Kotaku: tomb raider anniversary

Get Your Hands on Lara Croft For (Almost) Free

torif — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:30:21 MST

Lara Croft is ten years old today (doesn't that make you feel dirty?), and to celebrate, Eidos is letting you play Tomb Raider Anniversary for free.

Of course, nothing in life is truly free, is it? You can access the game through TrialPay, an alternative payment service, but only after you sign up to try or buy an offer from one of their blue-chip advertisers. To sign up for your free subscription to Tomb Raider Anniversary, go to the TrialPay sign-up page.

See? Lara's a classy broad. She wouldn't be givin' it away for nothin'! Her momma raised her better than that!

EIDOS PARTNERS WITH TRIALPAY TO GIVE PLAYERS THOUSANDS OF WAYS TO GET TOMB RAIDER ANNIVERSARY FOR FREE
Mountain View, Calif. - February 15, 2008 - Lara Croft celebrates her
birthday this Valentine's Day and to commemorate the event, Eidos is
inviting players to enjoy Tomb Raider Anniversary for free. Eidos, a
world-leader in entertainment software, and TrialPay, the leader in
alternative payments, have partnered to make it even easier for customers
all over the world to play Tomb Raider.

Using TrialPay, players get a free subscription to Tomb Raider Anniversary
by trying or buying an offer from blue-chip advertisers. With TrialPay
everyone wins!

"I can't think of a better way to celebrate Lara Croft's 10th anniversary
than by letting loyal players get the new Tomb Raider Anniversary game for
free," said Dave Clark, vice president of new business development for
Eidos. "Through our partnership with TrialPay, more players will be able to
enjoy the Tomb Raider series, and these players get a great deal which
fosters the brand loyalty that has made Lara Croft the first lady of gaming
for a decade."

Tomb Raider Anniversary commemorates this occasion by offering a
revisualization of a gaming classic using advanced rendering technology to
bring the original Tomb Raider Game to life for today's audience. And
through this partnership with TrialPay, anyone can get the game for free by
completing one offer from the brand of his or her choice.

"TrialPay lets millions of Tomb Raider fans get the Anniversary game for
free by trying or buying an offer from their preferred brands," said Alex
Rampell, TrialPay's CEO. "We are extremely proud to partner with Eidos for
Lara Croft's 10th anniversary."

Eidos has promoted this free method for getting Tomb Raider Anniversary
through e-mail and online merchandising campaigns and will continue adding
more touchpoints in the next few months.

To get Tomb Raider Anniversary for free through TrialPay:
http://www.trialpay.com/stores/eidos/laracroft?tid=9ahB9aF

For more information on TrialPay: www.trialpay.com

About Eidos
Based in Wimbledon, South London, Eidos Interactive Ltd, part of SCi
Entertainment Group Plc (SEG), is one of the world's leading developers of
entertainment software. Eidos consists of publishing operations across
Europe and the US and several development studios including Crystal
Dynamics, IO Interactive and Pivotal Games as well as a valuable stake in
other studios.

About TrialPay
TrialPay unites advertisers, merchants and shoppers to create the first
payment platform that benefits all parties. Using TrialPay, merchants turn
lost and indecisive shoppers into paying customers by giving away their
product for free when a shopper completes an offer from blue-chip
advertisers like American Express, Gap, FTD, eBay and thousands more.
Advertisers pay a bounty that equals or exceeds the merchant's regular price
to create a profitable transaction out of a stalled or abandoned cart.
TrialPay ensures that every shopper finds an offer that compels him or her
to purchase by pairing premium brands with the added value of a free
product. With TrialPay everyone wins: shoppers get a free product,
advertisers acquire new customers and merchants earn significant revenue
from lost or unlikely customers.

TrialPay works with over 2,500 premium merchants, including McAfee, The Wall
Street Journal, Skype and other industry leaders in software, games,
publishing, online services and retail. TrialPay currently has more than 4.5
million registered users and adds 15,000 new users every day.

Tomb Raider Anniversary Hits Xbox Live

Mike Fahey — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:30:50 MST

Lara Croft's updated first adventure has been in stores since late last month for the Xbox 360, and many of you chose not to pick it up, either not giving a damn or just plain laziness. Good news for the latter group! Now Tomb Raider Anniversary is available for download via Xbox Live in two, 1200 point downloads. Unless my math is off, and it generally is, that comes out to around $30 for the game, $10 off the retail price. The downside? If you've not upgraded to a large 360 hard drive, the 3GB of space this baby takes up is a huge chunk of hard disk real estate, if you're so inclined, the game is listed under Tomb Raider: Legend in the new games section of the download service. An excellent way to cope with post Thanksgiving lethargy...or just general American lethargy for that matter. We yanks love our sitting on our asses.

