Eidos on verge of buyout?

Eidos has confirmed that it is in early talks for a potential acquisition of the publisher.

The confirmation comes off the back of a share price jump for the Britsoft firm, which owns the Tomb Raider and Hitman IPs and a number of studios around the world.

"The Board can announce that it has received a preliminary approach which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the Company," a statement from the publisher said.

"Eidos emphasises that discussions are at a very early stage and that there can be no assurance that an offer will be forthcoming."

Should the acquisition go ahead, the smart money’s on Warner Bros swooping for the firm.

The Hollywood entertainment firm already owns 20 per cent in the publisher. MCV understands that the media giant has been in regular negotiations with the Tomb Raider publisher over the past year.

The pair have shown signs of flirting to do a deal for some time – with indicators including Eidos reducing restrictions on Warner’s buying power last October. The deal saw Eidos’ share price rocket.