Tomb Raider Developer Apologizes For Rape Statement: "We Were Not Clear"

Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics have released an apologetic statement about a scene in the title's trailer that gamers found offensive. The whole ordeal spiraled out of control thanks to Tomb Raider Executive Producer, Ron Rosenberg, who in an interview with Kotaku stated that scavengers will try to rape Lara. However, the alleged attempted rape scene, according to Crystal Dynamics studio head Darrell Gallagher, was merely a scene with a "threatening undertone," and doesn't have any rape connotation.

• VIDEO: Official E3 Preview of Tomb Raider

Here's what Gallagher had to say on the official Tomb Raider website.

“We had a great E3 with Tomb Raider and received a fantastic public and press response, with the game picking up numerous game of the show awards based on the new direction taken with the franchise. Unfortunately we were not clear in a recent E3 press interview and things have been misunderstood. Before this gets out of hand, let me explain,” he said.

For the rest of the statement, check after the break.

“In making this Tomb Raider origins story our aim was to take Lara Croft on an exploration of what makes her the character she embodies in late Tomb Raider games. One of the character defining moments for Lara in the game, which has incorrectly been referred to as an ‘attempted rape’ scene is the content we showed at this year’s E3 and which over a million people have now seen in our recent trailer entitled ‘Crossroads’.

• VIDEO: Tomb Raider E3 Gameplay Demo

“This is where Lara is forced to kill another human for the first time. In this particular section, while there is a threatening undertone in the sequence and surrounding drama, it never goes any further than the scenes that we have already shown publicly. Sexual assault of any kind is categorically not a theme that we cover in this game.”

"We take great care and pride in our work and are focused on creating a release that will deliver meaningful storytelling, drama, and exciting gameplay. We're sorry this has not been better explained, we'll certainly be more careful with what is said in the future."

And there you have it. Do you think that this apology is acceptable or do you think that the studio shouldn't have to apologize for their vision? Let us know in the comments section.