Today is a big day as Tomb Raider I–III Remastered is released, just in time for Valentine’s Day. When discovering the game, there are still a few “surprises.”
The remaster of Tomb Raider 1–3 is now officially available on February 14, 2024. As you will see, the studio has chosen to keep the content of the 90s games intact. With the many controversies swirling around the current period, the studio made the decision to protect itself by adding a warning. Which, of course, sparked further controversy.
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Already a controversy for Tomb Raider Remastered?
Indeed, upon launching Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered, players are greeted with an explanatory content warning. Crystal Dynamics acknowledges the presence of “offensive representations of peoples and cultures, rooted in racial and ethnic prejudices” which, obviously, do not correspond to the company’s current values. In fact, this decision to present the games in their original form, without alteration, is justified by the desire to admit ” their harmful impact and to learn lessons for the future”.
The controversial elements are not detailed in the warning. But it’s widely speculated that Lara Croft’s adventures in the South Pacific, where she battled loincloth-clad, blowgun-wielding islanders, were largely responsible for this decision. These characters are implicitly presented as cannibals. A representation that has drawn criticism for its lack of cultural sensitivity.
A difficult choice
Crystal Dynamics’ decision to retain these representations without modifying them raises an important debate on the conservation of video game heritage. But also the responsibilities of developers in the face of outdated or controversial content. Modifying classic games to bring them up to current standards can provoke a strong reaction from some of the public. Who can see this as a form of censorship.
But in any case, fan reaction to this decision remains mixed. Some applaud Crystal Dynamics for its transparent and educational approach, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and learning from past mistakes. Others, however, believe that highlighting these aspects could draw unnecessary attention to issues that would otherwise go unnoticed. Thus contributing to increased polarization around the game. In any case, we will let you be the judge of this warning. You can find the message in question in the image below:
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This one seems to only concern Tomb Raider 3 content.