Lego Star Wars lifts SCi earnings

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Jan 23, 2006 8:59 am PT

Eidos owner exceeds six-month sales target by $26.8 million; stock rises, guidance remains unchanged, as takeover rumors persist.

When SCi Entertainment Plc purchased rival publisher Eidos Interactive Plc last year, it was considered to be a bit of a gamble. Today, though, it appeared that gamble had paid off, as SCi announced it had exceeded its internal earnings targets since the Eidos acquisition.

For the six months ending December 31, 2005, the company reported more than 40 million pounds ($71.4 million)--15 million pounds ($26.8 million) more than the company's internal projections. The news was a tonic to SCi's stock, as its share price rose 2.56 percent to close at 5.01 pounds ($8.94).

Why the big spike? The force of the Star Wars films--in lego form. "Additional sales arose primarily from the continued distribution of Lego Star Wars, on Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Game Boy Advance," the company said in a statement to Reuters. The game has sold in excess of 3 million units over all platforms, according to the company, which said it did particularly well in the US.

In spite of today's news, SCi's outlook for the second half of its fiscal year remains guarded. "As the major portion of the Group's revenues arise in the second half of the financial year to 30 June 2006, the Group has not revised its internal budget for the financial year as a whole," SCi said in a statement. The period will see the release of the latest installments in two of Eidos' highest-profile franchises, Hitman: Blood Money (PC, PS2, Xbox) and Tomb Raider Legend (PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360). That said, it has gotten off to an inauspicious start, with the release of the controversial and critically drubbed 25 to Life (PC, PS2, Xbox).

Eidos also briefly commented on the rumors that it will itself soon be taken over. Last October, the UK-based publisher said it had been approached by possible suitors, one of which unconfirmed reports pegged as US-based Midway Games. "The Board remains in discussions and will update shareholders as to any developments when appropriate," the company said.

30 Comments

  • mierdahp

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 2:11 pm PT

    Awsome, I guess ill reconsider selling it, because i still play it.

  • LanceJohnson

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 10:07 am PT

    No wonder, Star Wars Lego sp and mp both own.

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 7:45 am PT

    Lego Star Wars was a surprisingly fun game. I'm glad it was able to give SCi a boost.

  • ewjim

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:08 am PT

    When Eidos make SOMETHING new?!? Never?!??

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:02 am PT

    legos were cool back in the day before they came out with all these stupid licensed sets (harry potter, spider man, star wars, etc)

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 11:35 pm PT

    hmmmmm............eidos making money?

  • Mitrix

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 4:15 pm PT

    Eidos is a great game developper!!!

  • Zorak000

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 3:06 pm PT

    Elaborate gameplay is not all that matters. LSW shows us that and it works seamlessly. they focused on Quality and not Quantity.

  • Redhead108932

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 2:40 pm PT

    thats was suprising

  • blackIceJoe

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 2:40 pm PT

    I really loved that game it was a sweet game to play.I hope we can see a number two of Lego Star wars and this time it be 4,5,and 6 that would be an awesome game.

  • DELTAsnake

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 2:29 pm PT

    I thought that LSW was a terible idea, but then played it and couldn't stop for about 2 months. Its really odd that a game for 6 year olds could be so dam fun for a 21 year old gamer and all his 18 - 29 friends.

  • nemes1s3000

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 1:33 pm PT

    Dear lord..

  • NeoJedi

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 1:23 pm PT

    Good to see the success of another Star Wars title. I haven't played the game yet, but I'm happy to see it is doing well.

  • -Gurkins-

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 1:12 pm PT

    w00t for Lego Star Wars, Like people say, it's awful 1 player, superb and exciting 2 player.

  • MeTaL-HeaD

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 12:04 pm PT

    Oh God, Not another one

  • XlpranksterlX

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 11:54 am PT

    Slightly surprising that a game with 2 huge licenses working in conjunction could sell so much.

    /end sarcasm

  • Shtinky

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 11:10 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • Shtinky

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 11:10 am PT

    This is great news, great news for british developers too.

  • Viquist

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 10:41 am PT

    Great news for them and the Gaming Industry in general

  • mrimkeit

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 10:09 am PT

    Sweet, Lego Star Wars rocks! Lego rocks for ever, and kids will always love Lego. Yah know Kojima designed the game level designs of MGS1 all in Lego's before they did it a computer? Lego's, good for a lot of things.

Lego Star Wars Quick Links

Summary | Reviews | News | Previews & Features | Images | Videos | Answers | Hints & Cheats | Forum | Check Prices

Check Prices

GameStop $9.99 SHOP ›
advertisement
advertisement
Click Here
Lego Star Wars Boxshot Enlarge the boxshot
Lego Star Wars

Game Stats

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Games you may like…

Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.

See More Similar Games
advertisement