> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://darylbaxter.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How I found Vicky Arnold - URL: https://darylbaxter.com/posts/vicky-arnold-tomb-raider-scriptwriter/ - Published: 2026-11-09T12:02:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-09T12:02:00.000Z - Description: And why I won't be reaching out again - Author: Daryl Baxter - Tags: Gaming, Book In 2024, I found Vicky Arnold. That name may mean nothing to some, but she is one of the most important people in the *Tomb Raider* story. Vicky led the charge in how Lara Croft spoke and behaved. Along with Susie Hamilton, Head of PR at Core Design, and others at the company, she shaped how the archaeologist became the confident, witty character many of us remember. But for years, no one knew where Vicky was. She was the scriptwriter for *Tomb Raider*, *Tomb Raider II*, and *Tomb Raider III*, a role unheard of in 1990s video games. I've always wanted to talk to her, even before I began work on the first '[*The Making of Tomb Raider*](https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Making-of-Tomb-Raider-Hardback/p/20165?ref=darylbaxter.com)' book - but I was hitting dead ends. Even while making the book in 2020, no one knew where she was. So for '[*The Making of Tomb Raider: 1997-2000*](https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Making-of-Tomb-Raider-1997-2000-Hardback/p/62302?ref=darylbaxter.com)', I made it a mission to find her. I wanted her insight into how she approached the story of the three games, and Lara herself. And while I did find her, sometimes you have to admit defeat. With Vicky, that's exactly what happened, but for the right reasons. --- ## A Quest ![](https://darylbaxter.com/content/images/2026/10/Vicky_Arnold---1997.jpg) The only photo I found of Vicky back in 2020 - taken from a magazine in 1997. I knew Vicky studied Film at Bournemouth University in the early 1990s, and I knew she left Core Design soon after *Tomb Raider III*'s release to move to Australia. Everyone at Core lost contact with her, but she returned from Australia in 2002\. And that's all I had. I found a photo of her in a magazine, as shown above, but I still couldn't find anyone on social media who would turn out to be her. When I thought I did, I'd message someone and end up talking to someone completely different. This happened a lot. It got to the point where I wondered if 'Vicky Arnold' was a pseudonym for someone else, but I was assured she was real. Eventually, I decided to start a mini-project to find Vicky in early 2024 whilst arranging and transcribing interviews for '*The Making of Tomb Raider: 1997-2000'*. What followed were library visits, census record research, and more. It led me to a town in the South of England, and eventually, Vicky. A few clear facts stood out to me, such as her date of birth lining up with what I found, along with when she moved back from Australia - all proving that it's her. Out of respect, I won't be saying exactly where she is, nor how I know with 100% certainty that it is her, but it led me to a house and to Vicky. With no way to reach her by email or social media, I put together a package with the first book, a few photos from previous Derby events, and a letter. I sent this off in August 2024\. Below is what I wrote in the letter: > Hello Vicky, > You don’t know me, but I’m a writer who published a book in 2021 called ‘The Making of Tomb Raider’. I’ve been spending the past 2 years trying to find you, and I’m hopeful that you *are* the Vicky Arnold I’ve been trying to reach! > I’m not sure if you know, but you are regarded as a bit of a legend around the world in creating a female protagonist that’s still going strong today. Thousands of fans out there have been wanting to thank you about the impact you gave them when you first created Lara Croft. Even myself — I have a career in writing about games and tech that originated with Tomb Raider 2 in 1997 when I got it as Christmas present that year. Her humour, the levels, the music — but her personality, that’s mainly down to you, and I can’t thank you enough. > The reason I’m reaching out, is because I’d love to talk to you about it all. Get your insight into creating Lara, your feelings about the series and working at Core, followed by what you’ve been up to since. I’ve recently been speaking to the team from the Core days, from Susie to Nathan and more for a follow-up to the book from 2021\. To have a sole chapter where you can just put the record straight and nothing more, would be amazing if possible. > My details are below. If it’s easier for a Zoom call or a face to face visit, whatever’s best for you, fantastic. But I do understand if you don’t want to reply. I’ve enclosed a copy of the book too. > But after all this time, I’d love to get your side of the story, just for once, then nothing more. > All the best, Daryl Baxter. Wasn't interested. I tried once more in October 2024 before [*TR28*](https://www.instagram.com/p/DBEtzNxibdp/?img%5Findex=1&ref=darylbaxter.com) *(the yearly Tomb Raider convention held in Derby)*, but the same result. At that point, I stopped out of respect. Sometimes, you just need to stop. Everyone has their own reasons for not talking about a certain topic, no matter how much their return would mean to fans. But it's at that point where you have to move on and let things be. Yes, I found Vicky Arnold. But I've also decided that she doesn't *want* to be found. At the very least, she's seen photos of some of the community at *TR27* from 2023, has possibly read the [book](https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Making-of-Tomb-Raider-Hardback/p/20165?ref=darylbaxter.com), and knows how much respect there is for her out there. And that's enough for me - and perhaps for every *Tomb Raider* fan, as well. ## Springboard: The stories behind the games, apps, and more. I'm Daryl. I write about games and technology - the people who make them and why preservation matters. Send me Springboard Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam, no slop, no AI. Leave whenever you like.