What To Expect In A Tomb Raider Game With Sign Language

Nearly two years ago, we discussed what can make a spin-off of the Tomb Raider franchise accessible and entertaining for gamers with hearing impairments, primarily in the United Kingdom with a very specific new element [51] [52]. If you are familiar with the game Moss and how its adorable protagonist communicates [26], you may get the idea. As someone who gained an interest in learning sign language and earned a Level One and Level Two qualification in Makaton [54], I still strongly believe a concept could work with carefully selected and crafted aspects, considering how I can further develop my skill in Makaton by learning even more signs and continue to support the Tomb Raider franchise. In the meantime, Tomb Raider Reloaded is yet to be released globally later this year after its soft launch in 2021 [30], so the idea of another spin-off involving sign language can be planned out for the future. I am always up for new and interesting ideas that would expand on how accessible a game can be in quite a unique way, which could include a spin-off of the Tomb Raider series starring a brand new character who primarily communicates with sign language.

As rather fascinated I am at the art style of Tomb Raider Reloaded, in spite of how off-putting it seems to some tomb raiders [57] [58], I am once again honoured to discuss how a spin-off involving sign language can excel, especially for a more niche crowd [51] [52]. [48]

Celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Tomb Raider franchise in 2021 was awesome, including the time three memorable incarnations of Lady Croft were welcomed to the world of Fortnite [59]. But when it comes to a forthcoming global release and hopes for something unique in another spin-off, there is no going home. For a new spin-off game that involves sign language, a new protagonist who is deaf and skilled in sign language can potentially make deaf gamers feel more welcome to play a Tomb Raider game, much like how Lauren Ridloff portrayed Makkari in Marvel’s Eternals, expanding on the wide diversity of superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe [4] [10] [22]. I am also up for her to also be either lesbian, bisexual or pansexual, making her the next LGBTQ+ character in the Tomb Raider franchise [7] [40] [41]. She might as well have the occupation of an archaeologist too, giving her a legitimate reason to raid a tomb and prove that those with hearing difficulties can succeed in archaeology too. To further assure that she will be safe throughout her journey, she ought to follow the rules of Ms. Croft’s RPG book, don’t you think [38]?

A special thanks to ArtsyMii for this lovely artwork of what I briefly imagine a new deaf protagonist would look like she drew back in 2020. How about the option to change her tank top from green to yellow, quite like the recent change of a certain logo in 2022 [54]? [2]

It would be essential to not mistake signs in ASL (American Sign Language) for signs in BSL (British Sign Language) [20] [57] [58]. Besides BSL, there is also Makaton and SSE (Sign Supported English) to communicate with those with hearing impairments in the United Kingdom. While BSL is pretty much its own language with certain grammatical differences, SSE follows spoken English word-for-word [5] [17] [25]. While Makaton can be helpful for people who can hear but have other learning or communication difficulties [5], it is also available to learn in Australia and New Zealand since BSL is primarily used in the deaf community with its own regional differences in the United Kingdom [36]. There are a few different signs for Makaton, compared to BSL and there are some exclusive signs for SSE to follow the grammatical structure of spoken English, yet all three sign languages share a lot of similarities [16] [17] [25] [37]. It would be mindful to portray a deaf protagonist’s skill in sign language reliably by taking the small differences between BSL, SSE and Makaton into consideration, quite like how it would be important to know the differences between Mandarin and Cantonese when seeking employment in Hong Kong to avoid saying a word or phase in the wrong form of spoken Chinese [6] [14] [15].

As previously stated, sign language is not universal as there is also American Sign Language, Spanish Sign Language and more [1] [3] [5]. [8]

I personally think the best choice for a new hearing-impaired tomb raider’s language would be SSE as the way it follows spoken English word-for-word will make it easier for players who can hear to follow along [5] [17] [25]. The protagonist ought to sign in SSE directly to the player most of the time in a way that would make some fourth-wall breaking welcoming, but not overly patronising like Dora the Explorer’s fourth-wall breaks [31] [32]. [25]

Just because someone who is skilled in gunnery has hearing difficulties, does not mean their capability will be affected. Besides, as I previously stated, there would be a flash at the tip of a gun if a bullet is fired, just as long as the flashes at the ends of the protagonist’s guns will not be too flashy and bright to help the game remain accessible for those with photosensitive epilepsy [51] [52]. To bring the vibes of the well-received reboot that began back in 2013, there can also be an archery mechanic, which is what I would definitely be up for in terms of honouring the acclaim of the younger Lara Croft in the reboot timeline [29]. No matter how accessible a spin-off game can be to a gamer with hearing impairments or epilepsy, there still would need to be the same amount of violence and puzzling solving from the main games to prevent the experience from becoming rather patronising, whether the game will consist of highly similar graphics to the Lara Croft GO app [13], the same art style of Tomb Raider Reloaded or similar visuals to Lara Croft: Relic Run [28] [46] [48].

