Eidos Interactive has released its first-half fiscal results for the period ended December 31, 2008, and thanks in part to the release of Tomb Raider: Underworld, Eidos' sales for the six-month period climbed 26 percent to around 80 million pounds. At the same time, the company's net loss for the first-half was narrowed from 75.1 million pounds to just 1 million pounds.

Tomb Raider: Underworld sold 2.6 million units during the first-half, but Eidos said that the game underperformed in the U.S. while meeting targets in the U.K., France and Germany. Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics saw about 30 layoffs back in January due to the game's failure to meet sales expectations.

Chief executive Phil Rogers commented, "The first six months of trading this year were characterized by an incredibly competitive and increasingly challenging retail environment."

He added, "The changes made at Eidos over the past year, coupled with the continued hard work and determination of our employees and external partners, means we are well placed one year into our three-year strategic plan to produce higher-quality, must-have games to entertain our consumer."

Eidos is currently in merger talks with Japanese publisher Square Enix. Eidos' board appears to be in favor of being acquired by Square Enix; a formal vote will take place in March.