IndustryGamers - Informing the Games Industry

Warner Bros. and Eidos Agree to Begin Phasing Out Distribution

Posted June 1, 2009 by James Brightman

In 2006 Warner Bros. picked up a small stake in Eidos and reached an agreement to distribute certain Eidos titles. In December 2008 Warner Bros. then increased its stake in Eidos to nearly 20 percent as rumors began to swirl about the future of Eidos and who might acquire the publisher behind the Tomb Raider and Hitman franchises. 

With Japanese publisher Square Enix (Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest) recently finalizing its acquisition of Eidos, however, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) and Eidos jointly decided today that maintaining their current North American distribution agreement no longer makes sense. IndustryGamers obtained the following statement from WBIE and Eidos.

“Square Enix’s recent acquisition of Eidos Interactive, makes it advantageous for Square Enix and Eidos to modify their distribution strategy. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is handling the upcoming launches of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Mini Ninjas in North America as co-publisher. All other games, including Kane and Lynch 2, Just Cause 2 will be handled directly by Square Enix and Eidos. We’re working on other transition details, including catalogue products and will provide these details as soon as we have them worked out.”

James Brightman has been covering the games industry since 2003 and has been an avid gamer ever since the days of Atari and Intellivision. He was previously the EIC of GameDaily Biz.