Surely, you cannot go wrong with some classic virtual shooting. [43]

Last but not least, there ought to be some underwater sections to increase the variety of experiences in the gameplay and further show that a new deaf protagonist can be just as capable as Lara Croft has always been. [45]

The environments in a new spin-off of the Tomb Raider franchise might as well be gritty with realistic textures and quite big with a lot of space to voyage through [9]. I strongly suggest that there can be a country or county that has not been established in the franchise before or could be given further exploration [39]. One location could be an ancient castle in Wales, quite like Gwrych Castle where the most recent series of I’m A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here is set in [12] [56]. Another location could be in a building in South Korea where the protagonist can attend a formal party to gather some clues and bond a supporting character who is also skilled in BSL or SSE [17] [25]. A new wintery landscape could be the mountains in Vancouver with a mysterious volcanic area [19], like the one in the Snow Resort in Go Vacation [23] [24]. There can also be a summery landscape in a county in Australia or New Zealand, which could lead to the hearing-impaired protagonist wearing sunglasses, just like how the classic Lara Croft wore hers. Establishing new interpretations of real-life countries can increase the credibility of a new Tomb Raider with quite a twist [39].

It would take quite a lot of research to accurately portray new real-life locations. Aside from how a new playable character whose unique skill is communicating with sign language ought to be female to honour the female empowerment that keeps on blooming throughout the run of the Tomb Raider series [51] [52], there ought to be some new interpretations of real-life locations to increase the credibility of the series’ notability for being set in the real world [39]. [42]

In conclusion, the idea of BSL or SSE in a new spin-off of the Tomb Raider series might not happen, but it is fun to discuss how new instalments can work exceptionally [51] [52]. Similarly, there could be a new human character in the future of the Blinky Bill franchise who communicates with Auslan, which is short for Australian Sign Language due to being deaf [3] [27] [53]. Ultimately, there can always be relied on subtitles as an eventual patch for Spyro Reignited Trilogy provided subtitles for the cutscenes [11] [50]. To other terms of accessibility in the future of gaming, I would also be up for a new Dance Dance Revolution arcade machine to feature a control system that is similar to the DK Bongos [33], requiring a player’s hands instead their feet to make the series accessible for gamers who are unable to use their legs [18]. Moreover, I am always up for gaming franchises trying something new, much like how Talking Angela got into karate back in late 2021 [35] [36]. As for the main Tomb Raider series starring the one and only Lara Croft, how about a stunning HD remake of the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of Tomb Raider Legend for the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X in the near future of gaming [44]?

There would be a lot to expect in an HD remake of Tomb Raider Legend, such as a glamourously updated model of Lara Croft in her “Legend” look [45] [46]. Care to demonstrate an example, Konrad Majewski [21]? As for the concept of a spin-off involving sign language, especially for players with hearing impairment, I enjoyed further expanding on how such an idea will work with my fellow tomb raiders [51] [52]. [44]

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How I Feel About Wanting To Be A Video Game Journalist

For several years, video game journalism, in general, has been referred to as “a joke”, “useless”, “dead” and “irrelevant” [16] [21]. As a writer, I had a constant, yet infrequent fear of being bitterly labelled as “an SJW”, “hateable”, “pathetic”, “stupid”, “worthless”, “useless”, “a feminist”, “an urinalist” and “a talentless hack” as I continued my passion for writing gaming-related articles for my blogs [3] [12] [14] [24] [28] [30]. It even unnerved me before I even started my blog as it would be a somewhat rehash of how I felt during numerous controversies surrounding the creepypasta community during my third and fourth years of college [2] [23] [26] [37]. Nonetheless, I just went ahead of began my hobby in late 2017 due to how unhappy I was after my year at university and the urge to make five years of studying games design and interactive media lead to something I could find enjoyable to collide with my ambitions in writing and creativity [42]. It eventually became a hobby for also reviewing and analysing cartoons, most notably Helluva Boss [31] [32] [36] [45] [46] [47]. It was not until December 2021 I sensed a breaking point within a stream of monthly motivations. Furthermore, I would like to inform my dear readers that I might not be up for writing any more gaming-related articles for a while.

