FRENCH INVESTORS TAKE BITE FROM SCi
Copyright 2005 www.tombraiderchronicles.com

[ September 19th 2005 ]

Credit Agricole Cheuvreux International Ltd, an equity brokerage subsidiary of the Calyon group, has declared an interest in 8,226,135 ordinary shares representing 11.4 per cent of SCi Entertainment Group plc, owners of Lara Croft creator Eidos plc. The announcement was made earlier today via the London Stock Exchange's Regulatory News Service.

On January 10, 2005, Ubisoft Entertainment - linked on numerous occasions with Eidos in 2005 and 2004 (and former partner on Salt Lake 2002) - announced the extension of an equity swap contract with Calyon. The same month, Europe's third-largest video games publisher said it had not ruled out buying British rival Eidos (now part of SCi) as part of its defence options against a potential takeover by Electronics Arts.

"We are still interested in this company (Eidos). Short-term we are (more focused on) analysing how to organise in the face of recent events rather than on buying Eidos," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Yves Guillemot confirmed. "That said, this is a defence option we have not yet ruled out," he added.

SCi acquired British rival Eidos earlier this year following a bidding war between U.S. equity group Elevation Partners, helmed by Irish rock star Bono. As part of the 68 million GBP acquisition, SCi - who will now trade under the Eidos brand - secured the successful Tomb Raider video-game franchise along with other key intellectual properties including Hitman and Championship Manager.