View Full Version : Has the TR fanship changed (if at all) since 1996?
I've been a TR fan since TR1. Do people think that the TR fanship has remained broadly similar over the last 10 years or not?
Yes, it has since TR Legend, people become interested in the game because of everything new that is offered in the new TR games.
That's actually a very illuminating answer :)
I think it depends on whether those fans were very loyal and loved the series (like you, or like a lot of people here in the forum) and weren't disappointed by any of the games, OR forgave the faults Core/CD made; or those kind of fans, who would immediately forget the whole game the minute they see something better.
Maybe I'm not right, but that's how I think it is. But to finally answer the question: I think it's fairly the same.
Well when a franchise is released for the first time, fan's expectations might be a lot different.
Certainly a lot of elements that are considered normal in a TR game nowadays, would surprise my 1996 self, if they were to be included in a sequel.
So you could say that my expectations have changed a lot.
Personally I never stopped considering TR my favorite series, even after a couple of disapointments, it still is. But then again I don't own many video games (I don't have much "comparison" so to speak). And other games I've played even if I enjoyed them, they didn't "stick" (as in, TR is the only games I actually replay, along with PoP).
Anyways, I was never very demanding with TR because I first came across the series with TR3 which was already pretty varied, and therefore I took the changes in the series relatively lightly, even if some of them eventually displeased me (mostly in Legend, though I was pretty tolerant with AoD).
I think some TR fans lack this type of flexibility (not saying it's a bad or good thing, just saying); but in general the TR fanbase seems to remain "loyal", at least they stick around this forum. :p
That's actually a very illuminating answer :)
Thank you. :hug: :)
ClassicCroft
13-07-08, 16:46
I think the new tombRaider games make new fans ;) because the are intrest in the new game! the think: WOW that,s cool ;)
In 1996 the fans were thrilled with Tomb Raider, it was fantastic, now we are more jaded, and have lots of other similar games to choose from, there is more competition these days. Some fans complain about even the smallest little detail or complain Tomb Raider is not like something else, true there have always been complaints, even about the first game, but it is getting to the point Tomb Raider fan almost means the opposite of what it should.
Fans complaining is nothing new, Core Design had the same problem from TR2 onwards, but it just seems to get worse, particularly on large forums, where the outspoken minority are more noticeable.
It has definitely changed. In 1996 there wasn't such a focus on the development of the character so much as the gameplay. Now, you'll find plenty of people arguing what Lara's personality is truly like and whether or not certain things belong in the Tomb Raider world.
It's amusing how loud we voice our opinions now. Most of them are far more critical today than in 1996. Our standards have gotten higher and we're more personally involved with the game being as it is such a long running franchise. Especially playing Tomb Raider growing up and watching Lara form into who she is today. It's very easy to get protective and defensive. In 1996, we were introduced to an incredible outside the box game and it has become (for lack of a better word) a very dear friend. A friend I've remained loyal to regardless of my opinions on specific details or subjects. :D
AmericanAssassin
14-07-08, 01:25
Tomb Raider games are, and always will be, my favorite video game series. The original is my favorite, but I can honestly say that I love each and every game in the series for different reasons. So, for me, my feeling for the games have not really changed. However, for the general gaming community, everything has changed. The series went from being a PlayStation figure-head and arguably the best series of all time to being a complete joke, to most people. Nobody really takes the series seriously anymore. The guys at Eido$ don't even care. They just want to throw out a game a year, reguardless of how they turn out. :(
The only change I've seen is the split between the fans; those who love CD's work & old Core fans. You can see that split by the number of CD-Core-love-hate threads all over TRF :)
As for myself, I'm always in love with TR & Lara, I'll always play the games whenever possible :) :hug:
oocladableeblah
14-07-08, 04:14
I think it depends on whether those fans were very loyal and loved the series (like you, or like a lot of people here in the forum) and weren't disappointed by any of the games, OR forgave the faults Core/CD made; or those kind of fans, who would immediately forget the whole game the minute they see something better.
Maybe I'm not right, but that's how I think it is. But to finally answer the question: I think it's fairly the same.
So your saying people who like all of the tr games are not loyal? I have been a fan since basically the first one and I like the new one sure I don't like the mommy story and zip and alister yipping in my ear, but I still like the games.
I don't really know about the older games since I was like 6-10 years old and I didn't really know about competition in video games we sort of just enjoyed all video games, but now at least where I live no one talks about tr all people talk about it halo or rockband/guitar hero basically xbox things.
Its a simple question, that without a doubt has a very complex answer.....
Its really impossible to say exactly, because the answer depends on who you ask.....
I really only found this forum back in 2003.... so to say what TR fans were like before than, is impossible for me to say. I was the only person i knew who was a fan.
I have seen a drastic change in the fans though... which started with AOD and was only made worse when the TR series was taken from Core and given to Crystal Dynamics...
I can remember reading posts on this forum back then, and the atmoshphere Pre-AOD was unquestionably more unified....
I myself would say that as the games have changed, I have rolled with the change and feel pretty much the same way about TR as i did back when i was counting the days till the release of TR2. (Damn that was like 10/11 years ago)
There are people who are on opposite ends of a spectrum here, from some who would go as far as to say that CDs TRs are better than Cores, to some that have basically said that they dont play Legend/anniversary, and only play the classics, and consider themselves to be the "true" TR fans.....
