The makers of Tomb Raider are at the centre of a bidding war

Eidos, best known for computer game icon Lara Croft, said it would consider the new �76m bid.

Its fortunes have been hit by poor sales and delays to new titles.

A deal with SCI would create one of the largest firms in the UK games industry. Venture capital group Elevation counts rock star Bono among its directors.

At the close of trade on Tuesday, Eidos shares were up 12.5 pence at 54.25 pence on the London Stock Exchange.

Last week, Eidos said its cash reserves had dwindled to �11.9m during the second half of 2004 and pre-tax losses had grown to �29m.

SCI offer

SCI's titles include the military-themed Conflict series of games and The Italian Job.

We believe that this is an excellent opportunity for both Eidos and SCI shareholders Jane Cavanagh, SCI chief executive Check the Eidos share price

SCI said the offer would help it expand its own portfolio with multi-million selling franchises and lead to cost savings for both firms.

"We believe that this is an excellent opportunity for both Eidos and SCI shareholders to invest in a major computer games publisher at a time when the global market has never been bigger," said SCI's chief executive Jane Cavanagh in a statement.

Elevation

Elevation Partners was formed last year with the aim of investing in media and entertainment interests and is armed with a �520m war chest.

The US group said its bid would enable Eidos to "develop games on a schedule which permits maximum creative flexibility" without having to worry about half-yearly reporting of profits.

Most of the titles currently being developed by Eidos would be delayed to make sure this happens, Elevation said.

New games in the Hitman and Tomb Raider series are being held back from release until next year.

Eidos' chairman John van Kuffeler earlier said the offer would bring to an end the uncertainty that investors and workers have had to put up with over the past few months.