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[sonycowboy]

Tomb Raider, along with King Kong were probably the most pleasant surprises at E3 this year (from current gen playable games)

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=10182

Tomb Raider and Hitman delayed as SCi continues to restructure Eidos

Rob Fahey 17:02 18/07/2005

Key titles drop back to next year as renovation of top UK publisher continues

Tomb Raider: Legend and Hitman: Blood Money have both slipped to early 2006, SCi Entertainment Group has confirmed, with the titles being pushed back in order to "maximise their hit potential".

The slippage was confirmed to UK trade magazine MCV by a company spokesperson, and is the first to be announced since SCi acquired Eidos in mid-May.

However, it won't come as much of a surprise to many, since SCi has made it clear from the outset of its buyout bid that it planned to give additional development time to certain key titles in order to ensure that their quality was kept high.

While Hitman remains with its original creators, the wholly owned IO Interactive, the Tomb Raider franchise was moved away from creators Core Design after the last game, the critically panned Angel of Darkness, and was handed over to US studio Crystal Dynamics.

Analysts have been largely positive about the prospects for SCi following the Eidos acquisition, with UK firm Clear Capital last week publishing a report that gave the merged company a strong thumbs up.

"With the acquisition of Eidos, SCi becomes a global player in video games publishing," the report noted. "SCi's strengths in efficiently managing the game development process and an efficient cost structure superimposed on Eidos' strong brand portfolio and global distribution network in an increasingly attractive market makes us believe this acquisition will succeed."

 

[TheJollyCorner]

oh shit... what the hell am I going to do without my new Tomb Raider in 2005??!>?!?

Seriously, the Hitman news is far more disappointing. My life has gone fairly smoothly since 1997... the last time I played and enjoyed a TR game (TR2).

 

[Pimpbaa]

Tomb Raider, along with King Kong were probably the most pleasant surprises at E3 this year (from current gen playable games)

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=10182

Bah, I was really looking forward to playing that new Tomb Raider this year. But I guess it's for the best if it means the game will be better.

 

[Funky Papa]

Those are not the only games delayed. EIDOS is going to have a hard year but maybe the quality will pay.

 

[Ranger X]

The more it's spread out, the more we always have a good game to buy. I don't mind that.

 

[sonycowboy]

The more it's spread out, the more we always have a good game to buy. I don't mind that.

But, but...

next spring might be even busier ( I can dream can't I??)

 

[Dalthien]

Seriously, the Hitman news is far more disappointing. My life has gone fairly smoothly since 1997... the last time I played and enjoyed a TR game (TR2).

Actually, I quite enjoyed Tomb Raider 4: The Last Revelation. And I really haven't found much to enjoy in any of the Hitman games yet. So I guess I'm more disappointed in the Tomb Raider news.

 

[btutterrow]

I have SUCH good memories of the first TR (and some mediocre ones of the rest) that I can't help but be excited from what I have seen of the new one. Here is hoping that they make a really funny action/adventure with great controls, a lot of exploration and a decent story.

 

[dark10x]

I don't think it is fair to base your opinions of this Tomb Raider on any of the past incarnations. The new game has very little to do with the previous tites (different developers, different engine, different controls, and a complete redesign of everything else). All it carries is the name...

Though, I really DID enjoyed AoD. It was quite flawed in a number of ways, but it was also quite compelling.

 

[open_mouth_]

But, but...

next spring might be even busier ( I can dream can't I??)

you always do, anyway

 

[TheJollyCorner]

I guess I was just disappointed once they took Tomb Raider out of the tombs. The thrill of exploring the caves, finding the ruins, outsmarting the ancient traps, shooting cave bears, climbing really high, finding a save spot, and then diving hundreds of feet to your death, attempting to land on some wolf far below.... good times.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

I am really looking forward to the new Hitman, the series is too awesome! Buy why do they keep delaying it?

 

[Prince of Space]

Didn't Eidos always say no TR:L until 2006?

 

[ArcadeStickMonk]

Balls.

I can have a lot of fun with a Hitman game.

 

[Agent Dormer]

I wanted Lara sooner, not later.

