October 24, 2010

Community Event: Lara's Big Book o' Poetry

Hi, all. Today I'd like to make an announcement in support of a friend. Hunter's Tomb Raider Tales is proud to present its first Community Event: Lara's Big Book o' Poetry, a group project which aims to create the largest compilation of fan-created verse in the world.

Many of you contributed your wonderful work to my Haiku competition this summer. You're welcome to submit those same poems for the book, plus any other type of poetry as long as it has a Lara Croft/Tomb Raider theme.

The deadline for submissions is November 13, 2010. Complete rules and info can be found in the Community Events section at Hunter's Tomb Raider Tales.

Poets are welcome to email Hunter directly with their entries. Or post on these forums:
As we all know, TR fans are some of the most creative gamers out there. Let's see what you can do!

October 11, 2010

Inside Aldwych: Tube Station Reopens to Commemorate The Blitz

Jaden Morretti, webmaster of the wonderful Tomb Raider site Guns and Grapple, recently visited the disused Aldwych station, which was temporarily reopened to mark the 70th anniversary of the Blitz. Old-school raiders will recognize it from the London levels in Tomb Raider 3. Jaden has graciously allowed me to reprint part of her article here. Follow the link below to read the full article and browse her Aldwych photo album.

Aldwych Station has been closed since 1994. Now the station rarely opens, but when it does it is used for film sets and exhibitions.

Living in London does have a lot of benefits, as a Tomb Raider fan you would have a lot more. A lot of scenes from the first Tomb Raider film was shot here, as well as the HQ for Eidos/Square Enix Europe, and several Tomb Raider levels takes place in England. My first Tomb Raider game I played was Tomb Raider 3, and my favourite levels took place in London, so for me visiting Aldwych station was really exciting, especially since not a lot of people can go there any more.

The tour took place early 24th September. Since the station rarely opens, me and my sister attended one of the Blitz experiences which recreated what it was like during the Blitz in London, since the station was used as a place of refuge.

Inside the station it was very much like the levels. The walls were made of cream coloured titles with a band of green titles half way up the wall. The entrance led down a few steps to wooden telephone booths, similar to the ticket machine designs from TR3. The design for the station was quite different to the games, instead of a main area leading to two escalators there is a main area which lead down to stairs.As for the size of the location, the real station is twice as small as it appeared in the game but the platform is much longer. . . .

Article continues with photo album at Guns and Grapple

Other links:
Aldwych Station Sign
Aldwych Station Sign - Photo by Jaden. Used with Permission.