Claiming that the global mobile gaming market will grow ‘considerably over the next few years from around $3-billion (£1.5) in 2006 to $10-billion ($5) in 2009”, Tomb Raider publisher, Eidos, is adding to its existing mobile games stable. It has reached an agreement to acquire Manchester-based Rockpool Games and its two sister companies, Ironstone Partners and SoGoPlay, for an undisclosed sum.

Eidos already has a presence in the mobile gaming area with products such as Tomb Raider: Legend, Thief: Deadly Shadow, Championship Manager 2006, and Hitman: Blood Money.

Jane Cavanagh, Chief Executive, Eidos, tells the world that, “casual games are also becoming increasingly important. Rockpool’s breadth of activity, including not only mobile games but casual PC games, fits well with Eidos’ strategy to expand the company’s business in this direction and will strengthen our position in these consistently growing markets.”

Rockpool’s mobile game development includes IP such as Worms and Toca Race Driver.

Ironstone Partners is a licensing company which owns an extensive portfolio of Intellectual Property Rights and has operated primarily in the computer and video games, toy, electronics and mobile media markets. SoGoPlay works with licensed IP such as Rogue Trooper and Nebulus, and publishes its games via its own gaming portal.