A former Tomb Raider designer explains how the Area 51 UFO in Tomb Raider III was built to be much bigger inside than outside. The trick used a portal-like room system and became one of the game’s most memorable secrets.
01Summary
- 01"Tomb Raider" is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, and "Tomb Raider III" was released in 1998.
- 02Level designer Richard Morton said the Area 51 section was a team effort, with Neal Boyd, Andy Sandham and Tom Scutt also contributing.
- 03Morton said the UFO exterior was only three by three blocks, but the inside was built as a much larger space using a portal-style trick.
- 04The design was inspired by "The X-Files" and "Independence Day", which were popular around the time of TR3.
- 05Morton’s book, "The Making of Tomb Raider: 1997-2000", is available from 30 October.
02Why it matters
It shows how developers pushed PlayStation-era hardware and design ideas to create a memorable level that still stands out. The story also highlights the craft behind a famous game moment that many players may have forgotten.
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