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Tomb Raider Underworld 'Beneath the Ashes' DLC delayed
It appears Lady Croft will have to explore her basement at a later date, as Eidos has once again delayed Tomb Raider Underworld's DLC. StrategyInformer received word from the publisher that the hold up is being caused by an "unexpected technical issue." There is currently no new release date for the DLC.We wonder if this "technical issue" would have been dealt with by now if Crystal Dynamics still had its staff intact? We've contacted Eidos with questions regarding this delay and will update if we hear anything.Update: An Eidos rep. has responded to our questions by reaffirming the delay and stating a new launch date will be revealed as soon as it's confirmed.
Watch Lara explore her basement in 'Beneath the Ashes'
Eidos has released a developer diary video talking up the soon-to-be-released, Xbox 360 exclusive "Beneath the Ashes" episode for Tomb Raider: Underworld. For those just joining us, the new level sees Lady Croft discovering that her home's basement has ... a basement. And that, in addition to being very large, it's also chockablock with traps. We're guessing her realtor wasn't big on total disclosure.The video offers up our first good look at the DLC, with principals on the project revealing that it contains puzzles even more ... puzzling than those in the retail game. It's also quite "creepy," "spooky" and "scary" -- as the viewer is told, oh, a dozen times or so. See for yourself ... unless you scare, spook or get creeped out easily.
Tomb Raider Underworld DLC episodes dated: Feb. 10 and Mar. 10
Remember that retail listing for the Tomb Raider Underworld "Expansion Token Pack" with a January 21st ship date? Oh, you do ... we were sort of hoping you'd forgotten about all that. Oh, you've spent the last 24 hours staring at the Xbox 360 Marketplace? Well, this is awkward ...Well, you can divert your attention until February 10 when "Beneath the Ashes" – the first of two Xbox 360-exclusive DLC episodes – brings six new costumes, 125 additional achievement points, and some "never-before-seen caverns and age old crypts" to Lara's latest. The second episode – "Lara's Shadow" – follows on March 10 and, we presume, will feature another 125 achievement points.The press release curiously avoids any mention of price but – seeing as how the email in our inbox reminded us that "the codes to download this content will be available at GameStop" – we're going to assume that despite managing to botch the date, GameStop's got the $10 per episode asking price right. We've asked an Eidos rep just in case. [image]
Tomb Raider: Underworld DLC set for Feb. 10, March 10
Having been delayed late last year thanks to layoffs at Crystal Dynamics, Eidos has officialy set a new date for the Tomb Raider: Underworld DLC. The first content pack, "Beneath the Ashes," is set to arrive on February 10 and finds Lara exploring the ruins of Croft Manner to discover a hidden "deadly source of power" amidst ancient caverns and crypts. Frankly, we hope the DLC unravels the mystery as to why the Crofts decided to build their mansion on top of so many caverns and crypts in the first place. "Beneath the Ashes" will also contain six new costumes for Lara and new achievements worth 125 points.The second batch of DLC, "Lara's Shadow," will be available March 10. No details were released regarding the second pack, but it's probably safe to assume it will also contain a new level, costumes, and achievements. No prices were announced, though GameStop lists both packs combined for $20, leading us to believe they will be individually priced at 800 points.It's worth noting that former creative director for Crystal Dynamics, Eric Lindstrom, has stated that the DLC levels were originally intended to be included in the retail game, but were cut as the result of "a production issue" that would have caused the game to miss its ship date.
