‘Tomb Raider: Shadows Of The Truth’ TTRPG Guidebook Confirms Crystal Dynamics Working To Apologize For Franchise’s “Colonialist” Origins
Spencer Baculi
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In the latest instance of the Western video game industry’s incessant obsession with unnecessary virtue signaling, the guidebook for the Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth table-top role-playing game has revealed that current franchise developer Crystal Dynamics is actively working to both apologize for and distance the action-adventure series from its “colonialist” roots.
Developed by TTRPG production studio Evil Hat Productions – who readers may remember as the publisher behind the attention-desperate title Thirsty Sword Lesbians – Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth puts players in the role of a ‘Truth Seekers’, described in game as “contemporaries of Lara Croft who strive to reveal long-hidden knowledge and thwart those who would steal and exploit artifacts for their own gains”.
As a Truth Seeker, players are tasked with exploring various locales and ruins in service of solving any number of ancient mysteries, the exact details of which are determined for each campaign by the ‘Keeper of Truths’ (essentially the game’s equivalent of a ‘Dungeon Master’ in Dungeons & Dragons).
Unsurprisingly, in light of both the premise of its source franchise and the TTRPG itself, Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth requires players to ‘raid’ various ruins and uncover the various clues and historical truths they contain therein.
To this end, in an ostensible attempt to avoid their work of being ‘problematic’, Evil Hat Productions included a disclaimer within the game’s guidebook explaining to players that while the Tomb Raider franchise was based on the idea of being an ‘archaeologist explorer’, Crystal Dynamics had since moved to distance Lara Croft and her future adventures from their original concept.
Headlined ‘Raiding and Colonialism’, the disclaimer, as discovered in an early playtest version of the game, begins, “What, then, is raiding? And how does it mirror colonial practices?”
“Raiding, as depicted in the original Tomb Raider games and stories, involves going to ancient tombs and historical sites of different civilizations and acquiring artifacts,” wrote Evil Hat Productions. “It operates on the assumption of ‘finders keepers’ that grants raiders with the means and drive to claim ownership of artifacts, regardless of whether they have any historical or cultural claim to the treasure.”
“Later games released in the franchise have started the work of addressing this by having Lara Croft acknowledge her past mistakes and try to understand and show respect for the cultures and communities she comes into contact with,” they continued. “She has also worked to reform raider culture and raise the awareness of her peers.
“Lara no longer decorates her mantle with mythic artifacts – as a raider she prioritizes seeking out the truth,” the publisher wrote. “Much of this game is inspired by her humanity, struggle with heroism, and her tenacity. We believe that all three aspects are an important component in creating a game that celebrates history and culture while acknowledging the respect and work required to live in a world wounded by colonialism.”
Drawing their disclaimer to a close, Evil Hat Productions ultimately affirmed, “In this game, we seek to continue in that work alongside Crystal Dynamics by creating a sandbox for you to tell stories that address colonialist themes in play and create your own stories of respect and support for the people and cultures your Seekers encounter.”
As of writing, Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth is currently in active development.
A crowdfunding campaign for the title is set to launch sometime later this year. Should this prove successful, Evil Hat Productions is seeking to release the full game at some point in 2025.
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