Compiled by Cassie Weed
With 567 employees world-wide, including more than 250 developers, and access to a further 650 developers at associated companies, Eidos is one MASSIVE company with a lot of power in their games.
1990
Eidos forms as a video compression R&D company. This business still forms the core of the Eidos Technologies entity.
JULY 1994
Charles Cornwall joins the company as Chairman. Appointed CEO in October 1995.
OCTOBER 1995
Eidos moves into the entertainment software market with the acquisition of Domark and obtains a full listing on the London Stock Exchange. As a result of the deal Ian Livingstone joins as Chairman of Eidos. Championship Manager 2 is released.
APRIL 1996
Eidos strengthens its position in the industry with acquisition of the Centregold Group, which includes Core Design (developer of Tomb Raider) and US Gold. Offices in US, France, and Germany obtained as part of the acquisition. The distribution element, Centresoft, is sold to a management buyout as part of the strategy of focusing solely on developing and publishing.
NOVEMBER 1996
Tomb Raider is released on PlayStation and PC.
DECEMBER 1996
Secondary listing obtained on NASDAQ.
JANUARY 1997
10 year publishing and development deal signed with John Romero and Ian Storm
APRIL 1997
$50 million dollar convertible bond issued
NOVEMBER 1997
Tomb Raider II released on PlayStation and PC.
DECEMBER 1997
Joint venture agreed with Opticom ASA for the development of a revolutionary computer games storage device.
European rights obtained to release the PC version of Final Fantasy VII.
MARCH 1998
Eidos announces annual revenues in excess of 100 million pounds for the first time, with total revenue for the year ended 31 March 1998 of 137.2 million and profit before tax of 16.5 million pounds.
JUNE 1998
Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines is released and goes on to become the second largest selling PC title in Europe in 1998 behind only Tomb Raider III. To date it has sold 1.3 million units on PC only.
JULY 1998
Eidos sets up Japanese offices in Tokyo.
SEPTEMBER 1998
Eidos obtains exclusive license for UEFA Champions League; Eidos acquires US developer Crystal Dynamics for $47 million. The deal gives Eidos the rights to franchises including Soul Reaver, Gex, and Pandemonium.
NOVEMBER 1998
Tomb Raider III released on PlayStation and PC; Eidos sets up office in Singapore
JANUARY 1999
Eidos makes a deal with Video System to publish Official Formula 1 racing games on PC and PSX
FEBRUARY 1999
Eidos obtains long term publishing deal with Elixir Studios, founded by Demis Hassabis co-creator of Theme Park. Equity stake taken in August 1999. Eidos and Easynet launch the "free of subscription" internet service Eidosnet
MARCH 1999
Championship Manager 3 is released and becomes the fastest selling fame in UK PC history. 55k copies in 2 days
AUGUST 1999
Eidos obtains European PC publishing rights to Final Fantasy VIII