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Lara's Underworld adventure goes budget in the UK

by Richard Mitchell { May 22nd 2009 at 4:15PM }

According to Tomb Raider Chronicles, Eidos has announced that Tomb Raider Underworld has become part of the Xbox 360 Classics range as well as PS3 Platinum Hits in the UK. The upshot here is that both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions should now be available for a mere £19.99. We've contacted Eidos to see if the new price applies to all PAL regions and if North America will see any budget love.

Considering Eidos was disappointed in the game's sales in North America and the game enjoyed relative success in the UK, we're not holding our breath.

Poison Ivy, Batman's green-thumbed nemesis, revealed

by Xav de Matos { May 21st 2009 at 6:30PM }

It ain't Uma Thurman (thank goodness), but Batman's plant-loving adversary, Poison Ivy, has been revealed as a baddie in the upcoming action title, Batman: Arkham Asylum. A new trailer (posted after the break) for Rocksteady and Eidos' impressive Arkham features the green thumb merging with a giant piranha plant with the intention of killing The Batman. Kill Batman, huh? Why hasn't anyone ever thought of that before?

Continued →

Report: The Last Remnant sold better in the West, poorly in general

by Ben Gilbert { May 20th 2009 at 2:50PM }

It seems as though Square Enix's attempt to reach out to Western gamers with The Last Remnant has done little in the way of olive branch extension, with the title selling 220,000 units since its release last year. According to Siliconera (and corroborated with info from VGChartz.com), the game sold even worse in Japan, where 360 saturation is notably low, moving only 160,000 units, making the game a relative success with Western audiences.

That being said, combined worldwide sales for the game totaled just over half of a million units, with 560,000 selling altogether (more than 400k of which were sold in North America and Europe). Hopefully the acquisition of Eidos will do more for the Japanese company in the west than The Last Remnant did.

A younger Lara will star in next Tomb Raider film

by Richard Mitchell { May 19th 2009 at 3:40PM }

Speaking to About.com, Terminator Salvation producer (for the film, not the game) Dan Lin stated that the next Tomb Raider film will feature a younger Lara Croft. Lin spoke of the "rebooting" of the franchise -- revealed earlier this year -- saying, "It's a great origin story that we're going to tell." Lin added that the film would be "very character-oriented" and that it would be "more realistic" than previous films in the series. While Lin did not reveal any information on who would be playing Lady Croft, he did note that it would be a younger Lara, so don't count on Angelina Jolie making a third appearance.

Furthermore, Lin said that the films and games have become "too action-oriented," while he would rather see "action, but with character." We have to agree with Lin, action has never been Lara's strong suit, as combat is typically the worst aspect of any Tomb Raider games. Still, we suppose a movie about platforming might get a little boring.

[Via Kotaku]

Age of Conan survives one year, gains unspecified growth

by Richard Mitchell { May 18th 2009 at 10:08PM }

FunCom has announced that Age of Conan is officially celebrating its first anniversary this week, adding that the company has seen a "significant" increase in the number of players per month. The company also noted that activity levels in the game have increased "significantly." Just how significant is all of this significance? That's anybody's guess, as Funcom hasn't provided any hard numbers.

Considering that the Age of Conan log recounts a litany of woe and despair, we suppose any player increases would be good news which, in and of itself, would be significant for the beleaguered MMO. In celebration of the first anniversary of the game, players will be treated to in-game fireworks and the chance to win prizes. Also, Funcom will soon be adding the ability to buy additional character slots and, as a bonus anniversary gift, will provide veteran players that have subscribed to the MMO for at least six months with a new character slot for free. Everyone else gets to keep playing World of Warcraft.

You must CQC this new Batman: Arkham Asylum footage

by Randy Nelson { May 15th 2009 at 4:35PM }

What do you do when the most promising Batman game in, oh, years gets delayed to "the end of summer?" You get angry. Well, that and you watch every bit of gameplay footage you can leading up to when it's finally in stores ... and hopefully doesn't disappoint.