Tomb Raider Anniversary 360 Plans Fleshed Out

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:40:41 MDT

After a somewhat confusing reveal of Eidos' plans for Tomb Raider Anniversary on the Xbox 360, it appears that the remake of Lara Croft's original adventure has been nailed down. What was originally scheduled first as an Xbox Live Arcade release, one that requires ownership of Tomb Raider Legend, will come first as a standard retail release. Eidos will release Tomb Raider Anniversary for the 360 next week, October 23 in the U.S. and October 26th in Europe.

A pair of downloadable releases, still with the same Tomb Raider Legend requirement, will follow in November. Got it?

Week in Games: Boogie Edition

fdemarco — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 18:00:00 MDT

This week's new release list is looking rather anemic with half the list being populated by Mega Man titles. I am, however, looking forward to playing Boogie as it was one of my favorite games I played at E3. It was fun, simple and made me laugh a lot. Anybody else going to check it out?

Boogie (WII)
Sing, dance and create your own videos with a great songlist.

Mega Man Star Force: Dragon (DS)
Mega Man goes the Pokemon route, releasing three slightly different versions of the same game. Dragon is exclusive to Gamestop/EB Games.

Mega Man Star Force: Leo
(DS)
Mega Man goes the Pokemon route, releasing three slightly different versions of the same game. This one is Liony.

Mega Man Star Force: Pegasus (DS)
Mega Man goes the Pokemon route, releasing three slightly different versions of the same game. This one is Pegasusy.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary (PSP)
Ms. Croft's redesigned first adventure comes to the PSP

Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars (PSP)
Crazy Taxi 1 & 2 speed on to the PSP with new co-op modes and other cool stuff

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:40:31 MDT

What little gaming time I have during the week is often in bite sized chunks. A quest in Diablo II here. Some Jet Grind Radio there. The new games I've purchased over the past weeks mostly sit idly or are enjoyed by my house's other residents. For instance, I've had a wonderful time watching Tomb Raider: Anniversary being played, offering backseat gamer suggestions and strategies, longing to get off the laptop and get my hands on a controller. This weekend, however, I'll be plowing through some new and old titles.

I downloaded Super Stardust HD from the PlayStation Store last night, impressions of which will follow later in the day. Following a discussion with N'Gai Croal of Level Up fame over drinks and Madden NFL 08, I have a renewed interest in revisiting Manhunt. Yes, I may have been in my cups at the time, perhaps too deep, but I'm pretty sure I told Croal that I considered the Rockstar Games splatterfest one of the most important console games of the previous generation. I should reevaluate that with a bit more playtime, me thinks.

And you? What are you playing this weekend? Anyone got E3 Fever yet?

Lara Croft Raids Women's Only Beach With Sexy Results

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:40:44 MDT

Lara Croft (as portrayed by Karima Adebibe) took a break from promoting Tomb Raider: Anniversary to head to the beach—to promote Tomb Raider: Anniversary. This isn't any old regular beach, this is a beach for women only. Reminds me of a film series I enjoyed in college titled Where The Boys Aren't, but with safe for workiness.

Anyway, Adebibe stood next to some less-dressed ladies in Riccione, an "exclusive resort" in Rimini, Italy for a series of photo ops that will see Earth's horniest experience a renewed interest in the PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 and PSP game.

Further information you're not going to care about include that the beach's celebratory opening was held in conjunction with Miss Muretto, a beauty contest for "younger girls" and that the dude-free location has been dubbed Pink Beach.

What you probably will care about? Bonus pic after the jump!

Lara Croft! Hero of the ladies only beach! Michael McWhertor

GameTap Coming Mac OS X

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 19:20:19 MDT

Turner Broadcasting's subscription gaming service GameTap is coming to Intel-based Mac users on June 28th. The GameTap Lite service, an ad supported offshoot, will launch for Mac users near the end of the month, with the full-fledged, pay-to-play service arriving later in the summer.

The GameTap client for Macintosh will rely on Cider, the "wrapper" that allows Windows-based games to play on Mac OSX. That means some of GameTap's offerings won't be immediately available to Mac gamers, including releases like Sam & Max, Tomb Raider: Anniversary and Far Cry.

