Introduction

Here is a complete timeline of all the things that have happened in the history of Lara Croft and Tomb Raider. 

Timeline

Early 1995 - The 'Tomb Raider' game idea conceived

The idea of an adventure game set in ancient pyramids, tombs and temples was conceived from a brainstorming session at Core Design in Derby, England. Conceptual designs showed that from a third person point of view, the game would feature a combination of exploration, action and puzzle solving elements. Another feature was a unique camera system that not only would follow the lead character but also zoom, pan, etc. to create a cinematic effect. The action was set in state-of-the-art environments that allowed the player more interaction and freedom of movement that any previous title.

Not only hugely ambitious from a technical point of view, the project also required an engrossing storyline and a dynamic main character credible enough to convincingly tackle its challenges, traverse its complex environments and ultimately solve its mysteries.

Entitled 'Tomb Raider', the concept was approved and development began, but before anything appeared on-screen, several months were required to define the game's objectives and draw up a blueprint for its construction. Due to its complex nature, custom-built software needed to be created to produce intricately detailed environments. Other assets required: a brand new game engine to handle the speed, detail and interaction required by the design brief, a scriptwriter to produce a movie-style storyline, and a main character to take the starring role.

May 1996 - The world first introduced to Lara Croft

After many character design sketches and several possible storylines explored, a 3D polygonal model was constructed and Lara Croft came to life on the computer screen for the first time. Dressed in combat shorts and a tight vest-top, her physical beauty, fearless acrobatic stunts and proficiently with a pair of pistols immediately won the hearts of company directors; the quest for the ultimate action-heroine was finally over. Tomb Raider was first unveiled to media and trade at the Electronic Entertainment Exhibition (E3) in May 1996, followed by the European Computer Trade Show (ECTS) in the UK later that year. Though unfinished, the game's cutting-edge technology and advanced levels of interaction attracted exceptional interest, as did Lara Croft herself.

November 1996 - Tomb Raider hit stores and blew away critics

Lara Croft was introduced to the consumer world with the release of Tomb Raider for Playstation, PC, and Sega Saturn. The title was critically acclaimed and gained more media coverage than any other game in 1996, helping it to immediately top the charts. There was no doubt that Lara was visually pleasing to the eye, but it was the shaping of her personality that would be crucial to her credibility as an intelligent, resourceful and independent character. Full motion video sequences and cut-scenes portrayed her as an inquisitive and intrepid explorer who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

Summer 1997 - Tomb Raider Gold released

Tomb Raider Gold was released for the PC, and contained the original Tomb Raider game, plus an additional four levels. With worldwide sales of over 3.5 million units, Lara Croft had established the Tomb Raider brand as a household name.

November 1997 - Highly-anticipated Tomb Raider 2 released

Tomb Raider 2: Dagger of Xian was released for PC and Sony Playstation. Tomb Raider 2 was branded the most anticipated sequel of the year during the months before its release. Sales figures for the sequel easily surpassed its predessor, with record-breaking day-one shipments; the game became the fastest selling title in the industry's history.

Summer 1998 - Tomb Raider 2 Gold released

Tomb Raider 2 Gold was released on PC as the third retail product to become available to consumers. They joined Lara in 4 dramatic new levels, in the final world of Tomb Raider 2. Many surprises awaited game players as they helped her to explore and discover a strange and hidden world.

July 1998 - Lara Croft's leap into mainstream celebrity status

Her popularity grew, almost exponentially, over the course of the top-selling titles. Described as a 'virtual idol', 'the first true supermodel of the cyber age' and 'Britain's ambassador for scientific excellence', Lara also took the mainstream by storm. She not only became a sought-after spokesperson, but was also featured in every medium.

Best-selling author Douglas Coupland's fascination with Lara Croft prompted him to produce 'Lara's Book' - an insightful collection of imaginary and text relating to the digital icon. Playmates Toys was granted a license to produce the official Lara Croft action figure and Top Cow was given permission to produce a second Tomb Raider comic book. Lara Croft was also name among the top 50 most influential figures of the 20th Century by TIME Digital Magazine (September 15, 1997) - and went on to be featured on over 200 magazine covers. She even made her debut on the music screen as a JumboTron video feature during super-group U2's PopMart Tour.

