Tomb late for Xmas

Launch Second blow for retailers as Tomb Raider 2 put on hold.

Games developer Eidos has left retailers in the lurch by delaying the launch of Tomb Raider 2, raising fears that the vendor will miss the lucrative Christmas sales period.

The game was due for release on 21 November, but the company has claimed the worldwide launch will have to be put off for another week until 28 November.

Many retailers are concerned the game won't appear on the delayed date of 28 November. Richard Gandy, purchasing director of Network Computer Buying Group, said: 'I'm always dubious about these dates. I've been in this business too long to be certain. This industry always struggles to launch on promised dates.'

Bart Saunt, senior product manager for games and multimedia at Virgin, agreed: 'The original street date for Tomb Raider 2 has stood for months, therefore a business of our size factors this into our budgeting. A move of a week up-sets that process.'

He further complained that the gaming industry was generally guilty of not following the discipline and project planning techniques taken for granted in the corporate IT market.

Jonathan Kemp, sales director at Eidos, said: 'The existing supply could not meet the demand we have,' but stressed the game would definitely make the revised date. He claimed the only reason for the delay was higher than expected demand from retailers.

Kemp also said the company decided to cancel the whole launch rather than just part of it because of fears over grey importing.

This is the second knock the retail industry has received in the run-up to Christmas. As exclusively revealed in PC Dealer (29 October), Psygnosis has suffered a legal battle with the Formula One Constructors Association over trademark problems with its game F1 97.

Last week, Psygnosis warned retailers it will be at least two weeks until Formula One 97 will be back in the shops. Retailers received a letter last week warning them of the continuing delay. Psygnosis refused to comment.