 

[KyotoMecca]

This news came out on Friday. Reported by MCV, picked up online first by Kikizo then Blues News and rest of web. GAF is getting slow these days ;-)

 

[sonycowboy]

This news came out on Friday. Reported by MCV, picked up online first by Kikizo then Blues News and rest of web. GAF is getting slow these days ;-)

On Friday's, especially during the summer, I check out realll early

 

[Funky Papa]

Hey Kyoto, do you know something about TR for the X360? They are tight lipped and with all the SCi thing going on I wouldn't be surprised if they axed it.

 

[Prine]

Dont care for Hitman, but teh Tomb Raider news is a little dissapointing.

 

[Barnimal]

ouch. i was definately looking forward to TR. especially on 360.

 

[Gribbix]

Didn't Eidos always say no TR:L until 2006?

That's what makes this a bit strange. All Eidos ever said regarding a release date for Tomb Raider was that they were shooting for a Winter release, which could mean anywhere from December 2005-February 2006 (maybe a bit into March). Assuming it's released in January or February, it techincally isn't delayed.

 

[sangreal]

(maybe a bit into March)

Winter continues through most of March (ending on March 20-21).

 

[ToastyFrog]

Eidos reps were saying that they wanted a fall 2005 release for Tomb Raider but would be willing to delay it if necessary to make it not suck. Nice to see them sticking for their word. Eidos really does seem determined to turn the series around again.

 

[Gribbix]

Hey Kyoto, do you know something about TR for the X360? They are tight lipped and with all the SCi thing going on I wouldn't be surprised if they axed it.

I'm certain that an X360 version in development. The way various Crystal Dynamics employees skirt around the issue seems to suggest that it's in development but they just can't say anything. In a recent issue of Play, they interviewed Morgan Gray (producer) and Toby Gard seperately. When asked about an X360 version, both of them said they couldn't talk about it yet. Same thing happened when Gamespot asked Riley Cooper (lead designer) if there would be vehicles. He said he couldn't talk about it even though Lara riding around on a motorcycle is featured prominently in one of the trailer.

 

[Zeo]

The new Tomb Raider is going to be good.

Maybe awesome.

Someone save me saying that so you can throw it in my face if I end up being wrong.

 

[_Angelus_]

At this point they should take the time they need to get Ms. Croft back up and kicking ass again. It could be the difference between an ok game and a pretty damn good one,so its worth the wait.

 

[whytemyke]

Bah, I was really looking forward to playing that new Tomb Raider this year. But I guess it's for the best if it means the game will be better.

It won't be better though. It's gonna be the same old tripe that Angel of Darkness was, and it's already heading in that direction with this "game delayed til next year" stunt that AoD was so big on.

People really need to give up on this Tomb Raider thing. Let it fuckin' die, already.

 

[_Angelus_]

Let people decide for themselves.

 

[ToyMachine228]

Eidos also delayed 25 To Life earlier this year in order to make it part of the holiday gaming rush. Don't know if that will help it, but I'm interested in the game.

 

[Pimpbaa]

It won't be better though. It's gonna be the same old tripe that Angel of Darkness was, and it's already heading in that direction with this "game delayed til next year" stunt that AoD was so big on.

People really need to give up on this Tomb Raider thing. Let it fuckin' die, already.

It's already been known that the game is being done by a completely different developer and feature different gameplay yet people are hating on it regardless.

 

[Striek]

Tomb Raider, along with King Kong were probably the most pleasant surprises at E3 this year (from current gen playable games)

Tomb Raider was a pleasant surprise? Thats what they said about the last one...and we know how that turned out.

I was looking forward to Hitman, current gen gaming is going to rock 2006 still, yay

 

[Mrbob]

It won't be better though. It's gonna be the same old tripe that Angel of Darkness was, and it's already heading in that direction with this "game delayed til next year" stunt that AoD was so big on.

People really need to give up on this Tomb Raider thing. Let it fuckin' die, already.

People said the RE was through before RE4. Or Mortal Kombat befor the current gen versions came out. I, for one, believe the new Tomb Raider is going to be a awesome game. There is a ton of positive buzz already. My main worry is what happens with Tomb Raider next. Is Eidos going to let the game quality slip again?

 

[Pimpbaa]

Tomb Raider was a pleasant surprise? Thats what they said about the last one...and we know how that turned out.

Who said the previous was a pleasant surprise? We knew how it was going to turn out because it was the same developers for every game previous to that, so there was no surprise that last one turned out crap.

 

[VictimOfGrief]

Guess I have to listen to Blink182 until mid-2006 before I can take it off shuffle and repeat.