DigitalBattle.com

Concept art of new Tomb Raider game leaks out

What you see above is a supposedly leaked concept art image of a new Tomb Raider game that is in the works. Furthermore, the image was accompained by a few details of the game.

Reportedly, the next Tomb Raider game will feature open-world gameplay with a reworked combat system. And, a hint at the game’s plot lets us know that it will be an origin story of Lara Croft showcasing how she came to be.

I don’t know about you guys, but the image art shows a close resemblance to that of what would be featured in a Final Fantasy game. It would make sense considering Tomb Raider’s developer, Eidos, was bought out by Final Fantasy’s Square Enix.

Read (Joystiq)

Square Enix and Eidos working on something together

This was probably expected but is still news anyways — Back in April Square Enix announced that it had effectively taken over Eidos but ever since we haven’t heard much out of the two companies.

Well, Yoichi Wada, Square Enix’s CEO, was recently quoted to say in an interview with Gamasutra that while it was possible that they would be working on Eidos with an existing IP “but what’s more important is that the two companies, for example, are going to be creating a new IP together.”

So, the guys behind the Final Fantasy series will be collaborating with the guys behind the Tomb Raider series for an all new IP. No way of telling what’s in store for us but let’s hope its good, Mr. Wada.

New Hitman game in development

In an interview with GamingIndians, Eidos Life President Ian Livingstone revealed the news that several new sequels are in development.

Among them, a new Hitman game, which is in development at Danish studio IO Interactive (the original creators and developers of the series), and he also revealed that a new Tomb Raider and Kane & Lynch sequels were in development. Livingstone declined to give details on the new games, but we can expect much more at E3 next month, which is shaping up to be one of the best in years.

Eidos appoints new ‘life president’

Let’s see, we’ve heard of the titles President, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder but Life President? Never. That’s why its so peculiar that Edios recently named Ian Livingstone as the companies new Life President.

GI.biz is reporting that his duties include “overseeing franchises such as Tomb Raider and Hitman, as well as acting as a spokesperson for the Eidos group” and that’s all we have to go by.

Now I wonder, if Square Enix hadn’t taken over Eidos, would this title have come to existence? Hell, it almost seems like a translation error. Oh well, congrats Mr. Livingstone.

Court gives Square Enix the go ahead to buy Eidos

Square Enix’s takeover of Eidos Interactive has been an ongoing effort since last year when the deal was originally penned.

Well, Gamasutra is reporting that a court has finally made the take over official giving Square Enix control of valuable Eidos game franchises like Tomb Raider and Deus Ex.

So now that Square Enix’s $117 million buyout has been made official, what’s next? Are we going to see Laura Croft make a cameo in an upcoming Final Fantasy game? Let’s hope not!

Steam offers Tomb Raider: Anniversary for 5 bucks

If you’ve been feeling the need to dust off your old Tomb Raider discs and take Laura Croft for a spin, check out this deal.

Steam has recently announced that they are offering the 1996 Tomb Raider remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary for just $4.99 netting you a 75% savings, or $15. But be aware, it is this weekend only!

Crystal Dynamic’s Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a remake of the original Tomb Raider utilizing a newer, updated version of the Legend game engine. In a nut shell? Same gameplay, better graphics.

Read (Steam)

Crystal Dynamics lays off 30 employees

The developer of the Tomb Raider series, Crystal Dynamics, has layed off thirty of its employees. When asked, Eidos said that they had to let go of their staff because they have “increased focus” on the Tomb Raider Franchise.

This dissapointing news comes after Eidos announced Tomb Raider: Underworld had sold 1.5 million copies since its launch; these numbers were under the publisher’s expectations. As a result, stocks have gone down considerably.

Eidos is still confident that the rest of the year won’t be as bad. They said that their comic book title, Batman Arkham Asylum, will be a smash in sales.

Read (Joystiq)