SCi Releases Six-Month Financial Report, Retires Name

SCi, the UK-headquartered game developer and publisher which recently acquired Eidos, has published its six-month report on their financial proceedings so far. The acquisition of Eidos figured heavily into the results, and has made SCi the largest videogame publisher in the U.K, but revealed a loss before tax of £3.8 million ($6.96 million) in the six months to March 31st 2005. Currently, SCi is still in the process of integrating Eidos development, and though Eidos' recent reports have posted losses, SCi is working to restore the entire company's profitability within the next year. One step toward that goal, taken before the acquisition, was Eidos' release of Lego Star Wars, which has sold 1.3 million copies to date. Other games of SCi's, such as the movie tie-in Constantine, did as well as the company was expecting. The company is currently expecting a loss for the 9-month period leading to June 30, due to the heavy expenses incurred in the Eidos buyout, as well as a relative lack of new product from SCi. Following that, however, the company lists 18 titles either recently released or due out soon that should improve SCi's fortunes, including 25 to Life, Conflict: Global Terror, Hitman: Blood Money, Reservoir Dogs, and Tomb Raider Legend. However, SCi cautioned that some of Eidos' titles, particularly Tomb Raider Legend, could see delays from their previously announced dates due to its desire to "maximise the quality of the final product." Finally, chief executive Jane Cavanagh commented: "The Board has decided that all future products published by the enlarged Group will be released under the Eidos brand name", continuing: "This recognises that the Eidos brand has a high degree of recognition with consumers and retailers, particularly in the US. This will not affect the corporate identity of the Group, which will continue to be known as SCi Entertainment Group."