Lara Croft's design has evolved significantly since her debut in 1996, with the latest iteration in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis leveraging modern technology to create a more realistic and detailed character. The team at Crystal Dynamics aimed to balance fidelity and recognizability, ensuring that Lara remains instantly recognizable while benefiting from advancements in graphics and animation. The result is a Lara that feels believable and human, with intricate details such as hair and skin texture that were previously impossible to achieve.
The team also drew inspiration from the real world to create a more believable Lara, using a scanning pipeline to capture the texture and folds of real-world clothing. For one outfit, they even hired a tailor to create a custom-made garment, which was then scanned and used as a digital asset. This attention to detail helps to create a more immersive experience for players, who can now see Lara's emotions and expressions in a way that was previously not possible.