It's with the intent of helping you through this time of Batman: Arkham Asylum-focused longing that we bring you what you need: video of the Dark Knight smashing goons' faces with man's earliest weapons, his fists and feet. Walking you through the on-screen beatings is Shefton Hill, designer of the game and a rather pleasant-sounding fellow given how dark and violent what he's making is. It's almost like getting a hands-on demonstration, only without ... your hands ... on -- oh, who are we kidding? Eidos, can we at least have a demo?

Battlestations: Pacific launch trailer launches war over the Pacific

by Ben Gilbert { May 11th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Just one day from the release of Battlestations: Pacific, the game's publisher Eidos has released the sea battle-infused launch trailer. We're not sure how much of the trailer is actual gameplay versus the game playing out, but rest assured you can find out for yourself by checking out the demo on Xbox Live and PC.

You'll forgive us if we don't express heady excitement for the game as, like Treyarch's Noah Heller, we're just kinda done with World War II titles. That being said, for those of you looking to retell history on the Eastern stage, Battlestations: Pacific may very well be right for you. We'll be over here thinking about Modern Warfare 2 and sneaking around New Mombassa in the future. Can you really blame us?

Gallery: Battlestations: Pacific

Livingstone: Kane & Lynch 2 aimed for Sept., more Hitman, Tomb Raider en route

by Ben Gilbert { May 11th 2009 at 11:00AM }

In Mumbai for the Golden Cursor Animation Awards, recently appointed Eidos "life president" Ian Livingstone sat down with the folks at GamingIndians and spilled a full bag of beans. Unsurprisingly, he says the Square Enix acquisition was "a great deal in many ways" and that the various Eidos development studios would remain largely independent. "It's great news for the brand and for the people," he says.

And also, apparently, great for sequels, as Livingstone confirms work on the next Hitman game, a sequel to Kane & Lynch currently targeted for a September release date and -- big shock! -- a re-imagining of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider series. "The next Tomb Raider, I think, will surprise a lot of people and reinvigorate the franchise," Livingstone notes, stressing the relevance of game characters in mainstream media these days. Incidentally, he more than intimates that Eidos Montreal is working on Thief 4, though now we know that to be a fact -- the "worst kept secret in the industry," in fact.

Eidos Montreal confirms Thief 4, 'worst kept secret' in industry

by Christopher Grant { May 11th 2009 at 9:48AM }

It's May 11th. You know what that means! Right: It's the 60th anniversary of the name "Thailand" which replaced the country's previous name, "Siam" in 1949.

... Also, Eidos Montreal confirmed its second project today, just like it promised last week. Up next from the studio currently cranking on Deus Ex 3? Thief 4, of course. And no, we're not prescient. Eidos Montreal even calls the announcement "the worst kept secret in the industry."

Details on the sneak-em-up sequel are scarce, with www.thief4.com dishing out ... well, another teaser site. No platforms. No release window. Nada. What you do get: A "general discussion" forum, where you can advise Eidos Montreal on the development of Thief 4. Here, we'll get you started: "HEY EIDOS, DON'T MESS UP THIEF, OKAY?"

We'll update as we learn more.

Eidos Montreal to announce second project on May 11 (probably Thief)

by Griffin McElroy { May 4th 2009 at 2:01PM }

Fresh-faced development studio Eidos Montreal is currently hard at work on its inaugural project, Deus Ex 3, but that doesn't mean it's incapable of multitasking -- according to an ad in the upcoming issue of Edge Magazine, the studio is set to reveal its second project on May 11, which just happens to be the day before GDC Canada kicks off. The project's identity is difficult to ... well, it's unclear -- yeah, it's Thief. It's going to be a Thief game, guys.

The ad does more than hint at the identity of the title -- it references accolades from GameSpy and Game Spot which have been laid upon the Thief franchise, and even seems to feature the Thief logo, somewhat obfuscated by a sticker mentioning the May 11 reveal. Unless we're being fleeced with unprecedented gusto, you can expect to hear more about Eidos Montreal's kleptomaniacal second project in exactly one week.

