Women shun Lara Croft

The firm says not enough women have come forward

The inventor of the Tomb Raider computer game is seeking more women to work as testers at its Derby headquarters.

Core Design is launching an Angel of Darkness version of its hit Lara Croft game, but so far no women have applied to work as testers for the project.

Company spokesman Gary Reading says he would love more women with computer skills to test the popular game.

"We really don't know why women are not coming forward, but there is a special type of logic to testing the game and women would be very strong at it," he said.

Very monotonous

Core Design, based in Derby's Pride Park, has only five women in its 85-strong workforce.

One of the company's chief testers, Richard Apperley, says: "When you are working hard, and have a lot of work to do looking for small faults .. it can become very monotonous."

A women's mind would bring a different angle to the game

Gary Reading Core Design PR director

The company is developing its newest version of the Tomb Raider series, which will be launched in the next few weeks.

Mr Reading said: "Men and women's brains work differently and we want every different angle covered.

"A women's mind would bring a different angle to the game."

The testers look for glitches in the game, such as visual effects that do not work or scenes where Lara walks through a wall instead of a door.

Mr Reading would not reveal the salary being offered, but said it would depend on experience and other factors.

He said a women tester would be paid the same as a man with the same abilities and experience.