NPD: MGS4 sells over 1 million in US, Tomb Raider left undiscovered
Now that we've seen the real list for 2008's top-selling games, Gamasutra has taken a look at some of the high-profile titles that didn't make the cut. Thanks to data from the NPD, we now know Metal Gear Solid 4 has passed the one-million threshold in the US with 1.08M in sales -- 775K in June, 301K since then. It's worth noting that the figure doesn't include copies sold in the MGS4 PlayStation 3 bundle. Globally, Old Snake has enlisted over 4 million soldiers. As for LittleBigPlanet and Resistance 2, they sold 611K and 598K stateside in 2008, respectively. Here's the bad news: Tomb Raider: Underworld has managed only 246K across three platforms since launching mid-November -- indeed a disappointment, but also a lowered bar for Naughty Dog's Nathan Drake vs. Lara Croft claim. To its credit, TRU has done better elsewhere, selling 1.5 million worldwide. Meanwhile, Prince of Persia did 483K in December, with at least 213K of those going to the PS3 version. While that puts it on par with Sony's first-party titles last month, it also means the Xbox 360 version saw relatively disappointing sales. Metal Gear Solid 4 and LittleBigPlanet were both "honored" (if you can call it that) in our Best of 2008 awards. See what else made the list.
Eidos stock up following buyout talks
Eidos share prices have been positively bouncing this morning. GI.biz reports that yesterday's acknowledgment of a takeover bid sent the stock up 40% to 17 pence. The shares are currently maintaining an increase from yesterday's closing price.Investors may be optimistic, but there's still no word on the mystery company interested in Eidos. Current speculation is that Warner Bros. is the one making a move, having already taken over 20% of the publisher. Eidos' woes were renewed recently after sales of Tomb Raider: Underworld did not meet expectations.
M-rated Tomb Raider a possibility?
Eidos recently laid off 30 employees at Crystal Dynamics, including Tomb Raider: Underworld creative director Eric Lindstrom. Understandably bitter about Eidos' cost-cutting, Lindstrom is now answering fan questions on a popular Tomb Raider fan forum, giving an intriguing and frank insight into the development process (including details Eidos probably didn't want publicized).One of the more interesting factoids to emerge from Lindstrom's open Q & A session is that Crystal Dynamics was held back by Eidos from making Underworld an M-rated title. "I wanted to do things that a Teen rating prevented," explained Lindstrom, "but I also wanted it to get the players the first unrated games, did. In the end it didn't matter because publishing wanted it to be Teen."So far, the Tomb Raider franchise has contained only Teen-rated games, but was a Mature title still a possibility? Says Lindstrom: "The managers who said it had to be Teen left some time ago, so maybe that could change sometime." We assume such a game would either include more violence, or, as some sites have been quick to suggest, a more risqué depiction of Lara.Though something evidently has to change after Underworld's disappointing sales, does anybody else find such a prospect depressing? We'd prefer it if Eidos concentrated on shipping games that, y'know, functioned correctly. Also, while we're discussing Underworld, we figured this would be an appropriate place to mention the Zero Punctuation review, which just popped up in our RSS feeds -- catch the video after the jump!%Gallery-29889%
Tomb Raider: Underworld creative director speaks out on his layoff, DLC rumors
Now-former creative director of the Tomb Raider franchise at Crystal Dynamics, Eric Lindstrom, has broken his silence about recent layoffs at the developer -- including his own -- and rumors that the upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive DLC for the game was "held back" from the final release for profit's sake.Posting on the site Tomb Raider Forums, Lindstrom says that he was let go as the result of there being "too many captains for the number of ships" at the studio, suggesting that the new, leaner Crystal Dynamics won't be working on multiple concurrent projects. Linden likened the layoffs to "musical chairs," saying that, "when the music stopped all the seats were taken."Lindstrom also used his new "free agent" status to dispel rumors about the 360's two additional, downloadable missions, which are coming soon to XBLM. "We had a production issue that was going to make us miss our ship date," he wrote, revealing that, "It was my idea to cut what was cut, and I did hope that it would one day be made available as a download mission ... but on the day we made the cut, it was made purely for Underworld production reasons."