[Via VG247]

Batman: Arkham Asylum delayed until 'summer 2009'

by Jason Dobson { May 1st 2009 at 4:05PM }

Like a bat signal against a cloudy Gotham skyline, Eidos and Warner Bros. have sent official word to Joystiq regarding the alleged delay of Batman: Arkham Asylum: It appears we'll be waiting a little while longer for the Dark Knight to rescue us from the summer release schedule.

While the Bat's' upcoming jaunt through the famed comic prison won't take quite as long to get to store shelves as previously rumored, the game is likely to miss its already announced June 23 release. According to an official statement, Batman: Arkham Asylum will ship sometime during the noticeably vague "summer 2009" window. No reason was given for the delay, with parties saying only that the extra time will let devs ensure that the game "is of the highest quality for gamers." We're following up for some more details and will update if we hear anything.

Update: Joystiq has received a slightly more specific ship date for the game, with a representative saying that Batman: Arkham Asylum will ship sometime at the "end of summer."

[Image]

Rumor: Batman: Arkham Asylum delayed until holidays

by Jason Dobson { May 1st 2009 at 8:30AM }

It may take a bit longer for the Caped Crusader to round up his rogues gallery in Batman: Arkham Asylum, as "sources close to the game" tell Game Informer the title has been pushed back from its expected June release until sometime later this year.

Despite impressing us earlier this year, the unspecified sources tell Game Informer than the game will now ship in 2009's fourth quarter. If true, and while disappointing, the delay will give us more time to work on work on our Batarang hurling technique. Neither Eidos nor Warner Bros. have offered a comment on the cause behind the delay, though we have reached out to both ourselves for more.

[Thanks, Christian]

The Dark Knight takes out the trash in Batman: Arkham Asylum clip

by David Hinkle { Apr 30th 2009 at 8:30PM }

In a new clip for Eidos's best effort yet, we get a glimpse at some of the stylish ways The Bats can dispatch his many foes. Whether it's a clothesline, or a full-on bodyslam, the world's greatest detective knows how to handle a crowd (and look while doing it!). Generic thugs, your days are numbered!

Batman: Arkham Asylum fights its way onto PS3, Xbox 360, and PC June 23.

Gallery: Batman: Arkham Asylum

Livingstone becomes 'life president' of Eidos

by Alexander Sliwinski { Apr 29th 2009 at 5:01PM }

Longtime Eidos executive Ian Livingstone has been promoted to life president of ... wait, he's the what? Livingstone now holds the title of "life president," following Square Enix's takeover of the troubled British publisher. The executive will continue working in the creative process and "act as a spokesperson for the Eidos group," reports GI.biz.

Livingstone will also continue working with the British government to push forward tax credits and the "skills agenda."

We Googled "life president" because we figured this was some business term we'd just never heard of. Nope, it appears totally made up. The closest thing we could find was the term "President for Life," a title used by dictators -- which is not what's going on with Livingstone ... we think.

Just to make sure Wikipedia and Google hadn't missed anything in their combined infinite wisdom, we decided to contact several major academic business institutions. Harvard and Wharton have yet to return our phone calls; however, Stanford's media relations offered, "I can't think of any academic with serious scholarship wanting to weigh in on this."

Square Enix considering further acquisitions

by David Hinkle { Apr 28th 2009 at 10:30PM }

Square Enix has one goal: Be a more global company. After recently acquiring Eidos (and leaving its identity intact), Square Enix has exhibited an appetite that's larger than we could have imagined. President Yoichi Wada told the Financial Times that the Eidos purchase really gave Square Enix "a good platform from which to expand," possibly opening the way to another acquisition.

Wada explained the necessity for more global expansion as one dictated by the Japanese market. He described Japan as a "closed environment," and with no fresh blood or ideas coming in, Square Enix is forced to look outward. And then there's the US market weighing in, which Wada said has seen strong growth over the years and become the biggest market for games, despite being behind Japan for many years.

[Via Edge]

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