Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SCi pulls out of buyout talks, stock plunges following Tomb Raider delay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/sci-pulls-out-of-buyout-talks-stock-plunges-following-tomb-raid/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/sci-pulls-out-of-buyout-talks-stock-plunges-following-tomb-raid/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/sci-pulls-out-of-buyout-talks-stock-plunges-following-tomb-raid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Eidos owner SCi has been on the hunt for a potential suitor for some time, reportedly having batted its eyelashes at everyone from Midway and Vivendi to Time Warner and even some mysterious outfit in China, with none showing enough interest to sign their name across the dotted line. However, after having been given the cold shoulder by Ubisoft last October, the British firm has finally gotten the hint and moved on, stating that it had not received any formal offers within the requested timeframe.

What this means to you and I is that it may be some time before we see another major release branded with the Eidos logo, as SCi confirmed that it has pushed out the recently revealed Tomb Raider: Underworld until the fourth quarter of 2008, along with three other unspecified titles. The company also announced plans to bring Lara Croft's latest escapade to the DS, Wii and PS2, in addition to the previously known versions for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.

Way to be strong, SCi, but you might not want to look at your stock this morning. Following the firm's decision to go it alone, SCi's stock hit "rock bottom," and according to a new Bloomberg report, suffered its biggest plummet in more than 18 years, falling some 61 percent after SCi admitted that the aforementioned delays will likely result in an operating loss for 2008 and that the company may need to look to outside parties for the money to stay afloat. Of course, with SCi's share price now swimming with the fishes, we wouldn't be too surprised if another company now swooped in and bought up SCi and its properties at bargain basement prices. You hear that EA? Someone is singing your song.

JoystiqSCi pulls out of buyout talks, stock plunges following Tomb Raider delay originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitioncrystal dynamicscrystal-dynamicsCrystalDynamicsDSeidoslara croftlara-croftLaraCroftPCPS2PS3scistocktomb raidertomb-raiderTombRaiderWiiXbox-360Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The B[ack]log: Happy Anniversary, Miss Croft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-b-ack-log-happy-anniversary-miss-croft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-b-ack-log-happy-anniversary-miss-croft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-b-ack-log-happy-anniversary-miss-croft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Jacqueline Natla is quite obviously the villain in Tomb Raider: Anniversary. In the 1996 original, the only initial clues to her evil nature resided in a somewhat condescending tone of voice and a far too serious haircut. The opening moments of the Crystal Dynamics remake, however, show a more conniving woman with flowing blond hair, almost alien facial features and suspiciously long fingers. Still a bit of a condescending hag, though.

"My company has recently turned its focus on the study of ancient artifacts, and I am lead to believe that with the right incentive, you are just the woman to find them for me," she says, addressing one of gaming's most iconic characters, Lara Croft. "I'm afraid you've been mistaken," comes the decorous reply. "I only play for sport." Ah, but Natla's done her research. "Which is precisely why I've come to you Miss Croft. This is a game you've played before..."

Though trusting the words of a noticeably vile video game character is generally not advised, they're true in this case. Tomb Raider: Anniversary is indeed a game you've played before, at least if you had the good sense to play Tomb Raider at some point in your fulfilling life (replace "fulfilling" with "miserable" if you haven't). The reworked puzzles, contemporized controls and modern presentation may set Anniversary apart from the groundbreaking effort by Core Design, but beneath those layers lies the same game with the same ideals. Either Tomb Raider was nearly eleven years ahead of its time, or the games we play just haven't changed all that much.

Continue reading The B[ack]log: Happy Anniversary, Miss Croft

JoystiqThe B[ack]log: Happy Anniversary, Miss Croft originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-AdventurebacklogBuzz-MonkeyBuzz-Monkey-SoftwareCore-DesignCrystal DynamicsCrystal-DynamicsCrystalDynamicsEidosEidos-InteractiveLara CroftLaraCroftMicrosoftNixxes-SoftwarePCPlatformingPS2Robosoft-TechnologiesTomb-RaiderTomb-Raider-AnniversaryWiiXbox-360Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomb Raider Anniversary looking less chunky in new screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/tomb-raider-anniversary-looking-less-chunkier-in-new-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/tomb-raider-anniversary-looking-less-chunkier-in-new-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/tomb-raider-anniversary-looking-less-chunkier-in-new-screens/#commentsFiled under:


A fresh batch of screen shots from Lara Croft's upcoming Tomb Raider Anniversary go-round on the PSP shows a prettier and less "chunkier" Tomb Raider than Legend was, though at this point we're more curious as to how it plays. Last year's Tomb Raider Legend turned out pretty decent, but frame rate issues, chunky textures and clunky controls hurt the overall reception of the title. Feast your eyes on the recent released screenshots of the PSP-bound title and let us know if this reiteration is still on your radar. Despite the slight delay from its original June release, Tomb Raider Anniversary is still on the agenda for a late July arrival. Lets hope the extra time spent on its development results in a classier and smoother ride.

JoystiqTomb Raider Anniversary looking less chunky in new screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycrystal dynamicsCrystalDynamicseidoslara croftLaraCroftlegendtomb raider anniversaryTombRaiderAnniversaryTue, 03 Jul 2007 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Tomb Raider: Anniversary making its way to PS3?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/rumor-tomb-raider-anniversary-making-its-way-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/rumor-tomb-raider-anniversary-making-its-way-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/rumor-tomb-raider-anniversary-making-its-way-to-ps3/#commentsFiled under:

The Xbox 360 is receiving their Tomb Raider: Anniversary fix in the form of episodic content over Xbox Live, however it's initially limited only to those that own the last next-gen outing, Tomb Raider: Legend. While it would seem trite of Eidos to snub Sony by not releasing any similar content for the PlayStation Network, they do have plans to release a retail version of all episodic content on one disc. PSX Extreme says there is reason to believe this retail version will hit PS3 through the magical re-engineering of porting the Xbox 360 code.