GameTap for Mac users will, however, have access to over 500 classic games, including titles released for the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast when the full service is launched. Michael McWhertor

GameTap to bring classic gaming service for Mac [MacWorld]

Tomb Raider: Anniversary Episodes Confirmed For XBLA

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:20:28 MDT

Eidos has confirmed speculation that Tomb Raider: Anniversary for the Xbox 360 will be an episodic affair, with releases beginning in the fall and requiring ownership of Tomb Raider Legend. However, gamers looking for a more traditional approach will be relieved to read that a full retail release of the game, already available for the PC and PlayStation 2, will come "later in the year."

The first two episodes will appear on Xbox Live this September, with the other two released shortly thereafter. The total cost for all four will be 2400 Microsoft Points, on par with the current releases. The game's training area, Croft Manor, will be free—if you buy one the episodic sets.

I'm not sure how I feel about this new trend of dual-released content, but I'm starting to think I... like it? Michael McWhertor

Tomb Raider Secures World First With Microsoft

Episodic Serialization on Xbox 360 for Tomb Raider Anniversary

Eidos Interactive Ltd., part of SCi Entertainment Group, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, is pleased to announce that the latest Lara Croft adventure, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, will be released on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, initially in the form of downloadable episodic content which will be available for purchase to owners of Tomb Raider Legend on Xbox 360.

This is the first time ever that the serialization of a full retail game will be available for purchase through Xbox Live® Marketplace. The game will be available in four episodes; Episodes 1 & 2 will be available in September, with the next two episodes arriving shortly afterwards. A full retail version is planned to be released for Xbox 360 later in the year.

"We have created this version of Anniversary specifically for digital distribution as episodic content. This is part of our strategy to grow our presence in online and digital distribution as we believe there are huge growth opportunities arising from this delivery format and we intend to capitalize on the increasing demand for digitally downloaded content," said Jane Cavanagh, Chief Executive, Eidos. "Lara has always been at the forefront of technology and this world first initiative with Microsoft really highlights that fact. Ultimately we also intend to make the title available at retail so that it reaches the maximum possible audience."

"We're continuing to break new ground in getting incredible gaming experiences in the hands of consumers," said George Peckham, General Manager of 3rd Party Publishing, Xbox, Microsoft. "We're excited to be able to deliver one of the most well-recognized franchises in video game history with Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary to our more than six million Xbox Live members worldwide in the form of episodic content."

The market for digital download of core PC and console games is expected to exceed $289 million by 2010, with Games on Demand services topping $104 million (ScreenDigest). Microsoft's Xbox Live online gaming network can already boast over 2.3 billion hours of online gaming (this is equal to 95 million days or over 260,000 years) since its launch in 2004. Xbox 360 owners have activated more than 5 billion points (over $60 million) on marketplace with over 135 million downloads since the launch of Xbox 360 in 2005.

Inspired by the first Tomb Raider videogame, originally released in 1996, LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: ANNIVERSARY is a totally new adventure for Lara, faithfully preserving the elements which made the original Tomb Raider such a classic (selling over 7 million copies worldwide). The Tomb Raider series is still one of the best selling videogame franchises of all time with over 32 million copies sold and two major feature films released, starring Angelina Jolie.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary has also launched on Windows as part of Microsoft's Games for Windows initiative, offering reliability, compatibility, and full support for play under Windows Vista™.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary will be available on Xbox 360 - episodically - from September. The Games for Windows® and PlayStation 2 versions have now been released worldwide, with both versions currently at No.1 in the UK and Germany in their respective charts, and No.1 in France on PC. A PSP version is due soon and a Nintendo Wii version is in development.

In order to access Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary downloadable episodic content for Xbox 360, players will require a Lara Croft Tomb Raider Legend disc. The episodes will cost 2400 Microsoft points for all four episodes, and will be released in two separate launches. Episodes 1 & 2 will be released in September and episodes 3 & 4 will follow shortly afterwards. The Croft Manor level will be free to download with both sets of episodes. Additional Tomb Raider Anniversary downloadable content will also become available for purchase on Marketplace to support the launch of Tomb Raider Episodic such as picture packs and theme packs.

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:40:41 MDT

With a fiesta throwing down at Casa de McWhertor tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if it ultimately wound down with a late night series of Guitar Hero II battles. Be warned party-goers, I'm bringing my A-game to my performance of Lamb of God's "Laid to Rest."

