SCI

Game Publisher SCi Gets Investment from Warner Bros.

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 25, 2008 - 7:30am.

London - U.K.-based video game publisher SCi, which owns Eidos and the "Tomb Raider" franchise, has received a $119 million investment from Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) Warner Bros. and real estate investor Robert Tchenguiz through a private share placement.

Warner Bros. Pays $87 Million for 10% Stake in U.K. Game Publisher SCi

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 15, 2006 - 7:39am.

Burbank, Calif. - Warner Bros. Entertainment announced on Friday that it will make an equity investment in video game publisher SCi Entertainment Group, the parent company of Eidos Interactive.

Verizon to Launch SCI's PlayLinc Gaming Communications Platform

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 29, 2006 - 1:24pm.

Atlanta - Supercomputer International (SCI) announced on Tuesday that its PlayLinc network for online gaming is set to launch with partners including Verizon, AOL, Intel, "America's Army" and the Cyberathlete Professional League.

SCi Licenses "Tomb Raider," "Hitman" Titles for Casino Games

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 1, 2006 - 1:23pm.

London - U.K.-based video game publisher SCi announced that it has signed an agreement with gambling software developer Microgaming, to license the "Tomb Raider" and "Hitman" franchises for use in slot machines and online casino applications.

Verizon Takes Stake in Online Games Technology Firm Super Computer

Authored by dmw on May 8, 2006 - 6:58pm.

New York - Verizon announced on Monday that it has acquired an equity stake in Super Computer International, a provider of equipment and services for online video games. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The companies are developing an online game browsing and messaging platform called PlayLinc, whose features will include IM and VoIP, server browsing, team management, buddy tracking and player invitations. "The platforms we are devising will reset the standards and expectations of online game players while simplifying and accelerating their ability to build highly customizable gaming communities and personalized social networks," said SCI CEO Jesper Jensen. Verizon and SCO plan a public beta test of PlayLinc this summer, and will then make the platform available to other gaming providers.

U.K. Game Publisher SCi Breaks Off Talks with Bidders

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 15, 2006 - 9:30am.

London - SCi Entertainment, a U.K.-based computer games publisher, announced that it has ended all talks concerning a possible offer for the company. "The board does not believe that it is in the company's or the shareholders' interests to prolong talks any further," SCi said. The company also maintained its guidance for the year and announced the successful integration of Eidos, the company behind the popular "Tomb Raider" games. Last October, SCi's shares increased by 25% after the company said it was approached twice by unnamed bidders. On Wednesday, SCi shares fell by as much as 12% in late-afternoon trading in London.

U.K. Game Developer SCi Confirms Takeover Rumors

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 24, 2005 - 7:31am.

London - Shares in SCi Entertainment, the U.K.-based game developer behind the popular "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" series, soared by as much as 28% in late afternoon trading in London after the company confirmed that it has received takeover approaches from several companies. "The board of SCi notes today's press comment and confirms that it has received approaches from various parties which may or may not lead to an offer for the company," SCi said, adding that it would comment further on the matter "as and when appropriate". A number of news reports have linked U.S.-based game makers Midway and Electronic Arts with the bids, while Apax Partners, a U.K.-based venture capital firm, is also rumored to have thrown its hat into the ring.

Eidos Board Approves SCi Buyout Offer Over Rival Bid from Elevation

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 7, 2005 - 3:20am.

London -- The board of directors of struggling U.K. video game publisher Eidos announced on Thursday that it has voted to accept a buyout offer from fellow U.K. publisher SCi Entertainment Group, rejecting a rival offer Elevation Partners, a venture capital firm whose principals include former Electronic Arts president John Riccitiello and U2 frontman Bono. About 41% of Eidos shareholders have already approved the SCi buyout, which will offer about $1.37 per Eidos share, as compared with Elevation's offer of $0.94 per share. About 41% of Eidos shareholders have already voiced their approval of the deal. Eidos said that it has recommended shareholders accept the SCi bid, despite the fact that Eidos is much larger than SCi, operating on a global scale, and may lose key employees as a result of the merger.

tags: SCI | Elevation | Eidos Board | Buyout Offer |