JAN. 22, 2009 • Despite the widespread interest in exploiting mobile game opportunities, Eidos shut down its Manchester studio (formerly Rockpool Games) that had been dedicated to mobile and casual development. Reining in costs was the reason given for the closure.

Impact: It’s been a tough couple of years for Eidos. When the latest Tomb Raider installment didn’t live up to sales expectations, the company was forced to cut costs it had hoped to forestall. Unfortunately for laid off staff, the £84.3 million ($122.9 million) buy out offer from Square Enix came several weeks too late. As it now seems like Time Warner Inc. has no intention of bidding up the price, despite its 20 percent stake in Eidos, it appears Lara Croft will take her new assignments from Japan.