For tomorrow's hangover, I'm going to need not only a chili verde burrito to wash away tonight's sins, but seek redemption with a return to Diablo II. My paladin is just about ready to take on Baal, so if anyone wants to meet up for some Battle.net action in Nightmare difficulty, shoot me an e-mail. My chipped gem cup runneth over.

I was a little slow getting to Gunpey and Tomb Raider: Anniversary, as promised last week, but as things wind down, they'll both be getting some attention. Your turn. What are you playing this weekend? Michael McWhertor

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:40:41 MDT

Ah, the weekend. On Wednesdays it can't come soon enough. But today, there's an internal struggle as I look forward to it, yet cannot wait for it to pass. See, on Tuesday, Crecente and I are heading to the Playboy Mansion for an important event of some sort. I keep forgetting what that event is, but it's at the Playboy Mansion. The rest of the week is filled with a BioShock preview, many musical outings, and a soiree at Casa de McWhertor. So much to do!

In an effort to while away the time, I'll be playing some new purchases. I snapped up Tomb Raider: Anniversary for the PlayStation 2 and Gunpey for the PSP last night, in addition to a Wii Classic Controller. I'll be going nuts with all three, finding time to squeeze in a little Diablo II, Odin Sphere and Warhawk beta when the time presents itself.

Yes, sleep is out. I'll also be eating standing up and brushing my teeth in the shower. So what are you looking forward to? And what are you playing this weekend? Michael McWhertor

Tomb Raider: Anniversary Coming To 360

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:40:50 MDT

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board is now listing Tomb Raider: Anniversary for the Xbox 360, giving the games a T rating. That's right, "games."

The ESRB shows five separate entries for Tomb Raider: Anniversary for the Xbox 360, each with specific locations—Croft Manor, Peru, Greece, Egypt and Lost City. Based on these titles, one could assume that the game will be split into the five distinct levels from the original Tomb Raider and distributed over Xbox Live episodically. We're waiting to hear back from Eidos to find out if this assumption is correct.

I'm going to pick up the PlayStation 2 version of the game tonight, but I'm guessing some Xbox 360 owners will be quite pleased to read this. Michael McWhertor

ESRB Game Ratings

Week in Games: Tomb Raider: Anniversary Edition

fdemarco — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 18:00:00 MDT

Looks like Ms. Croft is making a triumphant return to her roots this week with Tomb Raider: Anniversary. I'm rather looking forward to checking it out as I really liked the first game and the comparison video looks amazing. Everything else I think I can pass on. What do you think? Are you gonna show Lara some retro love? Flynn De Marco

Tomb Raider: Anniversary (PC, PS2, PSP) Lara's first adventure revamped. She's got a makeover and she's not afraid to use it.
Call of Juarez (X360, PC)
Can you resist the call of olde Mexico?
Hospital Tycoon (PC)
Create your own General Hospital. Someone call Luke and Laura.
Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu(DS)
The super popular series gets another title on the DS
Planet Puzzle League (DS)
No, it's not a new superhero group, it's a puzzle game.
Puzzle Scape (PSP)
Not to be one upped, the PSP gets a puzzle game too.
The Sims 2: H&M Stuff (PC)
Man, these Sims have more crap than I do

Tomb Raider vs. Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 31 May 2007 19:20:40 MDT

To say that I'm somewhat excited for Tomb Raider: Anniversary would be an understatement and an insult to your ability to read my posts over the past few weeks. While I'm not some dyed in the wool uber fan, I've got a soft spot for the original, so a chance to revisit the game with tolerable graphics is just my speed. Anyway, GameTrailers put together this spiffy clip comparing the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 versions showing just how far we've come graphically (even with a last-gen visual handicap) since the original. Lever switching and wolf slaughtering never looked so good. Michael McWhertor

A Gathering Of Laras

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 30 May 2007 17:20:12 MDT

After the release of the first Tomb Raider, it became clear that the anticipation surrounding each sequel was generally focused on which new real-life model could better squeeze herself into the official pair of Lara Croft short shorts. Always looking to outdo the previous Lara's ability to fill out the tight vinyl top, we've generally been more impressed with the successive twenty-something ladies than with the videogames themselves.

For the upcoming release of Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Eidos has dug up most of the previous flesh and blood Lara Croft models, decked them out in slimming black vinyl and flattering lighting, then paid them to stand side-by-side for your gawking pleasure. IGN's got the exclusive pics of the Lara reunion, with one Lara, the semi-successful Rhona Mitra noticeably absent.

