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Technology Stocks : eidos--maker of Tomb Raider -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Tumbleweed who wrote (964)	6/3/1998 11:23:00 AM
From: Harry	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1773

Joe, Interesting point on fans wanting more of the same. To a certain extent, I agree with you. The problem is when quality "clone" games start coming out, and you need to differentiate yourself in some way. Until that happens, I agree that more of the same will sell extremely well (Resident Evil 2, Tekken 2 & 3, and TR2 are all good examples of that). The difficulty, of course, is gauging when the clones have caught up. Specifically with regards to TR3, I did post the negative reviews a few days ago, but the more I think about it, the more I agree with your assessment that TR3 doesn't need radical improvements to sell well. Although there are some games with similar game play coming out (Soul Reaver and Metal Gear Solid, to name two of the more prominent), TR seems to distinguish itself these days on the basis of Lara Croft more than on its style of game play. Interesting thought, but this is probably a good example of why having a marketing tool like Lara Croft can make a huge difference. That is, even if other games in the same genre catch up in game play, Lara will always differentiate TR from the rest (until gamers get tired of seeing her hyped everywhere, of course grin). Anyway, just my two cents. :-) Harry

To: Tumbleweed who wrote (964)	6/9/1998 6:24:00 AM
From: hl	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1773

I've no doubts that TR 3 will even outsell TR 2. The current discussion about no radical changes in the gameplay of TR 3 remind me of the situation a year ago. Many said that TR 2 will likely be just a "cheap copy" of TR 1 with no real innovations. Well what has Core Design done: they improved the graphic engine (light sourcing), increased the action part (more human baddies) and also implemented some new features (like the motor boat and snow scooter sequences). If they maintain the strategy of little changes in gameplay, TR 3 will surely be another blockbuster. I don't think most Lara fans want a totally different game. Just imagine if TR 3 is going to be another 3D shooter in Quake 2 style, I don't think such a product will sell well. Regarding EIDSY promising release Commandos. I also noticed some good previews in German gaming magazines (unlike the competitor product "Soldiers at War" from Mindscape manly because of a bad AI of the computer opponents), but always keep in mind that Commandos isn't a 100% EIDSY inhouse production. It was developed by Pyro Studios from Spain and EIDSY has to share potential profits with them. FF VII is also a trademark of another company (Squaresoft), so strong sales wouldn't have the same impact as a inhouse production like TR or Deathtrap Dungeon. By the way, who says DD will not sell well? It will not have the potential of an unique product like TR, but I don't expect a flop either (possible sales of 500,000 copies isn't a flop in this industry, I suppose). In my opinion the Lara Croft franchise is the fundament of steady and solid revenues for EIDSY for the next several years. Just remember that a TR movie is also in the pipeline. The current valuation of EIDSY is at a absurd low level, I will not sell a single share even if the stocks moves back above 20. Kai