The following is not to gain false sympathy from anyone, but it is just an expression on why I might not continue the gaming-related aspects of my blogging for a fairly short while [29]. I have been wanting to write an article like this for quite some time. It is not the only time I have felt ambushed just for trying to be a good person online [17]. [13]

Why does this issue affect me, you ask? Recently, I have been verbally attacked for just stating my thoughts on a woman wanting to normalise facial hair on women in a polite and open-minded manner, regarding her perspective. Being told that what I would love to be is “not a real person” and that my opinions are automatically disregarded really affected me [1] [4] [18]. Moreover, I am entirely unsure if I want to continue blogging about upcoming video games because I KNEW such mockery would happen to me eventually. At least I have never named and shamed anyone for a measly reason in my blogs and I would not dare go as far as to make highly disproportionate and extreme comparisons, such as comparing the faults of Cyberpunk 2077 to Adolf Hitler back in late 2020 [20]. I have worked hard on my own independent gaming blog for four years…and this is the return I get [29]? Writing articles for my blog has helped me find a purpose and cope throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and it deeply saddens me how I would automatically be degraded and not taken seriously solely for one of my aspiring occupations.

I parodied “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore in my gaming blogs last year [22] [34] [35], yet I still got ridiculed for what I am notable for online this year. [Williams, 2021]

In conclusion, I am entirely unsure if I want to continue writing articles related to video games [5] [11] [25] [38]. It is absolutely infuriating and discouraging how gaming journalism is the easiest profession I can turn to, yet it is bombarded with ridicule and bitter generalisation due to mistakes that were made [8] [9] [10] [27] [39]. Nonetheless, I am still willing to take any constructive criticism on my gaming-related articles, whether it will be any inaccuracy, not enough research on a topic or a simple spelling error in terms of nouns within a fictional universe. I am grateful for those who have supported me throughout almost a lustrum of my passion for video game journalism [6] [7] [15] [19], which will, unfortunately, have to be hopefully temporarily paused. Furthermore, please do not go and verbally attack anyone for a negative opinion on the subject in general. I only wrote this short piece to express how hurt and discouraged I have been feeling without bashing anyone else’s thoughts. After all, I do not want to end up being that kind of person as I just want to keep evolving as another kind of person [38] [43] [44]. Until then, I shall choose creativity and kindness over vengeance as I will keep on following my passion for other forms of writing, such as spoofing songs [33] [40].

I can always stick to reviewing cartoons for my blogs in the meantime [43] [44]. Have a safe and festive Christmas break, fellow gamers. [40]

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Some Newer Horizons In Animal Crossing: Happy Home Paradise

Once again, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been a wonderful coping mechanism for many animal crossers during the next set of lockdowns in the coronavirus pandemic, along with its continuation after restrictions were concluded [34]. The same noble honour goes to the events of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp that occurred this year, much like its events throughout the last one [16]. I recall seeing a lot of potential in New Horizons when the first trailer for it was released back in mid-2019 [32] [33]. After starting on its initial release in March 2020, the experience gradually evolved with update after update throughout the seasons [25]. Not only will there soon be the last free content update for the game referred to as “Version 2.0” [15], but also a paid expansion which is exactly what it sounds like if you have ever played Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer [13] [17] [18] [22] [24]. These forthcoming surprises are sure to shine especially on the brand new OLED model of the Nintendo Switch when it comes to truly moving on from the terrors of 2020 [19] [21]. As much as I adore the adorable crossover between Hello Kitty and Pusheen [7] [8] [9] [10] [28], I am delighted to express my thoughts on the next chapter of the fourth generation of the Animal Crossing franchise.

Oh! And speaking of Pocket Camp, there will be a new event promoting the forthcoming paid DLC later this month. [2] 

Animal crossers, please rise for a newer horizon! [22]

But before some of us put the occupation of a vacation home designer on our video game-based CVs, let us see what Version 2.0 has to offer to keep the experience fresh. The rehash of the museum’s coffee shop with some new aspects, including a vintage telephone for compatibility with amiibo cards and figures to invite other characters to a coffee break and Harriet who will offer some new hairstyles at Harv’s Island will increase New Horizons’ faithfulness to the success of Let’s Go To The City [14] [15]. There is also a rehash of travelling with Kapp’n to Tortimer Island in New Leaf and Animal Island in Population Growing [5] [6] [15], which shows that an animal crosser can explore mysterious new islands in different climates and times of the day. More new features include:

•         Two new modes for taking photographs [15]
•         A group stretching activity [15]
•         Four different ordinances [15]
•         An even bigger storage capacity [15]

To top it all off deliciously, an animal crosser’s avatar will soon be skilled at cooking. These new features in the last big free content update of the base game will go so well with what the paid expansion will have to offer when it comes to spending the last two months of 2021 well [18].

