# Eidos Interactive

> British video game publisher

**Wikidata**: [Q679933](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q679933)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidos_Interactive)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eidos-interactive

## Summary
Eidos Interactive was a British video game publisher and developer founded in 1990. It was best known for publishing the Tomb Raider series and was acquired by Square Enix in 2009.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1990 in the United Kingdom
- Acquired by Square Enix in 2009
- Known for publishing the Tomb Raider series
- Employed approximately 600 people at its peak
- Headquartered in London at 240 Blackfriars Road
- Owned subsidiaries including Core Design, IO Interactive, and Eidos Montreal
- Replaced U.S. Gold as a publisher
- Dissolved in 2009 after Square Enix acquisition

## FAQs
### Q: What is Eidos Interactive known for?
A: Eidos Interactive is best known for publishing the Tomb Raider series of video games, which became one of the most successful and influential franchises in gaming history.

### Q: When was Eidos Interactive founded and by whom?
A: Eidos Interactive was founded in 1990 in the United Kingdom. The company was founded by Stephen B. Streater.

### Q: What happened to Eidos Interactive?
A: Eidos Interactive was acquired by Square Enix in 2009 and subsequently dissolved as a separate entity, with its studios and intellectual properties becoming part of Square Enix's operations.

## Why It Matters
Eidos Interactive played a pivotal role in shaping the modern video game industry, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s. The company was instrumental in bringing cinematic storytelling and sophisticated 3D graphics to mainstream gaming through titles like Tomb Raider, which helped establish the action-adventure genre as we know it today. Eidos also demonstrated the commercial viability of mature-themed games and helped push the industry toward more complex narratives and character development. Its acquisition by Square Enix represented a significant consolidation in the gaming industry, combining Western and Japanese gaming expertise. The legacy of Eidos lives on through its influential game franchises and the talented developers who worked there, many of whom continue to shape the industry at Square Enix and other major studios.

## Notable For
- Publishing the groundbreaking Tomb Raider series, which sold over 85 million copies worldwide
- Developing and publishing Deus Ex, a critically acclaimed cyberpunk RPG that influenced the genre
- Creating Championship Manager, a highly successful sports management simulation series
- Being one of the first Western publishers to successfully adapt Japanese game development philosophies
- Establishing Eidos Montreal, which went on to develop critically acclaimed reboots of Deus Ex and Thief

## Body
### History and Formation
Eidos Interactive was formed in 1990 through the merger of several British game companies, including Domark Software and the publisher U.S. Gold. The company quickly established itself as a major player in the European gaming market, focusing on both publishing and development.

### Major Acquisitions and Growth
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Eidos expanded through strategic acquisitions, purchasing studios like Core Design (developer of Tomb Raider), IO Interactive (Hitman series), and Crystal Dynamics. These acquisitions helped Eidos build a diverse portfolio of intellectual properties and development talent.

### Peak Success and Challenges
The company reached its commercial peak in the early 2000s, with Tomb Raider becoming a global phenomenon. However, Eidos faced financial difficulties in the mid-2000s, leading to restructuring efforts and eventual acquisition by Square Enix in 2009 for £84.3 million.

### Legacy and Impact
Even after dissolution, Eidos' influence continues through its game franchises and the studios it helped establish. The Tomb Raider series remains active under Square Enix, and Eidos Montreal continues to develop high-profile titles. The company's approach to cinematic gaming and character-driven narratives helped shape modern game design standards.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "Eidos Interactive",
  "description": "British video game publisher and developer known for publishing the Tomb Raider series",
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  "foundingDate": "1990",
  "dissolutionDate": "2009",
  "country": "United Kingdom",
  "industry": "video game industry"
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## References

1. LastDodo
2. National Software Reference Library
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. Quora
6. VideoGameGeek
7. Wikirate