Crispy Gamer News

Sometimes, when review scores look like they are going to be very bad for a game, instead of trying to control the message, publishers may try to control the timing. That is apparently the case with Tomb Raider Underworld reviews going live in the United Kingdom. John Keefer wrote an article about this in Sept. (see From the Pulpit: Are Embargoes Really Necessary? ) , and stories like this only further the need to examine the use of embargoes.

The first hint that this was happening came from a twitter post from Gamespot UK journalist Guy Cocker, who said that Eidos’ UK PR representatives had asked journalists to not post a review if the score was below 8.0.

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Eidos and EA Mobile are teaming to bring some of its popular franchises to mobile devices, starting with the irrepressible Lara Croft and some casual game properties. The initial result of this agreement will be four titles Tomb Raider Underworld, Just Cause 2, California Games X and Minesweeper, with an option to create more games for up to a three year period.

EA Mobile did not disclose when these games will be released, but we will keep you posted, as always.

Angelina Jolie? Who the hell is that? Meet the new face of Lara Croft: world-class gymnast Alison Carroll. Alison will not be starring in any half-assed movies though, thank god. She will serve as the real world face of protagonist Lara Croft in a worldwide promotional tour for the upcoming game Tomb Raider Underworld.

Eidos says that Alison captures the essential characteristics at the core of Lara Croft’s personality — brawn, brains and beauty. Eidos feels that she also captures the athleticism of Lara in the latest game, which makes sense given her own ultra awesome skills as a gymnast.

Tomb Raider: Underworld launches November 2008 and is co-published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in North America.

Screens from Lara Croft’s newest adventure from Eidos.

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From E3 today Eidos announced that its latest Lara Croft adventure will be released November 18th. The game will be released simultaneously for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, DS, and PC. With development led by Crystal Dynamics, Underworld takes players on an adventure designed specifically for next generation consoles featuring an all new storyline a refined game world and a brand new storyline..

We’ll have a full preview of the game shortly, so keep your eyes on our E3 Hub.

Like some wounded sea turtle seeking the shelter of a coral-clad rock, Eidos is simply refusing to quit. (I’ve been hired at Crispy exclusively for my stellar analogies and awesome good looks.)

And why would they?

With the massive release that is Age of Conan, and with the Tomb Raider series finally back on track with TR: Legends and now TR: Underworld (thank you, Toby Gard!), the SCi/Warner Bros owned company is starting to look lively again.

That said, the official website for Tomb Raider: Underworld is now live. Eidos has narrowed down the game’s release window to November for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PS2 and PC.

Additionally, they shed some more light on the title’s backdrop — word is Ms. Croft is seeking “the secrets of the Norse underworld and a forgotten power.”

If the forgotten power was so damn powerful, how did it get forgotten?!