More new features include a section of emotions to express, new exterior designs and lifestyle tips from the Island Life 101 app. How Version 2 has more to offer will be sure to further increase the game’s ambition for our dear animal crossers in the franchise’s fourth generation. [15]

Oh, and that is not all! The fifth series of Animal Crossing amiibo cards will be released on the same date [23]. Some of them include brand new characters who will appear in New Horizons Version 2.0 [3]. [23]

The premise of the paid DLC is basically a surprise sequel to Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, which was a spin-off of Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer for the Nintendo 3DS [13]. Wearing a new tropical island equivalent of the uniform from that spin-off, the player and their avatar will be in charge of designing a fantastic vacation home for villagers. For the best results, the theme of the dream home ought to suit the desires of the villager. For example, Doc would want to read books in a vibrant children’s library. The resort can be even more civilised with customisable facilitates, such as a school and a restaurant, just like in Happy Home Designer. I am aware that Happy Home Designer received criticism for its very little challenge and how slightly unrewarding the experience was at times [24], but I think that fact that Happy Home Paradise is a downloadable expansion for New Horizons instead of its own stand-alone spin-off will always allow an animal crosser to stride right back into the base game’s more progressive gameplay standards. Additionally, the results of working as a vacation home designer appear to be more rewarding as there is payment doing a great job.

Yes, I know that I am British and I am supposed to use British names for certain things, but there were missed opportunities to refer to The Sims 2: Apartment Life as “The Sims 2: Flat Life” and nickname Go Vacation “Go Holiday” just before their release dates in the United Kingdom [1] [7] [11] [12] [30]. [18]

I just wonder what personalities will the upcoming villagers have, including Sasha, Shino, Quinn and Petri [3]. I do not doubt that the themes of their dream homes may provide some hints on what they are. [18] 

Aside from how future content for New Horizons might as well be available in expansion packs [17] [18], the gameplay within the experience of building homes for villagers with different interests is nice and casual. There is a wide range of customisation when it comes to building the best vacation homes for many villagers, including:

•         Changing the perimeter of the room [18]
•         Changing the colour and brightness of lighting [18]
•         Using partition walls to divide space [18]
•         Altering the season and time of day outside [18]
•         Adding realistic sound effects [18]
•         Letting two clients share a vacation home [18]

As a part-time cleaner and volunteer at a charity shop, I think the option to polish furniture to maintain great conditions would make the experience more relatable to me. What makes Happy Home Paradise seem even more rewarding compared to Happy Home Designer is how the exclusive interior design techniques, including polishing furniture can be used to enhance the red-nosed ranger’s home in the base game [13] [18]. The way an animal crosser can invite a resident of the main island to the resort after he or she asks for a vacation home or remodel their standard homes further proves how the premise seems to work better as an expansion pack rather than a stand-alone spin-off.

It will be about time we can treat the loveable characters with notable occupations by giving them their own vacation homes with the help of any amiibo cards featuring them, including Isabelle and the twins. [18]

There will also be an application exclusively available after the installation of Happy Home Paradise. It is named “Happy Home Network” and it will provide access to images of vacation homes designed by you and other animal crossers worldwide. Another way to interpret modern technology in casual gaming. If there ought to be another expansion pack, I bet there would be another app with a different purpose. [18]

How the amount of ambition put into Animal Crossing: New Horizons will further increase is unmistakable. Its final free content update, a downloadable expansion pack and some new amiibo cards will be available this November after pre-ordering begins just before Halloween [15] [18]. Apart from how impressed I am with what an expansion pack has to offer, I am up for seeing an official sequel to the anime film based on the franchise that was only released in Japan [26]. A sequel to it ought to be released worldwide, featuring notable aspects of New Horizons and available in several other language dubs besides Japanese [29]. It worked for Tomodachi Life, right [21] [30]? More gaming adventures after 2021 await. Who knows what the ninth generation of the Pokémon franchise will bring our Poké players in a new region? Could there be a spin-off of the Dance Dance Revolution franchise with a control panel for hands instead of feet that will be accessible for wheelchair users? As for the fourth generation of the Animal Crossing franchise, I would love to see a new wave of characters in either an underwater village or a heavenly village in the sky in another expansion pack for New Horizons. But until then. Happy paradise designing just after bonfire night [18]!

I believe that another expansion pack for New Horizons ought to introduce the appearances of Moppina, Vicious Vole Vinnie, Hayseed Hilda and the Legal Eagles [27]. [17]

But in the meantime, it will be a pleasure working with Lottie, Wardell and Niko after the special event in Pocket Camp before Halloween [2] [17] [18]. As Don Resetti would say, see ya [14]! [18]

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