WARREN SPECTOR QUITS ION STORM
Copyright 2004 www.tombraiderchronicles.com

[ November 8th 2004 ]

Eidos has confirmed legendary game designer Warren Spector has quit his role at acclaimed studio ION Storm after months of speculation. "Eidos announces that Warren Spector has relinquished his role as Studio Director at Ion Storm" said a spokesperson for Eidos, but notes veteran Spector will not sever his ties completely with the company, spurring speculation of a collaboration on the forthcoming Tomb Raider game currently in progress at U.S. based studio Crystal Dynamics, as we reported back in Feb 2004.

Warren Spector has been creating games underscored by silence and shadows for almost 10 years, culminating in the best selling Thief trilogy, System Shock and more recent Deus EX - the first to be created under the aegis of Ion Storm Entertainment. Eidos has neither confirmed nor denied the possible involvement of Spector, tapped as the Tim Burton of video games because of his unique vision and enigmatic approach.

Eidos transferred development of the Tomb Raider franchise to its Crystal Dynamics studio in 2003 in a move the company said would enhance the value and maximise the commercial opportunity of one of its key franchises. The Californian-based studio has already acquired several feathers in its cap and strengthened its position within the game development industry with the critically acclaimed Soul Reaver series, now in its third incarnation.