LADYDRAGON.COM - EIDOS INTERACTIVE ‘TURNS IT ON’ AT THE 2002 ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT EXPO

Monday May 13, 2002

EIDOS INTERACTIVE ‘TURNS IT ON’ AT THE 2002 ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT EXPO

Eidos showcases electric game line-up at E3 2002 highlighted by Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system

Los Angeles, CA, Electronic Entertainment Expo, Booth 1300 South Hall (May 21, 2002) -- Eidos Interactive, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, today announced its groundbreaking console and PC game line-up for the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), held May 22-24 in Los Angeles, California. The key featured games in Eidos’ booth include: Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PC; Hitman 2: Silent Assassin for the Xbox™ video game system, PlayStation®2 and PC; TimeSplitters 2 for the PlayStation®2, Xbox™, and Nintendo GameCube™; Praetorians for PC, and DX2: Invisible War for Xbox™ and PC.

"I firmly believe that Eidos’ E3 2002 lineup is our strongest ever," said Rob Dyer, president of Eidos Interactive, US. "Every title in the lineup reflects our vision and capacity to produce high-quality, technologically groundbreaking, and exciting games."

This E3 marks the return of Lara Croft, as Eidos prepares for a Winter 2002 release of The Angel of Darkness. Lara returns as both hunter and hunted relying on her ingenuity, athleticism and a new edge to her personality. However, this time she faces more complex characters and situations, calling for more involved decision-making. Lara now has the ability to interact with characters and players can affect her route through the game by the choices they make in conversation with these characters. Upgrading her trademark style and look and dropping her into a new and shocking scenario calls for a new resourcefulness making her a stronger and more complex heroine.

The Angel of Darkness employs a brand new engine built by Core Design from the ground up to fully utilize the power of PlayStation 2 and the latest PC graphics cards. Lara is now made up of over 5,000 polygons as opposed to just 500 in previous Tomb Raider games. Players must traverse an intricately detailed world, taking them from the back streets of Paris to the hellish depths of Prague.

In addition, Eidos reinforces its dedication to developing platform-leading, high-quality brands. Among the new games highlighted during the show are:

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin (PlayStation 2, PC and Xbox) – In this first and third person stealth shooter game, gamers play the role of a retired assassin (Agent 47) forced back into action. Visit the dark recesses of a world corrupted by crime, greed, degradation and dishonor. Caught in the middle of a ring of deception, Agent 47 attempts to track down the organization that has set him up and forced him out of retirement.

TimeSplitters 2 (PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube) – Created by members of the original GoldenEye team, this T-rated first person shooter treats gamers to an unimaginable gaming experience. A rift in space and time has been discovered, operated by the malicious TimeSplitters. They have been traveling back into human history authoring events that have led to the enslavement of mankind, and it’s up to the player(s) to stop them.

Praetorians (PC) – Praetorians is an epic 3D troop-based strategy game set amidst the political machinations of an emerging Roman Empire. Gamers will be transported back to the dusty battlefields of Egypt, the combat theatres of Gaul, and finally to the heart of the Empire itself. Gamers will attempt to defeat thousands of different troop types and war machines, all with special skills and individual strengths. Praetorians emphasize strategy, and gamers must learn to combine their units and exploit the weakness of the enemy.

Legaia 2: Duel Saga (PlayStation 2) – Originally released in Japan only, Legaia 2 is a recent addition to Eidos’ Fresh Games line-up. Legaia 2 is a Japanese turn-based RPG, which features real-time backgrounds and voice acting. Eidos will translate and localize the game for the Western market.

Spring Break (PC) - Set on a chain of exotic tropical islands, players compete to create the most successful vacation experience. Gamers build all-inclusive resorts featuring beautiful hotels, bars, night-clubs, restaurants, water sports, a variety of spring break activities, and more. Once the party is created, players sit back and watch all the self-indulgent visitors’ fun in the sun.

Republic (PC) – Described as "one of the most ambitious games ever conceived" by games industry bible Edge magazine, Republic places gamers in the role of a faction leader intent on becoming the President… by fair means or foul. Starting with a single loyal supporter, a tiny secret HQ and a very small base of local support, you must build up a nationwide party powerful enough to oust the President and rule the Republic of Novistrana.

Eidos Interactive’s Background Information

Eidos Interactive, Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment products for the PC, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube™ and the Xboxä video game system from Microsoft. Eidos Interactive is part of London-based Eidos plc with additional offices in San Francisco, Paris, Hamburg, Tokyo and Singapore. For more information on Eidos Interactive's product line visit http://www.eidos.com