We aren't holding our breath on this one. Knowing how most devs feel about the port process leave us more than a bit skeptical, especially considering the fact that Tomb Raider: Anniversary is more or less just a new map on top of the already-built game engine of Tomb Raider: Legend. Porting it to PS3 would more than likely take a larger team of devs to complete than Eidos is willing to fund. But hey, we're wishful thinkers. We sincerely hope that if this slim rumor holds any weight, the port team will be diligent and give PS3 owners the chance to experience the new Tomb Raider: Anniversary content in all its PS3 splendor.

JoystiqRumor: Tomb Raider: Anniversary making its way to PS3? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those longing to don a pair of unreasonably tight pants, shoot up ancestral tombs and mow down innocent bears (without getting arrested) would be wise to circle the date of June 5th, 2007 on their official Rhona Mitra calendars. This day marks the release of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary, a Crystal Dynamics remake of the adventure that put the grave-robbing heroine on the map, the coffee mug, the magazine cover and the unfortunate t-shirt which proclaimed, "I raided Lara's tomb."

Hearkening to a time (1996!) when Tomb Raider regularly induced drool as opposed to debilitating nausea, Anniversary sees reworked puzzles, improved controls and enhanced graphics injected into one of the greatest games of all time. Play it on your PS2, PC or PSP while you wait for a sequel to last year's surprisingly superb Tomb Raider: Legend to arrive -- and don't forget to do a graceful swan dive straight into a boulder. That's always good for a laugh.

JoystiqTomb Raider: Anniversary set for June 5th (don't forget!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-AdventureAngelina JolieAngelinaJolieCrystal DynamicsCrystal-DynamicsCrystalDynamicsEidosEidos-InteractiveLara CroftLaraCroftNixxes-SoftwarePCPlatformingPS2PSPTomb RaiderTomb-RaiderTomb-Raider-AnniversaryWed, 25 Apr 2007 16:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Unearthed: Neversoft's lost Ghost Rider game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/29/unearthed-neversofts-lost-ghost-rider-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/29/unearthed-neversofts-lost-ghost-rider-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/29/unearthed-neversofts-lost-ghost-rider-game/#commentsFiled under:

Long before they dominated the world with the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series and even before they proved that games based on comic books didn't have to suck something awful with Spider-Man, Neversoft toiled away at an adaptation of Ghost Rider.

While the game never saw release, much less got into its first, legitimate step in development, Playstation Museum has received an ancient demo of the game. The results? A shame to behold.

While 2K Game's Ghost Rider movie tie-in effort looks to be a God of War clone, Neversoft's take was a 2-D platformer in the vein of Castlevania. Presumably canned for being so, would-be publisher Crystal Dynamics passed it up for not sporting that extra third dimension. Judging from the recorded footage (embedded after the break), it only needed more in the way of time than anything else.

Continue reading Unearthed: Neversoft's lost Ghost Rider game

JoystiqUnearthed: Neversoft's lost Ghost Rider game originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Jan 2007 06:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ever since the release of Tomb Raider Legends, Lara Croft has redeemed herself and kept the franchise alive. Since her last iteration was so well-received (selling nearly 3 million copies in a year), Eidos has decided to bring the voluptuous lady to the Playstation 3. Said Chief Executive Jane Cavanagh, "Our 2008 products will include new versions of Tomb Raider (including a PS3 version) and many of our other key franchises. We also plan new franchises, including completely new products from both Crystal Dynamics (developers of Tomb Raider) and Io Interactive (developers of Hitman and Kane & Lynch)." This begs the question, should Nariko (of Heavenly Sword) and Lara get into a Super Smash Sisters: Brawl contest, who do you think would win?

JoystiqRaid tombs with Lara on the PS3! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Crystal DynamicsCrystalDynamicsEidosLara CroftLaraCroftPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyTomb RaiderTombRaiderThu, 28 Sep 2006 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tomb Raider 10th Anniversary labyrinth [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/31/the-tomb-raider-10th-anniversary-labyrinth/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/31/the-tomb-raider-10th-anniversary-labyrinth/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/31/the-tomb-raider-10th-anniversary-labyrinth/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Curmudgeon Gamer gets curmudgeonly about the nebulous state of the Tomb Raider 10th Anniversary Edition PSP release. Don't know what we're talking about? Head on over and read the scandalous, hyperlink-encrusted tale of dual developers working clandestinely on separate versions of the same game, and the evil publisher who pulled the plug ... but on which one? After much compiling, Curmudgeon Gamer's jvm peels the gum from his shoes, removes his deerstalker cap, and lights up his trusty pipe, before breaking down the whole tawdry affair:

"For reasons unknown, Core and Crystal Dynamics were working independently on the same 10th anniversary game. Perhaps Core had been given a green light to try and after the SCi/Eidos merger, no one remembered that detail. Meanwhile, Crystal Dynamics successfully launched Tomb Raider: Legend and was considered by the management, especially in North America, to be the obvious team for the new game."

We've embedded the video for Core's version after the break. If anyone can track down the Crystal Dynamics video, we'll post that too and we can tear ourselves apart arguing over which one would have -- undoubtedly -- been the better game.

[Update: Curmudgeon Gamer has updated their analysis writing, "According to the SCi/Eidos press release verifying that Crystal Dynamics would produce the game, it will be published not just for the PlayStation Portable but also for Windows and the PlayStation 2. The current Tomb Raider: Legend engine supports all three of these. That changes my reading of the situation."]

Continue reading The Tomb Raider 10th Anniversary labyrinth [update 1]

JoystiqThe Tomb Raider 10th Anniversary labyrinth [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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