Good news for players who love Lara Croft. Microgaming has re-signed its exclusive licensing deal with Eidos Interactive for the Lara Croft video slot. As Lara has been so popular they have added Hitman to their agreement with Eidos Interactive. Hitman will also be developed into a video slot.

I'm ecstatic about the extended run for Tomb Raider. It's one of my favorite video slots from Microgaming and the last time I played it I had a very nice winning streak. That's always a nice way to remember a game.

According to the Microgaming press release: "The Tomb Raider agreement gives the gaming software provider exclusivity to continue to develop games for online and land based casino platforms, while the Hitman deal allows it to develop a new range of slots games based on the hugely successful computer game."

They added, "This extension to the current deal is testament to the success of the Tomb Raider Video Slot, launched by Microgaming in October 2004. This new agreement focuses on Tomb Raider: Legend, the seventh and most innovative Tomb Raider title in the series, which has recently reached the No.1 chart position in every major video gaming territory upon its release in April this year."

Lara Croft as Tomb Raider I know. I've seen the movies even though I can't stand Angelina Jolie. I've played the video game back in the day. What I wasn't familiar with was Eidos Interactive (the creator of both games) or their game Hitman.

The press release describes Hitman as "Currently one of Eidos’ best-selling games series’, Hitman features Agent 47, a ruthless assassin working for the ICA, who may also be making his big screen debut as Eidos has recently confirmed it has an option signed to a major Hollywood Studio for the feature film rights to Hitman."

This tells me almost nothing. I decided to go to the Eidos website to find out more. I get to the site and sure enough Hitman is on the homepage along with Lara Croft (expected) and Rogue Trooper (probably another popular game which could have a future as a video slot). After clicking on the Hitman banner I'm lead to a page which requests that I put in my age before being allowed in. This is a sad attempt at trying to keep out their real target market, the kids who go nuts over these video games, but never mind. I enter my age (none of your business) and the site uploads.

This game is frightening. Seriously. Scary.

The background is black with red and white writing. The feel of the page is dark, gloomy, and has a touch of the macabre. Agent 47 (The Hitman) is a clone and his name comes from a serial number in the back of his head. He has a one hundred percent hit rate and it's your job to go after him. This is not a warm and fuzzy game. This is a game which trains people to think like the perfect killer. I can guarantee you this is a video game I do not want my children to play, ever. 

With that said I can't wait to see how this game translates into a video slot and I could see Vin Diesel (who I love) playing the Hitman.

Wait.

I just checked imdb.com for Vin Diesel to see I was spelling his name correctly and what's there? " Hitman (2007) (announced) .... Agent 47" Apparently I'm not the only one who could see him in that role.

I went further into the Hitman psyche on the site. The game has characters which I'm guessing will be turned into symbols for the video slot. Like all cheesy assassination plots (be it game, movie, or book) there is the Albino. Why is there always an albino? Why do people think that albino's would make good assassins? Think about it, white white skin, white white hair, and pink eyes. This is not someone who blends into a crowd. Supposedly this Albino is a master of disguises (he would have to be).

Then there's the drunken clown. He makes balloon animals which no one can interpret because he's drunk. Lovely, I'm seeing why they would prefer children under 18 not enter this site.

Here's a twist in the plot of your typical video game. Skip is a rather scary looking gay boat captain who spends his time eyeing up the guys who work on deck. This is definitely forward thinking for your average shoot'm up video game. Perhaps they're trying to appeal to a larger market?

I have to say after watching the promos this game makes Tomb Raider look positively tame. I still don't want my children playing this video game, but then this isn't a video game aimed at children and the video slot isn't meant for children either.

Roger Raatgever, CEO Microgaming said, “We are delighted to have extended and secured exclusive rights for two such fantastic names - Lara Croft, arguably the greatest action heroine of the last decade and Agent 47, undoubtedly set for massive mainstream success later this year. Microgaming is committed to providing its operators with state of the art games that not only feature rich graphics and excellent game play, but also some of the world’s most famous action heroes too.”

“The success Microgaming has had already achieved with Tomb Raider for video slot gaming made them the perfect choice for the Hitman series, it is an exciting relationship for Eidos.” said Jane Cavanagh, Chief Executive, Eidos.

Microgaming makes the best video slot online in my opinion. Their graphics are always colorful and creative, and they pull the whole theme of the game together with the background, sound, and bonus rounds. Their Lara Croft game keeps the Tomb Raider theme true with great bonus rounds. After playing the Lara Croft video slot it's easy to see why it's one of Microgamings best games. I have high expectations for the new upcoming Hitman slot, and if it becomes as popular as the Lara Croft slot I'm certain that there will be more cooperation between Eidos and Microgaming in the future.