EIDOS ANNOUNCES POTENTIAL LOSS FOR 04
Copyright 2004 www.tombraiderchronicles.com

[ June 17th 2004 ]

Eidos plc, the publisher of computer video-game heroine Lara Croft, saw 2.9 percent shaved from its London share price ealier today after issuing a profit warning and warning investors it may post a fiscal full-year loss as a result of soft product performance within the videogame industry. The company also delayed the release of ShellShock Nam ’67 till September in a move the company says will contribute to the success of the franchise.

"During the current financial year, Eidos has successfully released on time 13 new titles (41 sku's), which evidences further the significant improvements made by the Company in managing its development resources over the past 12 months. The Company's most recent release, Thief: Deadly Shadows, was launched on 25 May in the US and has performed in line with management's expectations since launch. "The title also released in Europe on 11 June and while it is too early to comment on its European performance, initial reviews are very encouraging.

"The Company's final planned release during the current financial year, ShellShock: Nam '67, has been approved on PS2, is completed on PC and Xbox and approval is expected imminently.

"On 20 May 2004, the Company reported that the recent and unexpected softness in the games market, particularly in the US, was negatively impacting unit sales of Hitman: Contracts even thought it was charting well in Europe and the US (and continues to do so.) Since that time, this market trend has not reversed and the industry is about to enter the traditionally quieter summer period for game sales. Given these circumstances, and notwithstanding that the game is now ready to release, the Board has decided to hold the release of ShellShock: Nam '67 until September to as to provide this important new franchise with a better opportunity to deliver its true potential.

"The expected contribution from this rescheduled title will fall into the financial year 30 June 2005 and consequently the Company now expects to report a breakeven to small loss for the financial year to 30 June 2004."