The E3 2012 showing of Tomb Raider, as you may remember, turned quite a few heads – thanks to Lara’s desperate bid to fight off a gang that had taken her prisoner.

According to Crystal Dynamics, the new Tomb Raider is more about “real life”, rather than a story about a “buxom woman”. Speaking with Edge, CD’s art director Brian Horton said Lara’s latest outing is just as much about becoming a hero, than it is about a girl:

“The way we’re trying to treat Lara is not ‘oh, we’re making a game about a girl’. We’re making a game about someone who is inexperienced and who has to learn how to become a hero.”

Horton also spoke a little about the reaction to the new Lara; which has seen a shift away from objectifying her, to caring for her:

“So far the reaction has been very positive from the people who have seen the game, they’re starting to care for her and I don’t think they’re as eager to objectify her, in fact I think they want to protect her.”

Tomb Raider releases next year.