Eidos has announced that it is currently in talks with various, unnamed suitors who may be looking to buy the company and all attached licenses.

Eidos and it's parent company SCi have been on shaky ground financially for a while and there has been ongoing rumours that a buy-out was coming, but this is the first time the company has confirmed that possibility.

"The Board can announce that it has received a preliminary approach which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the Company," said a statement from the company.

"Eidos emphasises that discussions are at a very early stage and that there can be no assurance that an offer will be forthcoming."

Previously, both Ubisoft and Electronic Arts have been rumoured to be likely buyers for Eidos, but it seems that Warner Bros. and Square Enix are also potential buyers too according to rumours.

Eidos itself holds licenses on some of the most well known and critically acclaimed franchises in history of course, so there's an obvious temptation to buy in order to control those assets. Whoever does take the plunge will end up with the licenses to Hitman, Tomb Raider, Deus Ex and Thief, to name but a few.

How a buy might effect the Eidos games that are already in development, such as Deus Ex 3 and the rumoured Thief 4 that is expected to be a modern retelling of the original game, isn't yet known. Given disappointing sales for some of Eidos' key franchises though, the final buyer may choose to restart such projects.

Who would you like to see get control of those brands? Would you trust EA to do Thief justice, or do you want to see an id Software version of Hitman? SqEnix Tomb Raider, anyone? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.