News bites

Time for a bit of news around the game industry. Here we go:

• Eidos and Crystal Dynamics have started releasing information regarding the latest entry into the Tomb Raider franchise. The game, titled Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend, is scheduled to released on the Xbox, PS2, and PC. So far, there are no details on the game's release date, but more information should be released over the next few weeks. In the meantime, take a look at the new character model for Lara.
  
  
  The new Lara Croft 
  One thing you'll notice is the versitile looking backpack and belt. This time around, Lara's inventory will be limited and you'll actually see her store weapons and accessories on her person. Also, the developers decided to look back to what made the original game so popular, and they've listened to complaints from gamers. The result will be something that Eidos hopes will recapture Lara's appeal in the hearts of gamers.
  
  
• Speaking of Eidos, there's a bidding war going on for the UK publisher. Elevation Partners, an investment company which includes former EA president John Riccitiello and U2 frontman Bono, had initially put in a bid for Eidos which many news reports announced as a done deal. Enter rival software publisher SCi. SCi has apparently made a competing bid for Eidos, and the new offer is building a lot of interest with shareholders. Reports are stating that at least 30 percent of Eidos shareholders have tenatively agreed to the SCi offer. It'll be interesting to see how this all pans out. And on a side note of interest to all of you comic fans, it should be noted that comic studio Top Cow has a vested interest in how this turns out. Back when Top Cow first started publishing the Tomb Raider comic, Eidos worked out a deal in which it bought a stake in the comic company. This means that whoever wins in the Eidos deal will also become a part owner of Top Cow. Hmmm ....
  
  
• New Yorkers gamers are in for a treat this spring as Nintendo opens up a new two-story Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Center. Nintendo World will be the new home of Pokemon Center, featuring exclusive Pokemon merchandise and host special Pokemon events. Nintendo World will also feature a huge display of playable GBA, GameCube, and DS titles ... as well as a few unreleased titles. So if you're in NYC later this year, check out Nintendo World for all sorts of Nintendo goodies.
  
  
• EA is going old-school for its new Bond video game. The game is based on the classic Bond flick, From Russia With Love, and will feature the likeness and voice of none other than Sean Connery. Fans of the Bond games can expect to see the new game show up on the Xbox, PS2, and GameCube systems later this fall.

As always, there's more to come, but hopefully this is enough to whet your appetite.