Eidos Delays Game Amidst Buyout Rumors

In an unexpected and controversial move UK publisher Eidos has delayed the release of ShellShock: Nam ’67 until the autumn, despite the game having been finished and approved for launch. The company claims the move is to “provide this important new franchise with a better opportunity to deliver its true potential.” In doing so the company now has now no chance to post a profit in this financial year and expects to either break even or post a small loss, compared to a previous forecast of pre-tax profits of £7.5 million ($13.8m). The company also announced that it was initiating a full review of the “strategic alternatives” available to it in exploiting its existing intellectual properties – which includes Tomb Raider, Championship Manager and Deus Ex. The delay of ShellShock is so apparently self-defeating that many have inferred that it is an intentional move on the part of the company’s management to make the company ready for a buyout. This seems to be the pervading opinion with most business analysts, with Electronic Arts, Activision and Ubisoft all being mooted as possible suitors. Source: Reuters