Square-Enix Reminds Us That We’ve Spent 20 Good Years With Lara Croft
At this year’s E3, Square Enix is hosting a variety of Tomb Raider 20th Anniversary events, including a special episode on Square Enix Presents, the live broadcast from the show floor, featuring fan-favorite tombs from the past two decades of Lara’s adventures. The Square Enix E3 booth will also feature a customizable impact engraving machine. Show attendees can secure a limited edition, custom-engraved medallion with the 20-year celebration logo.
Square Enix is providing fans with the opportunity to answer the question, “What does Tomb Raider mean to you? ” Fans are able to submit a video explaining how the series has influenced their lives, recalling their favorite franchise moments, a story of how Lara Croft has inspired them, or other memories from the past two decades. Videos can be submitted here.
In addition to the video testimonials, Square Enix’s Fan-Art community can be immortalized in Tomb Raider history by submitting their original works to the #TombRaider20 community art contest. The Fan-Art can cover any of the iconic elements of Tomb Raider: beautiful landscapes, long-forgotten tombs, dangerous enemies, and of course, Lara Croft. Classic and modern interpretations of the character are encouraged! Entries can be submitted here and the contest is open until June 17, 2016. The winners will each receive $1,000 and will have their works featured in a special print art offering to be revealed later this year.
The Tomb Raider 20th Anniversary celebration has already seen a number of announcements. During this year’s PAX East, April 22-24, in Boston, Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics hosted a panel – “Lara Croft: The Undisputed Queen of Gaming” – along with a cosplay celebration featuring a variety of fans dressed as the lady herself. Square Enix also revealed that there will be a one-of-a-kind epic biography focusing on Lara Croft available later this year. Written by lifelong Tomb Raider fan and Crystal Dynamics Senior Community Manager Meagan Marie, 20 Years of Tomb Raider will explore the history of the entire Tomb Raider franchise. This special edition hardcover book includes unpublished images, information on the series’ lore, iconic characters, epic fan community, developer history, and insights into the games that started it all. Included are: exclusive interviews from Core Design, Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal, official voice actors, composers, live action models, comic artists, and an in-depth look at all games in the franchise with insights into unreleased titles as well.
Also revealed at the panel was that original franchise composer Nathan McCree is returning to his roots with a new musical endeavor entitled The Tomb Raider Suite. The collection will include all classic compositions, as well as extensions and variations of original tracks from the first three Tomb Raider games. The Tomb Raider Suite will be available for purchase through digital download and CD this fall.
Along with the album, a live performance of the suite is scheduled for a major London venue to correspond with the official 20th anniversary of the original Tomb Raider’s release from 1996. More details and ticketing information will be announced at a later date. The entire process – from re-composing the tracks to the final live concert – will be showcased in a TV documentary called Tomb Raider: Remastered, also airing later this year.
All this and more is in store for Tomb Raider this year. Start sharing your favorite franchise memories now by using #TombRaider20.
For more information on the Tomb Raider 20th Anniversary celebrations, keep it locked to COGconnected.com.