In their first major announcement of 2017, Crystal Dynamics announced that Rhianna Pratchett, the lead writer for the best-selling games Tomb Raider (2013) and Rise of the Tomb Raider, will be parting ways with the Tomb Raider franchise to focus on new projects.
The team thanked Rhianna for her dedication and tireless efforts on both games and wrote that she was “instrumental in helping [them] find Lara’s voice in the 2013 origin story” and shaping Lara Croft “into the evolving heroine we know today”.
While the reboot series and its protagonist have proven divisive among fans, it’s clear that Rhianna Pratchett and her fellow writers have made their mark on the Tomb Raider franchise by bringing their own unique twist to the decades-old franchise and earning the respect of countless gamers in the process.
Shortly after the announcement of her departure appeared on Twitter, Rhianna Pratchett took to social media to bid a “fond farewell to Lara” and to thank her colleagues and the Tomb Raider fan community for their support over the past few years.
So, I'm packing up my climbing axe plus a little venison jerky for the road, and bidding a fond farewell to Lara. Onwards to new adventures!
— Rhianna Pratchett 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@rhipratchett) January 3, 2017
I want to thank the @CrystalDynamics team for their dedication esp. @jstafford @josefkstories & @noahmhughes. Guys, it's been emotional.
— Rhianna Pratchett 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@rhipratchett) January 3, 2017
But, I like to think we did some good things. Maybe shifted the gaming landscape a wee bit. And that feels damn good.
— Rhianna Pratchett 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@rhipratchett) January 3, 2017
I also want to thank TR's terrific fan community. You really are the best in the world. Constantly helping me remember why I do this job.
— Rhianna Pratchett 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@rhipratchett) January 3, 2017
While a vocal minority expressed some less than complimentary comments regarding Pratchett’s role within the franchise, a greater number of fans were saddened about the news of her departure and thanked the writer for inspiring them and giving them a heroine they could truly relate to.
seconded! We'll miss the authentic, emotive voice you gave Lara, but best wishes for your future projects
— Noelle Adams (@pfangirl) January 3, 2017
All the best for the future and thanks for these two awesome games that first brought me to @tombraider !
— Andreas (@derjockel) January 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/816416027949072385We'll be missing you a lot ❤ I will always have a special place for Jaffa Cakes (NOT Irn-Bru!) Best of luck for the future!
— Cath Vandier (@pixelcath) January 3, 2017
ahhh! Thank *you*! It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times.
— Cameron Suey (@josefkstories) January 3, 2017
Those games and our collaboration will always occupy a special place in my ❤ Thanks for being such an amazing and talented partner in crime! https://t.co/YIoYxYMxID
— Noah Hughes (@noahmhughes) January 3, 2017
No matter how you may feel about Rhianna Pratchett’s involvement in the Tomb Raider franchise or her other work, she deserves kudos for introducing a whole new generation of fans to the franchise (some of whom are now discovering the older games) and for helping put Lara Croft back on the proverbial map.
Thank you for your outstanding efforts, Rhianna. You and your Jaffa cakes will be missed.
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