EA, Ubisoft Takeover Rumors Surround SCi/Eidos

Reports of takeover talks again surround Eidos Interactive parent SCi Entertainment, according to widespread media reports. The struggling company has quadrupled its losses in the past year, and the UK Daily Mail pegs the attrition in SCi's share price at 92 percent. The Daily Mail says that both Electronic Arts and Ubisoft (in which EA owns a 25 percent stake) have approached the company for "early stage" acquisition talks now that the price for the holder of the Tomb Raider franchise would be relatively low. SCi recently amended a "standstill" agreement with stakeholder and distribution partner Warner Bros that would allow the company to buy more shares in SCi, a move that fueled media speculation that the company was looking to be bought. The Daily Mail's source said the interested parties were holding off to see if SCi could effectively deliver Tomb Raider: Underworld in time for interest after its delay. Believed to add to the appeal of an SCi acquisition is the company's portfolio of other successful IP like Hitman. Gamasutra is currently awaiting any comment from Electronic Arts as of press time. Eidos was unable to be reached.