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Eidos Parent in Takeover Talks?

Rob Crossley's picture

By Rob Crossley

December 1, 2008

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Eidos owner SCi is once again subject of takeover speculation, as a national UK newspaper is suggesting that the company is in talks regarding a possible acquisition from EA or Ubisoft.

An anonymous source, reportedly close to the matter, has told The Daily Mail that discussions of this takeover are at an “early stage” and that SCi has been approached by two separate publishers in a matter of weeks. The Daily Mail then suggested that it is Electronic Arts and Ubisoft who are ready to launch a takeover offer.

The rumors round off a terrible year for SCi. Back in September the company posted a £99m loss in its financial results, and the company has been linked with takeover offers since the beginning of the year. In February the company decided to shed 25% of its workforce and axe 14 projects. Following a rejection of a takeover offer from Atari parent company Infogrames, the company was then subject of a takeover offer from NBC Universal. Through this all the company’ share price has taken a 92 percent nosedive in twelve months, dropping the company’s value from over £600m to some £50m.

Reports also suggest Time Warner – which owns a 16 percent stake in SCi – may be a potential bidder for a majority share of the company.

Edge has contacted the parties involved for comment, none were available at the time of writing.

Farzlepot's picture
On December 2nd Farzlepot said:

Ah, Eidos, whatever happened to you? The darling of the British games industry, as a child you were sweet and innocent, filling our hearts with joy as you released games like Tomb Raider, Thief, Startopia, Hitman and more. Such gems were enough for us even to forgive you for Daikatana! Then you hit puberty, and became the nastiest bitch this side of Battersea Dogs Home. And now that you've matured into an adult, not only are you on the game, but you're selling yourself short - to the Devil himself, no less! And I bet you're on drugs too!

So sad to see such a promising young upstart slump into obscurity and mediocrity. But that's the way that gaming is going these days I guess.

bluemanrule's picture
On December 1st bluemanrule said:

I think that Ubisoft fits that brand. I thought that the original Tomb Raider was an Ubisoft product but my memory is vague. Nonetheless, I really think that Underworld was a solid game and that the studio should see great returns if it saves some of those marketing dollars during the slow, winter months of January and February.

ArronC07's picture
On December 1st ArronC07 said:

What a shame that the company can't stay in British hands.