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Tomb Raider's Lara Croft: Original Design Resisted Japanese Edits

1/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Paul Douglas, co-creator of Tomb Raider, says Victor Interactive Software asked to alter Lara Croft's appearance to appeal to Japanese audiences.
The proposed changes included exaggerated features like larger eyes.
Toby Gard, the original designer, resisted and preferred Lara Croft's original design.
A compromise added manga-style illustrations in the manual instead of altering Lara Croft.
The original Tomb Raider is set for a remake, Legacy of Atlantis, later this year.

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Story summary

Paul Douglas, co-creator of Tomb Raider, says Victor Interactive Software asked to alter Lara Croft's appearance to appeal to Japanese audiences.
The proposed changes included exaggerated features like larger eyes.
Toby Gard, the original designer, resisted and preferred Lara Croft's original design.
A compromise added manga-style illustrations in the manual instead of altering Lara Croft.
The original Tomb Raider is set for a remake, Legacy of Atlantis, later this year.