Retail: Tomb Raider Underworld DLC coming Jan. 21
Finally, some Tomb Raider news that's about, you know, tombs. Specifically, the downloadable kind meant to extend Lara Croft's latest -- and commercially disappointing -- adventure, Tomb Raider Underworld. Eidos had promised two Xbox 360-exclusive episodes, with the first initially scheduled to arrive by Christmas. Sadly, the only things to be released by developer Crystal Dynamics thus far are thirty employees.Though an official post-delay date has yet to be confirmed by Eidos, retailer GameStop currently lists a Tomb Raider Underworld "Expansion Token Pack," which is said to contain two Xbox Live Marketplace Token cards. According to the product page, the pack will cost $19.99 and ship on Wednesday, January 21st. If we were prone to bouts of speculation, we'd say that the presence of two cards indicates that both DLC packs ("Beneath the Ashes" and "Lara's Shadow") will be released simultaneously on Xbox Live at a combined cost of 1600.If we were prone to such silly things -- we'll let you know what Eidos has to say as soon as possible.
Eidos looking to reinvent Lara Croft (again)
Forget that Lady Croft's reinvention -- by the recently downsized Crystal Dynamics -- in Tomb Raider: Legend brought new life to a franchise that was on life support, Eidos wants to do another makeover of the heroine after "disappointing" Underworld sales of only 1.5 million units in the six weeks following the game's release. Eidos expected the latest Croft adventure to hit 2 million sales during this brutal holiday season. Speaking with The Times, Eidos CFO Robert Brent says they need to look at everything when developing the next Tomb Raider title. He uses Batman as an example of a "sad character" from the Burton films, who became more "noir" in The Dark Knight. This would be a good time to note that Croft tried going "darker" before; it was called Angel of Darkness.Eidos would also like to make Lara more female-friendly, which is understandable -- a good first step might be showing her eyes on the box art. It's worth pointing out that Eidos is apparently using Legend's 3 million sales to gauge its disappointment with Underworld. Key difference: Legend released with breathing room in April of 2006, not in the war zone of 2008's climax.
Eidos confirms Crystal Dynamics layoffs
Following tips that Crystal Dynamics, current developer of the Tomb Raider series, experienced layoffs yesterday, publisher Eidos has confirmed to Joystiq that approximately 30 employees have been let go. When asked what the reason for the layoffs were, a company spokesperson said, "We have increased the focus on the Tomb Raider franchise at Crystal Dynamics, regrettably this has resulted in the reduction in headcount." Increased focus means layoffs ... okay?Follow up questions regarding Eidos' sales expectations for Tomb Raider Underworld and how those figures were projected were not answered. The Crystal Dynamics layoffs come following Eidos' disappointment with Tomb Raider Underworld sales.[Update: Joystiq has confirmed that Eric Lindstrom, Underworld's Creative Director, was among those let go.]
Eidos disappointed with Underworld sales
Gamesindustry.biz is reporting that Eidos' latest Lara Croft installment, Tomb Raider: Underworld, has failed to meet internal sales forecasts and that its performance has been disappointing. "On a global basis our sell through to 31 December, which we estimate at approximately 1.5 million units, is below our internal forecasts," admitted an Eidos rep, adding that the lower than expected sales were "primarily due to a lower start in North America." Well, there's always a chance at financial success with Arkham Asylum.
Eidos disappointed with TR: Underworld sales, stock drops
Following UK publisher Eidos Interactive's announcement that sales of Tomb Raider Underworld didn't hit its internal forecast, the publisher's shares dropped 25% this morning (there's been some slight recovery since). Eidos states that Lady Croft's latest adventure, since its debut in November, sold 1.5 million copies by the end of 2008, which makes us question how high Eidos set the bar for the adventurer to spring, swing and flip off of.Eidos' expectations come even more into question with its statement that the "difficult North American economy" caused restrictive inventory and price discounts. The assertion has a heaping hint of truthiness to it, more so following GameStop's astronomical sales during the holidays. We love Lara, but it doesn't sound like Eidos knows the limits of its own franchise in a competitive market.Source - Eidos: 1.5m Tomb Raider Sales Miss Expectations (Edge)Source - Eidos shares plunge 25% on bad news
Free skintight Lara Croft wetsuits now on the XBLM
There's new Tomb Raider: Underworld downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace today, free content that'll add two new costumes to Lara's wardrobe. But these aren't just any boring old costumes, these two free outfits are skin tight, spandex-like and curve enhancing wetsuits. Mmmhmm. We aren't exactly sure what they look look (probably something like the pic above), but the DLC is free so there isn't much of a decision to be made. Download away!
