Tomb Raider at 30: The Legacy of Lara Croft (Call for Chapters: Tomb Raider at 30 )
Event: Call for Chapters: Tomb Raider at 30
Tomb Raider at 30: The Legacy of Lara Croft (Emerald Publishers)
Proposed editor: Natalie Le Clue
In the world of Tomb Raider adventure awaits around every corner, waiting for the extraordinary to be uncovered. This has been the story of Lara Croft for nearly 30 years. Recent announcements regarding the upcoming live-action series by Amazon Prime (Maas & Otterson, 2024) and an officially redesigned character hinting at a new game release (Dinsdale, 2024) have thrust Tomb Raider back into the forefront of mainstream public consciousness. Since its inception in 1996, fans of the game series and the iconic Lara Croft have embarked on a journey together, solidifying her status as one of the most iconic game characters ever created. As she has transcends into films, merchandise, comic book lore, and beyond, the fascination with Tomb Raider and its protagonist has endured for three decades and shows no signs of waning.
In light of the approaching 30th anniversary of the first release, there is a compelling opportunity to delve into the enduring legacy and cultural significance of Tomb Raider. This academic collection aims to examine, amongst other topics, the staying power of Tomb Raider, its profound impact on gaming, its influence on the 21st-century gamer, and its broader implications for popular culture.
From being hailed as a feminist icon (MacCallum-Stewart, 2014, Engelbrecht, 2020) to facing criticism as a mere "cyberbimbo," (Kennedy, 2002) Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider franchise have sparked diverse interpretations and discussions. Therefore, we invite contributions that critically analyse Tomb Raider from various angles, including its portrayal of gender, narrative themes, impact on gaming culture, and broader cultural relevance. Additionally, we encourage investigations into its marketing strategies, fan engagement, and reception across different cultural contexts.
Potential topics for chapters include, but are not limited to:
- Gender representation in Tomb Raider and its evolution over time
- The narrative themes and storytelling techniques employed in the Tomb Raider series
- The cultural significance of Lara Croft as a gaming icon
- The influence of Tomb Raider on subsequent video game titles and genres
- Fan cultures surrounding Tomb Raider, including fan fiction, fan art, and fan communities
- The portrayal of archaeology and exploration in the Tomb Raider franchise
- Comparisons between different iterations of Tomb Raider media (games, films, comics, etc.)
- The marketing and merchandising of Tomb Raider and its impact on consumer culture
- Analysing the reception of Tomb Raider in different cultural contexts and regions
- Exploring the intersections of gender, race, and sexuality in Tomb Raider and its fandom
- Femininity
- Examining diversity
- LGBTQ+ themes
- Colonialism
- Otherness
- Decolonisation of narratives in gaming
- Fan fiction, fan art
- Cosplay
- Feminist interpretations
- Critiques
We welcome and encourage contributions from scholars across disciplines, including but not limited to media studies, cultural studies, game studies, gender studies, sociology, anthropology, and psychology. Chapters should offer original insights and analysis, grounded in relevant theoretical frameworks and supported by empirical evidence where applicable.
Submission Guidelines:
Abstracts of 300 words should be submitted by 31 August 2024 to tombraider30book@gmail.com
Include a brief author bio with your submission.
Please include affiliation, if applicable.
Notifications of acceptance will be sent out by 08 September 2024.
Full chapters of approximately 6,000 words (including references) will be due by 31 December 2024.
All submissions will undergo peer review.
Proposed timeline
Abstracts due: 31 August 2024
Completed first drafts due: 31 December 2024
Reviewer comments returned: 31 March 2025
Revised papers due: 31 May 2025
References
Dinsdale, R. (2024). Tomb Raider Dev Reveals Lara Croft's Official Redesign. [Online]. www.ign.com. Last Updated: 15 February 2024. Available at: https://za.ign.com/tomb-raider-next/190194/news/tomb-raider-dev-reveals-lara-crofts-official-redesig [Accessed 17 May 2024].
Engelbrecht, J., 2020. The new lara phenomenon: A postfeminist analysis of rise of the tomb raider. Game Studies, 20(3), p.9.
Kennedy, H.W., 2002. Lara Croft: Feminist icon or cyberbimbo?. Game studies, 2(2), pp.1-12
Maas, J, Otterson, J. (2024). ‘Tomb Raider’ Series From Phoebe Waller-Bridge Greenlit at Amazon. [Online]. www.variety.com. Last Updated: 14 May 2024. Available at: https://variety.com/2024/digital/games/tomb-raider-tv-series-amazon-phoebe-waller-bridge-1236002408/ [Accessed 17 May 2024].
MacCallum-Stewart, E., 2014. ‘Take That, Bitches!’ Refiguring Lara Croft in Feminist Game Narratives. Game Studies, 14(2), p.np.
Natalie Le Clue