Zip
The character Zip made his first appearance in the last chapter of Tomb Raider Chronicles, as a technical assistant who helps Lara Croft obtain the Iris from Von Croy Industries by advising her via a headset she wears. In Tomb Raider Legend, the character was reintroduced in a similar role, this time for the entire game. The game also introduced another assistant for Lara, called Alister Fletcher. Together, Zip and Alister help Lara through the puzzles and traps by providing hints. They also help in the exposition of the story, by bringing Lara information or acting as sounding boards for her.
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Original Biography
Current Status : Alive
Born: New York, USA 1974
Even though Zip endured a tough street upbringing, he showed an unusually high level of intelligence in computing.
He became the youngest ever employee of Von Croy Industries, although his computing interest weren't always appreciated by the US government, mainly for hacking regularly into the FBI networks - just because he could! Unfortunately this pastime led to his being the youngest ever ex-employee of VCI.
Zip set up his own surveillance company and as a disgruntled ex-employee of VCI, jumped at the chance of working with Lara.
New Biography
He works as Lara's right hand man and tech expert, known to all only as Zip. It is unknown if that is his real name or not.
Always in contact with Lara via her headset, he is able to instantly provide her with a wealth of information by accessing various electronic reference resources, and other online knowledge databases. In his spare time, he tinkers around with electronics, developing new technology that might prove useful to Ms. Croft in the field, and even stalks ex-girlfriends as Lara pointed out. Though he prefers to call himself a "guardian angel".
In addition to being a savvy purveyor of all things "geeky", Zip is also a distinguished chef, and has worked in some of the best kitchens in northern Europe.
In Tomb Raider Underworld
Zip, together with Alister, was not very well received by a lot of fans when he appeared as Lara's assistant in Tomb Raider Legend. Mostly old fans of the series found that the two characters destroyed the sense of isolation and mystery that existed in the previous installments. In the game, Zip mistakes Lara's doppelganger for Lara herself, and attacks her with a handgun. Winston tries to stop him, but Lara manages to talk sense into him again, and they cooperate for the rest of the game.
Movie Depiction
Although Tomb Raider Legend was released after Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, a character akin to Zip appeared in the movies. Bryce, Lara Croft's personal tech expert, worked from a station in the back of the main hall in Croft Manor, but lived in a small caravan, in the manor grounds.
Gallery
Zip as seen in Tomb Raider Chronicles
Bryce from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