So in my opinion... TR fandom has changed drastically since TR1...despite the fact that I haven't...... but I suppose it depends who you ask
So your saying people who like all of the tr games are not loyal? I have been a fan since basically the first one and I like the new one sure I don't like the mommy story and zip and alister yipping in my ear, but I still like the games.
No, I'm not saying that. I'm trying to say that people who followed the TR series and even though they didn't like some of the games, they still followed the series. Most of the fans, I'm sure are like that.
But, I don't have the right to say who's a loyal TR fan and who is not, it's all up to the person to judge it.
Well back in early 1997-1998 l and a fair few friends used to love playing the first 2 Tomb Raider games now l am the only Tomb Raider fan here. Eidos has an uphill battle to make Tomb Raider as popular as it used to be. All but one still play games, they just no longer have any interest in Tomb Raider, some are actually fairly strongly anti Tomb Raider and refused to even look at the new games.
The difference between old-school fans and new ones is obvious. IMO it's like difference between true fans, explorers and consumers... And it highly depends on game course change - if Classics was character personality/exploring/gameplay generally oriented, TRL/A are image/effects oriented. So more people find great outfits collecting and using rather than exploring.
Yes it changed. 1 to 4 was more mature audience who are into a game that grabs you and takes you on a journey and where the level design was important.
TRL and TRA was more for teeny boppers who like fast arcade style games and soap opera storylines..
:o
Jedd Fletcher
14-07-08, 09:00
I definitely think so. Back in the days of TR1, truly 3D platforming and adventure computer games were in their infancy, so it really revolutionised the industry. But now, the Tomb Raider games have to cater to more demanding gamers who have been enchanted by the gameplay and graphics of such modern classics as the Halo, Half Life and CounterStrike series. Also, I suppose the fanbase has made way to include many female fans who idealise Lara and enjoy the concept of the character, as opposed to merely drooling fanboys who relished the pixelated beauty (these fans still exist though-I'm one of 'em in a sense!)
Also, I suppose the fanbase has made way to include many female fans who idealise Lara and enjoy the concept of the character, as opposed to merely drooling fanboys who relished the pixelated beauty (these fans still exist though-I'm one of 'em in a sense!)
The thing is that the concept of the character must not be limited to outfits and love stories necessarily... Especially this character concept :mis:
The only change I've seen is the split between the fans; those who love CD's work & old Core fans. You can see that split by the number of CD-Core-love-hate threads all over TRF :)
As for myself, I'm always in love with TR & Lara, I'll always play the games whenever possible :) :hug:
Luckily for some of us, we love both works, and just generally love tomb raider no matter what problems there are.
personally, i have been an obsessed fan since back when i was a kid, i remember going to my friends house everyday to play his copy of tr1, until he purposefully snapped the disk :( anyways i love the originals, i love aod and i love anniversary and legend. it was not actually until i came on here that i started to realise the problems with aod- it was my favourite game when it was released. *sigh*
I have noticed a change in the fanbase though. back in the past it would just be me and my true friends that loved tr (because i forced them mwaha) but when legend was on its way, i went way over the top and showed it to everyone when i was at school (im at college now :p) so i can proudly say i was responsible for the sales of legend to almost 100 casual gamers...
i remember going to my friends house everyday to play his copy of tr1, until he purposefully snapped the disk
Pure evil
takamotosan
14-07-08, 23:08
i've been a fan of the series since i got tr1 for my 8th birthday.
though i never actually finished the game until many years later, i've always loved it and always stuck with the series.
however, i know that a lot of the original (and most likely older) fans of the series aren't happy with the new direction TR has gone.
and i know that tr hasn't had near the fanbase it had back around tr1 and tr2.
but i will always be buying the new tomb raider game.
because i <3 lara.
Lara Croft!
15-07-08, 00:24
The classic fans are more or less the same, because the games had the same base and game play. AOD and especially Crystal Dynamics TR's fans can be different. Some haven't even played the old ones or weren't big fans. Like some who like the classics and don't jump around of joy with the new ones. Plus, fans' age -an important factor, varies from 8 to 88... So even in one year's time TR fans can be different, let alone from '96 to now...
Jedd Fletcher
15-07-08, 07:35
The thing is that the concept of the character must not be limited to outfits and love stories necessarily... Especially this character concept :mis: Of course: in essence, Lara Croft is James Bond and Indiana Jones rolled up into one sexy, kickass, capable, uber-rich and fearless young women-and that's what I call a character concept. Those who know the history will know that Toby Gard's initial design was basically a man in a hat with a whip, which was far too much like Indiana Jones. After observing that his programming colleagues at Core preferred playing as female characters in the early fighting games of the time, he developed Lara Cruz, a sultry South American female Indy. To make her more relatable to the UK audience, "Lara Cruz" became an English aristocrat who was also an adventurer and archaeologist. For the name, Gard and his colleagues flipped through a phonebook and found a florist named Lara Croft, and the rest is history.
^ Yup. And I say: If it's not broken, hands off - don't fix/change it :)
I've been a fan since 1998, the first time I played TR III and that has never changed over the years. Even though I feel like CD's Lara is different from Core's and what it made me picture her as.
I know TR lost fans over the years, but I don't know if they have gained any with Legend and Anniversary. I used to know people who played the classics because they liked the games, or just because they liked lookin at Lara's pixel-butt. Now I hardly come across people who have one of the games at home.
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