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

Lara Croft was today tasked with firing SCi Entertainment back into the black as the computer games maker prepared to launch the latest instalment in the Tomb Raider franchise.

Miners kept the FTSE 100 Index on course for the 6,000 barrier after six of the top flight’s 10 biggest risers came from the sector today.

A takeover battle for Sci Entertainment was looming today after the computer games publisher found itself in the sights of a string of suitors.

ELEVATION Partners, the venture capital firm backed by U2 star Bono, has failed in its attempt to acquire video game developer Eidos.

The top flight finished today comfortably in the black, but failed to make up much of the week’s losses.

Computer games maker Eidos switched takeover partners today after supporting a higher approach from rival firm Sci Entertainment.

The London market made modest gains today after lower oil prices offset the negative impact of several stocks going ex-dividend.

A BID by the venture capital outfit backed by U2 frontman Bono to acquire the company behind the Lara Croft video game may be under threat.

CYBERBABE Lara Croft was at the centre of a takeover tug-of-war yesterday after two bids were tabled for her London-based creator.

Gains by water and gas companies helped lift the FTSE 100 Index into positive territory today and narrowed losses that saw it dip towards the 4900 level early on.

Reassuring data showing that UK inflation remained unchanged last month failed to tempt investors into the London market today.

Computer games maker Eidos received a financial lifeline today after a private equity firm featuring rock icon Bono struck a £71m (€102.4m) takeover deal.

A batch of gloomy updates took its toll on London shares today and forced the FTSE 100 Index to retreat from its recent 30-month high.

British computer games maker Eidos saw its market value slump 17% today as it moved to cool speculation about the price of a potential takeover deal.

British Airways was the big loser on the London market today as the price of crude soared to new heights.

Computer games maker Eidos today warned it was delaying the release of a key title in the run-up to Christmas.

Computer games maker Eidos today confirmed it was in talks with a number of parties that could lead to a takeover of the company.

The delayed release of the latest Tomb Raider computer game featuring cyber-babe Lara Croft today forced publisher Eidos to cut its annual pre-tax profit forecast.

Nokia has announced new game titles for the Nokia N-GageTM game deck at the annual E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) in Los Angeles,California.

Eidos, the games developer which brought Tomb Raider heroine Lara Croft to computer screens, today said it had returned to profit after three years in the red.

Fans of cyber babe Lara Croft will have to wait at least another three months for the release of the latest Tomb Raider computer game, design group Eidos said today.

The latest video game to feature gun-toting heroine Lara Croft will not be ready in time for Christmas, it emerged today.

Tomb Raider group Eidos was pinning its hopes on a series of new releases today as it showed losses were coming down across the business.

Computer game manufacturer Eidos has revealed its losses are shrinking - and a new Tomb Raider deal could help cut losses further.

The Footsie index of 100 leading shares is up 13.1 points at lunchtime to stand at 5810 after falling by 63 points in the first 30 minutes of trading this morning.

The London market seems to be overcoming a poor start to trading as the City digests a raft of corporate announcements.