It started with terrible tragedy unfolding right on my doorstep. I live next to Manchester arena and heard the explosion and everything that happened afterwards. After initial shock and three hours of sleep I woke up to a number of requests from Russian state TV channels asking whether I will be up to go live and talk about Manchester.

It was rather surreal experience as Russian television is very biased and tend to focus on spreading hatred. It is a bit like Fox News, probably even worse to be fair. I believe I managed to portray Manchester as a city that comes together in this tragedy.

[See image gallery at www.tomb-of-ash.com] On Wednesday though, things started brightening up! I went to the airport to pick up my friends from Netherlands, Germany and the USA. They were first to arrive for my birthday weekend.

We had tons of fun touring Manchester and Trafford Centre:

On Friday Peter Connelly, the composer for Tomb Raider 4-6, came down for a day with us as well.

[See image gallery at www.tomb-of-ash.com] Unfortunately, Murti Schofield, the writer for Tomb Raider – The Angel of Darkness, was unwell this week so he could not come but he did send me this awesome card:

And so, Saturday. More friends arrived from all over the UK. We spent whole day chatting, playing LOADS of games and eating lots of takeaway food.

[See image gallery at www.tomb-of-ash.com] On Sunday, we went to the Arcade Club, two floors of retro gaming awesomeness. It was actually my first experience playing DDR.

[See image gallery at www.tomb-of-ash.com] I feel very privileged and lucky to have friends who travelled across the country and world to see me and to have people messaging, posting, tweeting their birthday wishes at me all day long.

Thank you guys, I honestly had the best birthday ever!

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These are very very old, about 8-10 years,

I remember I made these to post them on my friend’s Myspace to congratulate them with their birthdays.

3DS Max

See more Renders 

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Yes, I used to “download” my Tomb Raider internet friends on
my birthday and other holidays but this time it was different. Not only because Tomb Raider has an anniversary this year as well but For four days
straight I had different friends coming and going to congratulate me and it was
certainly the best experience ever. People from London, Glasgow, Cardiff,
Manchester and Liverpool came over to my place to have lots of fun and drinks. We played board games and generally were having the best time ever. We even ditched going out as we had so much fun!

Why am I ever writing this post? Thing is, I already wrote
about how I managed to get out of an antisocial vacuum because of Tomb Raider
franchise and that birthday weekend was a pure example of that. Most of
teenagers and kids had huge birthday parties whilst I’d be lucky if I had more
than two people showing up so having all these friends travelling across the
country just to see me was certainly one of the most special moments I ever
had!

What made it extra special was waking up to many tweets and celebratory
Facebook messages/posts from people who were not able to come and congratulate
me in person; can’t wait to meet you all one day  

Unfortunately we don’t have a group pic with everyone who visited me that week but here’s us with Lady Scion, April from Classic Croft and Survivor Reborn admin team

Thank you everyone who came over to share the day and a
birthday cake with me and thank you everyone for your messages, you truly made my year <3

#croftclan

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Guys check out my birthday cake omg!

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A happy Birthday email from Crystal Dynamics

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tomb-of-ash:

My last birthday cake. inspired with one of my renders and @thatnorskchick

It’s my birthday soon so I may just get another Lara cake done 

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Happy Lara Day! I made this render about ten years ago in 3DS Max.

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My last birthday cake. inspired with one of my renders and @thatnorskchick

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