life?
Lara Croft made me the woman I am today. She taught me to be proud and brave and face my fears, and made me realise that women can do anything just by being themselves and being unapologetic about it, and have this ‘I don’t care’ attitude while caring at the same time. Vulnerable but also invincible.
She is a legend.
Honestly, yes.
How are you feeling about what just happened?
I’m still wrapping my mind around it, girl. When they announced the games, I did a live reaction and recorded myself on Instagram Reels, and she commented. I was like, ‘I made it.’
How do you feel about the modern day gaming industry?
It’s rough. This might shock you, but I studied 2D animation. I wanted to be in charge of creating characters in games, because I wanted to make the girls very cunty, but through my classes I realised that you can’t walk in and be like, “I’m in charge of the cunty girls” – that was not gonna happen, so I was like, “I’m gonna have to be a superstar instead.” The game industry was not as I imagined it as a kid,.
Back when I grew up, PS2, every movie had a game, you know. It was like nonstop. It feels like there’s a much bigger production level for games now that it’s less artistic sometimes. But for [upcoming game] Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, I’m so excited because it feels like the passion is there. You can see it in the eyes of the team. It’s gonna be beautiful, I believe. This is gonna be the perfect project to give a fresh twist on modern gaming.
Cici, 30, Wiltshire
How did you become a Tomb Raider fan?
I was born in 1996, so my dad introduced me. I just thought, “It’s really cool. It’s a girl in a game. I really like games.” It just progressed from there.
What impact has the game had on your life?
I mean I took archeology for college. I loved Egyptology and was really big into history. I went to do gymnastics tryouts, and it’s a lot of the reason why I go to the gym.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate Lara Croft in Derby, her birthplace?
I think for the UK in general, it’s really good to acknowledge our icons because I feel like we hear a lot about the US or other countries, and I think having something that’s ours is really important. So I think coming back to Derby is really cool. It’s nice to not end up in London all the time.
How do you feel about the gaming industry nowadays?
I think we’re in a really interesting spot where we’re seeing different sorts of characters and narratives – more than we used to see, which I think is great, and Lara’s been pivotal to that. We’ve had some ups and downs. I would like to see us going back to more original IP, I think the gaming industry should keep going in the original direction. I enjoy the remasters, but let’s come up with some new narratives and see where that can go.
Have you ever locked a butler in a freezer?
Unfortunately, yes, but he scared me first. Random old guy followed me. Huh? Oops, I employ him. Come out.
Matthew, 45, Leeds
How did you become a Tomb Raider fan?
When I was 15, the first game was released and my dad brought it home. The man in the shop said “this is quite a good game, so try it”. Every year a new one would come out, so it became a Christmas present essentially.
What impact has the game had on your life?
When I was looking at university choices, my number one choice was Derby because that’s where the game was created. Unfortunately, I dropped out. So you know, it has had quite an impact on my life. But I’ve been coming to these events every year. I was first prize winner for the first cosplay competition, it was amazing. I dropped out of university in 2001, so it was like: finally after 24 years, I’ve actually achieved something in this city.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate the game’s legacy in Derby?
Obviously the game was created in Derby. Also, it’s quite convenient for me to come because it’s just a direct train from Leeds.
How do you feel about people locking you in the freezer?
Every year, people say, “Oh, I’m going to lock you in the freezer,” and like every year, I thought, “Well, it’d make for an interesting photo, but go and find one because there aren’t any.”
Alison, 29, Derry
How did you become a Tomb Raider fan?
The first memory I have is my mum bringing me back a CD-ROM of Tomb Raider II, but she didn’t realise it wasn’t the first game, so I played II first. And I remember going into Croft Manor, and she was like, “Welcome to my humble abode again.” And I was like, “There was another part?” So I had to go to my friend’s house who had a PS1. You never saw women in video games before, really, back then, so it was good.
What impact has the game had on your life?
I think [they gave me] a sense of confidence in a way. I always had really bad anxiety growing up, and I find it really hard. This is the first time I’ve travelled by myself to somewhere to do something, so it was overcoming fear, and I thought, “Lara can do it, so I can do it.” I can embody her and just do it. You know what I mean. Even this meeting new people – like Jess [she motions to her friend waiting] and I didn’t know each other. We just met in the comment section and bonded. It’s a sense of community and belonging, really.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate the game’s legacy in Derby?
I’ve never been here but because she was created here, it’s such an honour to come here and visit all the places. She’s a part of Derby, which is really nice, and people seem to lean into it a lot here. So it’s really nice.
Let’s see your Lara Croft tattoo.
It’s signed by Miss Alix Regan.
How do you feel about the modern day gaming industry?
I think it’s changed quite a lot from when I was younger, there’s a lot more women involved now. You wouldn’t really see that back in the day, especially growing up in the like ’90s, 2000s. And it’s nice to see diversity too. If you look at Baldur’s Gate III, it was such a good way of showing that you can do things outside the box. So it’s nice that you have that nowadays.
Have you ever locked a butler in a freezer?
I have, I can’t tell you where he is though.
Rebecca, 34, Redditch
How did you become a Tomb Raider fan?
Since I was a child, when I robbed my brother’s first copy and played it for myself. I was just like, “Yes, I love her.”
What impact has the game had on your life?
I used to be 6 stone heavier than I am now and I always wanted to look like Lara Croft. So she influenced me to go into the gym and get fit. A whole other load of reasons too, like the fierceness – she’s brave, smart, everything. She’s just brilliant.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate her legacy in Derby today?
I just think it’s great to get all the fans and community together celebrating.
Have you ever locked a butler in a freezer?
Absolutely, and I got a trophy for it as well on the PlayStation, so I’m very happy about that.
Hatti Rex is a freelance journalist and contributing editor at Polyester. Follow her on Instagram.
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