Lay-offs hit Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics

Eidos has confirmed that around 30 staff have been let go from its US studio Crystal Dynamics.

The news, first reported on Kotaku and then confirmed by 1up, comes shortly after Eidos revised its full year financials (ending June 30th 2009) down from a projected £180m-£200m to £160m-£180m as a result of ‘disappointing’ sales of the latest Tomb Raider title.

The game was expected to sell 2m copies around the world, but sold 500,000 units less, at 1.5m units sold in six weeks on the market.

Unlike other publisher-owned studios, which have linked lay-offs to the economic pinch, Eidos said the move was part of a ‘reduction of headcount’ at the studio as it looks to focus on just the Tomb Raider titles.

An Eidos rep told 1up: "We have increased the focus on the Tomb Raider franchise at Crystal Dynamics; regrettably this has resulted in the reduction in headcount."

Eidos CFO Robert Brent has also since confessed that the publisher might instigate another revamp of series icon Lara Croft in a bid to revitalise interest in the character.