Crystal Dynamics denies Tomb Raider attempted rape scene

Big deal. I won't expect a rape scene in a Tomb Raider game anyways, but if they did, congrats to them for trying to tell a story their way (Heavy Rain had two attempted rape scenes neither felt like cheap thrills). The gaming community and especially console gamers are starved of stories that dive into those more mature territories that movies have been doing for over half a century (and books for far longer than that). I hope sooner than later the general public will stop seeing gaming as a medium for children and allow more mature stories to be told. Unfortunately, I don't think the general public is the only ones to blame. Why would game developers shell out money for ambitious, mature story driven AAA titles when it's been proven they can just release a sequel to their flagship titles every year or two? It's no coincidence that some of the most recent games known for having mature or thought provoking stories or themes mostly come in the form of indie games on PC. Low production costs, less restrictions (both technical and moral). There was a time when I really welcomed the upcoming next generation consoles because developers have been saying for years now that the tech is limiting their potential, but the cost of making AAA titles isn't going to get any cheaper. Will developers still try to put out new IPs, and if so for how long? Can increased tech really help developers find new ways to tell a story or will the need to turn a profit cause devs to go the safer route and use the tech to focus on gameplay? ... What were we talking about again?

Pako and that crazy doctor tried to rape Paige in Heavy Rain but I don't remember anyone caring!

Just had to say, I get why this is a discussion but nothing happens.  The guy doesn't even get close.  To call sexual assault a theme in Tomb Raider is too much.  That'd be like saying animal abuse is a theme in the Dark Knight because batman punched a dog (scene near end where he saves victims dressed as goons).  It happened but no one got bent out of shape. 

I don't see the director of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo", denying their owns story, and that wasn't "attempted".  Why the hell should video game creators feel they should have to apoligise for their work.

What the fuck is the big deal? 

That was merely a rape attempt!The dude didn't even manage to touch her before she kicked him to oblivion and shoot him in the face!Seriously why all the hype for such a scene?The whole game explores the origin of how Lara came to be the gun-totting-archaelogist that she turned to be later.Of course they have to show how much she was pushed to the limit in order to actually kill a person!That was her first kill (Human kill) and the stepping stone to her transformation (along with other factors) you can't just grab two pistols at your early 20 and start shooting people indiscriminately!!There has to be a backround a forcing factor to lead you there!That scene that was shown in the trailer fits PERFECTLY to the whole premise they are trying to create and if they omit it they are stupid to the bone!Nobody complained to begin with!

there shouldn't really be any controversy. if they're going for an "m" rating, which it appears they are, then all the undertones of a female stranded on a male inhabitted island, inluding possible sexual desires, should be at least explored as an option to put into the game. again, if a game is rated "m" then it's not for kids in the first place

Why does it seem this game gets darker and darker?

This really IS quite depressing.What a stupid and vain conversation to have around this game,that in my opinion is gonna be something else.It's revolting how the press treats(even the game press)game in such a sensasionalist way!

"They're more like 'I want to protect her.' There's this sort of dynamic of 'I'm going to this adventure with her and trying to protect her," he said. "She's definitely the hero but you're kind of like her helper. When you see her have to face these challenges, you start to root for her in a way that you might not root for a male character."

Uh, that's not exactly a positive message there. It sounds like he's saying "I want to protect her because she's a woman."

At least that is positive, but I am really sad that this series is another victim of the dark and gritty reboot virus.

Hey GameSpot, thanks for censoring me for saying an inconvenient truth.

I already feel like Al Gore... :-P

All her rapes are belong to us.

They should just put they're game in the Mature Category

I like the new direction, what more could they do with the original formula? fingers crossed this is a great edition to a great story

My only concern is the shooting because recent installments have had a poorr shooting system hopefully with it being a reinvention the series thats a thing the designers have improved on.

Well this story has... evolved.

I liked it better when she could do backflips and shoot two pistols at the same time while in the air....

ICO made me feel protective.

Misunderstood... yeah right...

A lost island full of wild (and mostly male) survivors. A pretty and healthy young lady shows up and everyone wants to kill her... nothing more... :-P

Seems to me that the writers (or their bosses) didn't read "Game of Thrones"... Or they simply don't want this kind of publicity...

I bet it's the latter.

Ps.: Not saying I condone raping, but I find that lack of approach to the SEXUAL subject pretty lame and immature.

I feel more sorry for her butler, she keeps locking him in the freezer.

looks incredible good :)

" he has found that players don't often project themselves into the character, but rather act as her guardian."

So basically what he's saying is that they taken away all her strength of character and turned her into a helpless little girl the player has to protect. Wow they just managed the impossible, making her less of a sex object and yet making the game more misogynist. Just go back to a sexy Lara that kicks ass because even the feminists will probably agree that an oversexulized  but strong female lead is better than a weak female lead that needs the player's protection.

I don't see anything worth getting up in arms over in that scene. The bad guy touches Lara on the hip, she fights back and kills him. Some people are just overreacting. It's supposed to be a "character defining moment", so if the guy had just stood there waving his gun (without approaching her at all) and Lara had beaten him down and killed him it wouldn't have had that impact in the narrative that Crystal Dynamics are going for.

It looks like a sexual assault to me, but I don't think that so bad. That's something women have to deal with everyday. Lara is in a bad situation, this scene really expresses that and helps to develop her character. Just admit it CD. As long as it's to make the narrative better, I'm all for it. 

yep, put as much violence and blood in any game as you like, but don't even think of putting a hint of anything sexual in any game, ever. when is this industry going to grow up and grow a pair?

My main concern with this game and Lara's new found vulnerability that appears to be so appealing to everyone, is that once Lara has experienced all these "turning points" that will shape her personality, in future games she'll just end up being the same tough-chick hag that we were getting before. And they'll be forced to bring in another weak male comedy relief character to make up for it. :P

Tomb Raider was never Crystal Dynamics creation, they are merely making a game, but it wasn't their design, it's not really their true impetus and driving force. They have done alright though with the franchise so far, and CD even recruited some high profile Sony employees like a God of War Director.

This game should also provide some fun to those gamers that never played Naughty Dog's Uncharted, but they want a worthy AAA exploration/combat/platforming game on their machine.

So the TR franchise is in capable hands clearly, but it would be nice to see CD do something they want to do that isn't part of an IP they never created....which I hear they are working on once this game is released. Hint : Something to do with Legacies and Souls. :P

As a longtime TR fan, all I have to say is: anybody else sick of the grimdark? Does every game have to have a gritty reboot? Why does this look more like the next Saw than Indiana Jones? I'm all for Lara getting more realistic proportions, but do they have to throw out the love of adventure for survival horror?

Anita Sarkeesian would throw a fit.