Square-Enix Explains Eidos Interest; Time Warner throws in support

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As revealed last week, Japanese publisher Square-Enix is seeking to expand its westward focus with the acquisition of struggling European publisher, Eidos. And now, S-E has elaborated a bit on its intent.
According to Edge Online, the veteran RPG publisher cited major Eidos franchises and several talented studios under the Eidos umbrella that makes the Tomb Raider publisher attractive to Square-Enix. Obviously, Lara Croft's series, which has total sales exceeding 30 million, is on their list, as is the Hitman franchise (8.3 million), Deus Ex (2.4 million), and Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (1.7 million) Also, you will see by that developer map (follow the previous link) Eidos has intriguing teams assembled all around Europe, as well as in the U.S., China, and Canada, which makes Square-Enix even more interested in pursuing the takeover. Eidos has already voted unanimously to recommend this deal to the shareholders, and if they approve, the deal goes down in April. For old-school gamers, this may appear to be a strange acquisition on the surface, but you have to remember that Square-Enix has changed its focus in this generation. They're no longer the Squaresoft of the original PlayStation days ('sob'), and their goal - like many Japanese publishers - is to appeal to a wider worldwide audience.
Snagging Eidos would certainly be a step towards that goal, although we have no idea what type of products we might expect. What type of game might be produced with IO Interactive as the developer and Square-Enix as the publisher...?


Hollywood studio, and 20 per cent Eidos stakeholder, will vote in favour of publisher acquisition.
Warner has thrown its weight behind Square Enix's bid to buy UK publisher Eidos.The news comes following the announcement last week that Square had made an offer to buy the ailing Britsoft firm.Time Warner owns a 20 per cent stake in Eidos, and although it was often seen as one of the frontrunners alongside Squre to buy the publisher, it would have had to accept the bid or place a higher bid itself.

But this morning Warner and Square Enix announced that the former has 'irrevocably' agreed to support the Japanese publisher's plans to takeover Eidos.

MCV predicted last year that the firm was a surprise contender to buy Eidos - other spectators regularly put EA and Ubisot in the frame.

Square Enix, through its dealings with the management and now Time Warner, has the backing of shareholders responsible for 35 per cent of Eidos stock.

Source: PSX Extreme, MCV
 
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