Lara Croft is one of the most, if not the most, famous female game characters. It might be hard to believe, but she’s turning 20 today. And in celebration of her birthday, Square Enix is giving you a chance to get a copy of the PC version of Tomb Raider 2013 for free if you donate to the GameChanger Charity.
“Since its introduction, Tomb Raider has held a significant place in video game history, and further cements that with this milestone,” said Ron Rosenberg, Co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics said in an official release. “We look forward to celebrating with fans, and honoring the iconic Lara Croft with special events, retrospectives, giveaways and other surprises throughout this year of Tomb Raider.”
The first Tomb Raider was released in 1996 for PC, PlayStation and Sega Saturn. At the beginning the Tomb Raider games were developed by the now-defunct Core Design. Though the first two games received critical acclaim and sold millions of copies, the franchise deteriorated over future releases. Lara was officially handed off to Crystal Dynamics. Their first outings with Lara were Tomb Raider Anniversary and Tomb Raider Underworld. But these games paled in comparison to Tomb Raider 2013, a game that redefined the character of Lara. Tomb Raider 2013 received almost universal acclaim and spawned the equally successful sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider.
“Tomb Raider has become a cultural phenomenon over the last 20 years, selling millions of copies worldwide, sparking one of the most successful video game film adaptations in history, and inspiring our amazing fans of all ages,” said Scot Amos, Co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “It’s incredible to be part of this legend and to see how much the series has evolved over time, and think about what’s yet to come. Here’s to 20 more years of adventure together.”
But perhaps the biggest marker of Lara’s 20th birthday is the chance everyone has to get a copy of Tomb Raider 2013 for PC for free. Anyone who makes a donation of at least $1 to GameChanger gets a copy. GameChanger is a charity that aims to help children with terminal illness by giving games to the hospitals and care facilities where they’re treated.