Tomb Raider: Underworld soundtrack free to download
If you're like us, then you enjoy Lara's adventures. Well, her latest, Tomb Raider: Underworld, had quite the score and, luckily enough, it's available to download for free. The music for the game was created by Colin O'Malley and you have several options when downloading. You can either snag bundles of tracks centered around each locale in the game, or one huge file with all 71 tracks (they're in 320kbps MP3, so the thing weighs in pretty hefty at 198mb).%Gallery-29889%[Via Joystiq]
Tune Raider: 'Underworld' soundtrack available for free download
Nothing says "yuletide cheer" like a bombastic action score, such as the one written by Colin O'Malley for Tomb Raider: Underworld. Good news: said soundtrack is being offered as a free download from the website Tomb Raider Chronicles (and actually has been for a while, but "better late than never"). There are actually several downloads to choose from: bundles of tracks associated with each of the game's locales, or one big "deluxe edition" (198MB) containing all 71 tracks in 320kbps MP3 format. (Lady Croft demands nothing but the highest bitrates.)[Via X3F]
Explore the Tomb Raider: Underworld soundtrack (for free)
If you have a penchant for the discovery of tombs and the subsequent raiding of them, you just might have a little place in your heart for the Tomb Raider: Underworld soundtrack. If so, you might also be interested to know that you can download the entire soundtrack -- for free -- from Tomb Raider Chronicles. You can download the soundtrack in separate packages (one for each level of the game) or as one massive deluxe edition (71 tracks at 198MB). Apparently, it's been available for some time now, but that only makes it that much more exciting. After all, archaeology is about discovering ancient treasures, right? Well, that and the destruction of Atlantean gods, of course.
Suit up: New TR Underworld costumes available
Eidos has given Underworld fans another free costume pack, perfect for playing dress-up with Lara Croft. The 62MB download gives Lara a blue and a red wetsuit to add to her walk-in closet. A previous free costume pack bestowed Lady Croft with her treasured original (Anniversary) outfit and her Legend ensemble.As much as we love putting Lara in new clothes -- pretending she's the Barbie doll dad wouldn't let us have as a kid -- don't think we've forgotten about those Underworld level packs. Pretty clothes might distract us, but the "Beneath the Ashes" mission was originally planned to be out by now.
Call of Duty: World at War tops UK charts
Treyarch's Call of Duty: World at War has climbed to the top of the UK all-format game sales charts, blasting its way through countless soldiers, explosive set pieces and Need For Speed: Undercover, which was in second place for some reason. Resistance 2 grabbed the tenth spot in its debut, while Sonic Unleashed, as Eurogamer points out, only managed 23rd ... on the Xbox 360-specific chart. Though FIFA 09's third all-format position makes complete sense and matches our envisioned UK stereotypes perfectly, it's somewhat harder to justify the #39 spot held by Mirror's Edge, not to mention Left 4 Dead's #34. Tomb Raider: Underworld, however, managed to go from a 9 to a 7 in a week. Not the first time that's happened.
UK Report: Tomb Raider Underworld sales leading on PS3
Xbox 360-exclusive DLC? Lara Croft fans aren't so easily swayed, it seems. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the gallivanting grave-robber has found herself exploring the interior of the PlayStation 3, more than any other system, with the release of Tomb Raider: Underworld. The report notes that 51 percent of the game's initial UK sales (before Monday?) were on Sony's monolithic platform, with the Xbox 360 accounting for 34 percent. The rest is made up of Underworld's PC, Wii and DS versions.While the news is somewhat surprising -- the Xbox 360 tends to enjoy a larger share of multiplatform sales -- it should be noted that PlayStation 3 owners missed out on the last two, post-reboot Tomb Raider adventures. We'll see whether that reflects in the US sales once the month is over.