Even though we're one Lara short, it's nothing short of airbrushed perfection! Michael McWhertor

Lara Croft Reunion [IGN]

Tomb Raider Anniversary Gets Steamy

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 29 May 2007 17:20:22 MDT

Eidos, a publisher well-represented on the Steam platform, is bringing Tomb Raider Anniversary to Valve's digital distribution service with pre-orders (and pre-loads) kicking off today. Like its more traditional paper and plastic sister releases, the download of the eleventh anniversary of Lara's original PC, PlayStation and Saturn outing will cost $29.95 USD and be available to play on June 5 in North and South America. According to Valve, other unspecified regions will get the game a few days earlier on June 1.

I'll hold off for the PS2 version, as I'm sadly well below the "recommended" PC specs for the game. Imagine that, owning a PC that can't handle Tomb Raider. Truly at rock bottom. Michael McWhertor

EIDOS TO DISTRIBUTE LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: ANNIVERSARY ON STEAM

New installment in legendary game series available for pre-order

May 29, 2007 — Eidos Interactive, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, will release Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary on Steam, a leading digital distribution platform for PC games, on June 1 throughout most of the world and on June 5 in North and South America. Pre-orders start on May 29. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary joins a growing catalog of new and best-selling PC titles from Eidos available on Steam.

Inspired by the first Tomb Raider videogame, originally released in 1996, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a totally new 2007 adventure for Lara, faithfully preserving the elements which made the original Tomb Raider such a classic, selling over 7 million copies worldwide. The Tomb Raider series is still one of the best selling videogame franchises of all time with over 30 million copies sold and two major feature films released, starring Angelina Jolie.

Using an enhanced 'Tomb Raider Legend' game engine, the graphics, technology, physics and engine bring Lara's adventure and pursuit of a mystical artefact known only as the Scion right up to today's technology standards and will offer gamers a completely new gameplay experience.

Customers who purchase Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary via Steam benefit from fast downloads straight to their desktop with automatic updates and access to a massive gaming community. For more information, please visit: www.steamgames.com.

About Eidos Interactive Ltd
Eidos Interactive Ltd is part of SCi Entertainment Group Plc (SEG) one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software. Eidos consists of publishing operations across Europe and the US and several development studios including Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive, Beautiful Game Studios, Eidos Studios Hungary, Eidos Sweden and Pivotal Games. The Group has a valuable combined portfolio of intellectual property including: Tomb Raider, Hitman, Deus Ex, Battlestations Midway, and Just Cause.

Tomb Raider Anniversary Gets Wii Port

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 14 May 2007 21:40:18 MDT

Eidos is making one more stop on the Tomb Raider Anniversary cash-in tour, giving Wii owners a chance to relive Lara Croft's original PC and PlayStation adventure. The game is built on the Tomb Raider Legends engine, quite pretty I might add, and promises its share of Wii-remote and nunchuk specific controls.

Tomb Raider Anniversary will ship on the Wii well after the PC, PSP and PlayStation 2 editions which are scheduled for release next month. IGN has additional details in the form of an interview with Eidos' own Bill Gardner. Michael McWhertor

Eidos Talks Wii Lara Croft [IGN]

Tomb Raider Anniversary Brings Lara Back In June

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:20:37 MDT

To celebrate the momentous ten-year... wait, eleven-year anniversary of Lara Croft's PlayStation and PC debut, Eidos has gone back to the beginning. As you're probably well aware by now, Tomb Raider Anniversary is the remade, remixed revisit of the original Tomb Raider with updated graphics and gameplay.

It's been a bit delayed, obviously, but word from Eidos is that we can finally expect Lara's reimagined raids of Egypt, Peru, Greece and Atlantis to ship on June 5th for the PC and PS2. A PSP version is expected, but still not firmly dated.

Anyone else out there, desperately in need of some indigenous wildlife killing, picking this up? Michael McWhertor

Tomb Raider Anniversary [Eidos]

Clips: Tomb Raider Anniversary Trailer

fdemarco — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 10:00:08 MST

Crystal Dynamics and Eidos are teaming together again for a new Tomb Raider. This time it's to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the hit or miss franchise and we now get to see some footage from the upcoming Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Lara has undergone yet another transformation for the new game, looking smoother and more realistic than she did in Tomb Raider: Legend.

The game itself is a sort of redux of the original using a lot of the same environment and enemies albeit with a new and improved graphical look. Lara herself has even reverted back to her old blue t-shirt look. The trailer looks pretty amazing, let's just hope the game lives up to it. Flynn De Marco