Crystal Dynamics Says the Word ‘Rape’ Is Not in Its Vocabulary

by David Sanchez on June 30, 2012 @ 11:51 am

People continue to blow the whole “Lara Croft almost being sexually assaulted in the new Tomb Raider” thing way out of proportion. The scene in question, which depicts an enemy trying to get grabby with a captive Croft, is obviously used as a storytelling device that furthers the plot, helps the protagonist’s character evolve, and gives players a reason to kick some ass. Still, people continue to bring it up and pester developer Crystal Dynamics with it.

Speaking to Kotaku (which just so happens to be one of the many entities that keeps on pressing the issue annoyingly), Crystal Dynamics Global Brand Director Karl Stewart addressed Executive Producer Ron Rosenberg’s previous statements. “He said something which is certainly a word that is not in our vocabulary and not in our communication,” said Stewart. “He did say it … It’s his personal opinion and certainly … like I said, it’s not something that we communicate.”

I think it’s pretty obvious that the scene that has stirred up so much buzz is most certainly a potential rape situation. Well, up until Croft knees the frisky dude and gets away. But really, is that even remotely a bad thing? Film and literature use rape as a plot device all too often, and successfully I might add. The fact that now we’re getting a scenario where a young lady almost gets raped is just a sign that our medium is evolving. Or at least it’s trying to, but annoying forces like Kotaku continue to throw more gasoline on the fire.

With the reaction Tomb Raider has generated as a result of that Crossroads trailer, I wouldn’t be surprised if that scene is removed entirely from the upcoming title. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen, though, because Croft kicking a would-be rapist’s ass would make her look even tougher and way more badass.

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Read more: Tomb Raider Launch Week Sales Were Highest in Series’ History, Square Enix Thinks Hitman, Tomb Raider, Sleeping Dogs Delivered Weak Sales, Crystal Dynamics: ‘No Plans’ for Single-Player Tomb Raider DLC, Tomb Raider Review: This Reboot Is Lara Croft’s Greatest Adventure Yet, 1 Million Reportedly Playing Tomb Raider

Comments
hush404 says:

Perhaps "Surprise sex" is? :P

lol, I think the rep in question just used a bad way to describe the scene in question.
June 30, 2012, 8:07 pm
slicer4ever says:

so....what word would they use then?

but so what, it's like you said David, it's part of telling the story of how croft became...croft, i suppose it might hit a scar for anyone whom has been raped though, and i'd agree that it's doubtful we'll see this scene in the final game at this point.
June 30, 2012, 8:58 pm
Craig Fairfax says:

Rape is in my vocabulary, its also listed under special skills on my Résumé.

Joking aside, I'm ok with them using it as a plot device. it'll get people to care about the outcome of the game, because as someone that has played and beaten the first three games I don't remember shit about them other than breaking her neck of the highest thing I could find.

Besides, rape in gaming is nothing new. We all know that bowser raped peach and that's how he got 8 kids... seriously who would let him fuck?
July 1, 2012, 6:40 am
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