Eidos still suffering

Even Lara Croft is struggling to save Eidos

Eidos, the British computer games maker famous for Lara Croft and Tomb Raider, saw its shares stumble again after it reported a "quiet" first quarter.

The firm has been in takeover talks since June, having suffered big losses the mighty Lara has been powerless to stem.

The screen version of Tomb Raider, starring Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie, has begun shooting

Eidos

In the three months to 30 June, its losses were £18.4m ($27m) against revenues of £16.8m ($24.5m) - both figures little changed from a year earlier.

Eidos shares slumped 5% from 488.75p to 464.25p in early trade, although they recovered later to close at 495p after the firm's plans for the future had been digested.

Waiting game

Eidos says the whole games market has suffered from players delaying purchases while waiting for much-heralded new generation consoles.

It released only four new games in the quarter but said its plans for the rest of the year were the strongest yet.

The company said: "The schedule includes new products such as Chicken Run, Hitman, Startopia, Project IGI, 102 Dalmations and Anachronox.

"Visitors to Pinewood Studios near London will have noticed that Paramount Pictures' eagerly anticipated screen version of Tomb Raider, starring Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie, has begun shooting."

The film is expected to be in cinemas a year from now.

Takeover target

Eidos says it is confident it can trade through current difficulties to take advantage of the new platforms - and all eyes are now on Sony's Playstation 2, due for release in the autumn.

But it says it is still in talks about a possible takeover.

Rumours have pointed to French software company Infogrames Entertainment, which said in July it was considering a bid.

Analysts say Eidos might be trying to bring in another bidder, possibly world computer games number one Electronic Arts which has a turnover of £960m ($1.4bn).

Havas Interactive, a unit of Vivendi, has denied that it is involved.