Latest Tomb Raider is fastest-selling computer game

One of the best-selling gaming franchises of all time recorded more success today after the latest version of Tomb Raider smashed sales expectations.

Sci Entertainment, which owns Eidos Interactive, said it had sold 2.6 million copies of Tomb Raider Legend worldwide since its release five weeks ago.

That exceeds the amount that London-based Sci predicted it would sell in the period to June 30.

In the UK, Tomb Raider Legend is the fastest-selling computer game of the year so far and the best of all seven in the series featuring cyberbabe Lara Croft.

Since the launch on Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox in Europe and North America, the video game has reached the number one position in all key regions.

As a result, Sci said it remained on track for profitability in the year to June 30, despite recording

losses of £12.8m (€18.8m) in the previous six months.

It is also encouraged by the potential of its release schedule over the next few weeks, including Championship Manager on Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox and Hitman: Blood Money.

It said pre-orders for Hitman had been particularly strong following good reviews in industry magazines.

The Tomb Raider series originally launched in 1996 and is still one of the best-selling videogame franchises of all time, with more than 30 million copies sold. It has also given rise to two Hollywood films, featuring Angelina Jolie.

SCi picked up the franchise when it acquired Eidos in May last year. The company’s shares were up by more than 4% today.