Rebellion finalizes Core buyout

In June 2003, following disappointing sales of Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness and a very scathing, very public attack on the game by the producers of the movie Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, Eidos Interactive took the franchise away from veteran UK studio Core Design and handed it instead to US-based Crystal Dynamics. It also released a statement, detailing its intention to reevaluate the position of Core within the group, leading to speculation it would be sold or disbanded.

Three years later, during which time an ailing Eidos was itself bought up by SCi Entertainment Group, the situation has finally been resolved. UK outfit Rebellion, just over a month after buying up some of Core's assets, has now finalized its purchase of the rest of the company, including the staff and premises. The move comes after a bit of industry speculation surrounding Rebellion, who earlier this month denied that a possible purchase of Empire Interactive was on the cards.

Rebellion and Eidos have some history, having worked together on Rogue Trooper, and ties between the companies will remain close. Rebellion's newly acquired team will continue to work with Eidos on a currently unnamed new project. The deal will also see Eidos retain the Core Design name and all intellectual property associated with it, although significant releases under the Core banner have been scarce since Angel of Darkness.