Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
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Feathers instead of scales: Why the dinosaurs look different in the new Tomb Raider remake
When Tomb Raider was released in 1996, the prehistoric enemies seemed out of place: angular polygon lizards, more fantasy than research. Later reissues also refined the technology in particular – but not the scientific image. The upcoming remake Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is now taking a different approach. The dinosaurs have feathers. And that’s less daring than it seems at first glance.
When games follow research
The change is not just a graphic trick. Over the past two decades, palaeontology has fundamentally expanded its understanding of theropods. A discovery made in 2007 was particularly influential: researchers discovered clear attachment points for feathers on the forearm bone of Velociraptor mongoliensis. These are structures that are now known to exist exclusively in birds. The conclusion: velociraptors were feathered. They probably used their plumage for insulation, camouflage or mate selection.
This knowledge is changing depictions, including in games. In the promotional material for the new remake, both velociraptors and Tyrannosaurus rex are at least partially feathered. This is a deliberate break with the image that has shaped pop culture for decades.
Farewell to the Jurassic Park dinosaur
Our collective image of dinosaurs is heavily influenced by Jurassic Park: large, scaly, reptilian. This iconic design was revolutionary for its time, but no longer corresponds to the current state of research. However, the fact that even a T-Rex now wears feather adornments in the game should be viewed with caution. While there is clear evidence for smaller theropods, the data on Tyrannosaurus is less clear-cut. A partial plumage is possible – but it is not certain.
Technology helps, science decides
Of course, modern games benefit from enormous advances in graphics. Detailed textures, realistic lighting and elaborate animations make credible creatures possible in the first place. But without the new scientific findings, developers would probably continue to portray dinosaurs as naked, scaly predators.
The fact that this has changed also shows how closely entertainment and research are intertwined today. Games respond more quickly to new studies – and in turn help to correct outdated ideas.
Unusual, but plausible
Feathered dinosaurs still seem strange to many people. But when you consider that today’s birds are direct descendants of feathered theropods, it suddenly makes sense. From an evolutionary perspective, the sparrow on the balcony and the chicken in the coop are the last living dinosaurs.
Perhaps this even explains why virtual chickens in video games are often surprisingly aggressive. There is still a little bit of prehistory left in them.
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