Economy and videogames

[nothing.sound]

http://finance.sympatico.msn.ca/inve...entid=16695630

[SoCalTiger]

Here is the text so people don't have to click the link:

Video game heroine Lara Croft battles economic crisis
Jane Wardell, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
January 09, 2009
LONDON - British games publisher Eidos, the maker of the "Tomb Raider" series, slashed its revenue forecasts on Friday as the economic downturn hurt its sales, mainly in the United States.
Shares in Eidos PLC tumbled 30.43 per cent as the company, formerly known as SCi Entertainment, also warned it could breach its debt covenants in the next six months.
Eidos said it had sold 1.5 million copies of the latest Lara Croft adventure, "Tomb Raider: Underworld," between its first release on Nov. 18 in the United States and Christmas.
That was well below its forecasts, despite the game charting in the top 10 in Europe, because of a weak start in sales in North America.
"In a difficult North American economy we have seen retailers restricting inventory levels and Triple-A products being price discounted above our expectation," the company said in a trading update to the London Stock Exchange.
"Consequently as we enter the second half of our financial year we are cautious about the potential for ongoing price discounting," it added.
That led the company, which also makes "Hitman," "Just Cause," and "Deus Ex," to cut its full-year revenue estimate to a range of 160-180 million pounds ($244-275 million), down from its previous guidance of 180-200 million pounds.
The company added that it had passed its peak net debt position and retained "sufficient headroom" within its committed banking facility, but added that given the revised profit expectations it may have to begin discussions with its lender about its debt due in June 2009.
Eidos said it expected its 2009 financial year to get a boost from the release of its "Batman: Arkham Asylum" game, which is currently being promoted in a trailer on all DVDs of Warner Bros' "The Dark Knight."
Eidos, which adopted the name of the company taken over by SCi Entertainment in 2005, has struggled in recent years after delays to the launch of its games and has frequently been at the centre of takeover speculation. Warner Bros parent Time Warner has increased its stake in the company to 20 per cent from 16 per cent.
New chief executive Phil Rogers made moves to restructure the company last year, cutting jobs and axing low performing games.
Eidos shares closed in London at 12 pence ($0.18), having slumped around 80 per cent over the past year.

[silversnake]

I know it sounds stupid but I GUARANTEE , Tomb raider would have sold a lot more if it had come with trophy support. My buddy from Eidos got me a copy and it's still un open , hoping that maybe a trophy patch will hit.

My buddy is working on Deus ex 3 which should help eidos tremendously. I"m personally looking forward to the next thief in the series.

[Cyorg]

Tomb Raider would have sold more if Uncharted didn't exist.

I wanted to get Tomb Raider, but I kept comparing it to Uncharted... It turned me off to it Lara Croft completely... Guess I'm gay for Drake. J/K... but really... I love Drake

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by silversnake

I know it sounds stupid but I GUARANTEE , Tomb raider would have sold a lot more if it had come with trophy support. My buddy from Eidos got me a copy and it's still un open , hoping that maybe a trophy patch will hit.

My buddy is working on Deus ex 3 which should help eidos tremendously. I"m personally looking forward to the next thief in the series.

not stupid at all. make a crap product, don't be suprised if it doesn't sell well, especially in tough economic times.

video games are semi-elastic, IMO. the economy is hitting videogames less than it is a lot of other industries and there is actually some pretty decent money to be made by investing in video games.

i made 20% since the beginning of the year by investing in Gamestop (GME). Terrific buy. They make better margins off used games, which sell better in tougher economic times than new ones.

[Easywolf32]

Originally Posted by silversnake

I know it sounds stupid but I GUARANTEE , Tomb raider would have sold a lot more if it had come with trophy support. My buddy from Eidos got me a copy and it's still un open , hoping that maybe a trophy patch will hit.

My buddy is working on Deus ex 3 which should help eidos tremendously. I"m personally looking forward to the next thief in the series.

People actually buy games for trophies, that's a bit retarded no?

Tomb Raider didnt sell a lot and it never again will, it was cool in the late 90's, it's pretty much passe now..unless they make a new kick ass movie.

[mewantyblu]

I'd be way more likely to care about trophys/360 achievements if they unlocked actual content, as in new weapons , costumes , playable charactors etc ect. Maybe some games do this , but none of the ones I've played so far have. Gamerscore? meh, just give me some actual unlockable content

[lettucenpico]

Drake is the new Tomb Raider, but we still have to love Lara and her hoohas

[mightypen]

Originally Posted by mewantyblu

I'd be way more likely to care about trophys/360 achievements if they unlocked actual content, as in new weapons , costumes , playable charactors etc ect. Maybe some games do this , but none of the ones I've played so far have. Gamerscore? meh, just give me some actual unlockable content

Another reason Dead Rising is exceptional.

ot- they launched the game at the worst possible time. a march/april launch would have seen a fraction of the competition.

[witheygull]

Originally Posted by mewantyblu

I'd be way more likely to care about trophys/360 achievements if they unlocked actual content, as in new weapons , costumes , playable charactors etc ect. Maybe some games do this , but none of the ones I've played so far have. Gamerscore? meh, just give me some actual unlockable content

The trophies for Uncharted unlock cheat codes, weapons, alternate skins, and behind the scenes content.

[silversnake]

Originally Posted by mightypen

ot- they launched the game at the worst possible time. a march/april launch would have seen a fraction of the competition.

Ya a lot of new IP's decided to come out as well right before Christmas and that was a mistake because it got lost in the sea of all good games. There were just way too many games from October - December.

[DetroitSportsFan]

The companies that make good games appear to be doing okay.

At $60 a pop, the game developers had better release a game worthy of the high price tag, or people won't buy.

I've said this many times before - most games just aren't worth the $60 price tag.

[Stephie_is_a_dork]

Uncharted - great game, well worth every penny of the $60 price tag
LBP - worth $100, it's $60 MSRP is a bargain, small profile space and all
Tomb Raider - sorry, but I wouldn't buy it for $20