November 1998 - Tomb Raider 3 released

Tomb Raider 3: Adventures of Lara Croft was released for PC and Sony Playstation. Media reviews for Tomb Raider 3 were again outstanding and coverage surpassed even that of its predessors. Released in November 1998, the game topped the charts in what became traditional Tomb Raider Christmas style.

May 1999 - New Lara Croft model unveiled at E3 Exhibition

Eidos once again exhibited at E3 in May. Held in Los Angeles this year, the exhibition was a tremendous success for the publisher. Development of a fourth game was confirmed during the show and the publisher also unveiled another new piece of software in the shape of Lara Weller - the new Official Lara Croft look-a-like model.

November 1999 - Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation released

Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation was released for PC, Sony Playstation, and Sega Dreamcast. By June 1999 worldwide sales for all three Tomb Raider games approached 18 million units and 'Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation was officially announced to the public. The game head started development in spring of 1998, enabling programmers to redesign the engine and make fundamental changes. The next Tomb Raider would offer more than ever before, boasting a brand new inventory system, even higher levels of detail, all new puzzle mechanisms and a new Lara Croft 3D model capable of performing yet more moves and acrobatic stunts.

Last Revelation did not disappoint and the title held the number one chart position for Christmas. The title's finale however, caused something of an outrage: Lara Croft discovers the lost tomb of the evil god Set and unwittingly unleashes him, fulfilling the ancient prophecy of his return to plunge mankind into darkness. But once she defeated Set, Lara's future was left hanging in jeopardy as she became trapped in a collapsing tomb. Her fate was one Core Design's most closely guarded secrets and the truth would not emerge until the next installment.

February 2000 - Tomb Raider: The Lost Artifact released

Tomb Raider: The Lost Artifact was released for PC.

May 2000 - New Lara Croft model Lucy Clarkson debuts at E3

During Los Angeles' E3 show, May 2000, Eidos confirmed a fifth and final Tomb Raider for Playstation, PC and Dreamcast formats. Also announced was the release of a brand new Lara Croft game for the next wave of hardware, although this title would not be released until 2002. Making her debut appearance, as was now the tradition, Lucy Clarkson stepped into the limelight as the new official Lara Croft model and was received by an incredibly enthusiastic audience of journalists and photographers.

June 2000 - Tomb Raider for Game Boy Color released

June 2000 put Lara Croft into everyone's hands with the release of Tomb Raider for Game Boy Color. This format was hugely popular and the game received the highest praise from the games media.

November 2000 - Tomb Raider: Chronicles released

Tomb Raider Chronicles was released for PC, Mac, Sony Playstaion, and Sega Dreamcast. Tomb Raider Chronicles hit the shelves and fans rushed out in their masses to buy the title to find out Lara's fate from The Last Revelation.

The end sequence of Chronicles did hint at Lara's survival, but provided no conclusive evidence as to what exactly had happened to her or where she might be. This was intentional on the part of Core Design - having anticipated the next wave of technology and new console hardware, Core felt that now was the time to completely re-address the Tomb Raider formula and re-invent Lara herself so that the next adventure could be something totally new. By giving Lara a near-death experience maybe she would now re-evaluate her goals in life and take a new career path... but Core was tight-lipped about their plans, saying little to the media other than the fact that the next game would not carry the Tomb Raider title and would be a huge departure from the traditional formula.

June 2001 - Lara Croft come to the big screen

Paramount Pictures releases the much-awaited feature film version of the Tomb Raider game. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie opened in theatres worldwide and grossed $47.7 million in its opening weekend. Simon West directed the film, which cost over $80 million to produce, and was filmed on location in several countries including Iceland, Cambodia and Britain.

November 2001 - Lara Croft: Tomb Raider released on DVD

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was released on home video, with many special features on the DVD.

Fall 2002 - Next Installment in Tomb Raider series released

Core Design releases Lara's next adventure (currently a work-in-progress) Lara Croft: Tomb Raider The Angel of Darkness will be complete with exiting new characters and locations. By the time of release, development of this title will have totaled over three years, giving Core Design the time to ensure every effort is made to give Tomb Raider fans a brand new, larger-than-life adventure with their favorite digital girl.

More Information

Most of the information in this timeline is taken from the Tomb Raider: The Movie DVD ROM. I have typed it up and made my own changes and additions to it.