MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry

How licensed games are evolving beyond traditional tie-ins, using PAW Patrol: Dino World to examine how games can expand familiar entertainment worlds through original interactive experiences. By Guillermo Abajo, Producer at Outright Games Licensed games have been around for decades. How has their role within entertainment franchises changed? “You’re right …

Atari has announced that Matt Hall has been appointed EVP, Atari Mobile, a new position reporting to Wade Rosen, Atari Chairman and CEO. In this role, Hall will oversee Atari’s mobile gaming business and play a leading role in the execution of the company’s unified cross-platform strategy that encompasses PC, console, web, and mobile. 

Manufacturers of semiconductors and components are now facing growing pressure. AI is consuming huge amounts of memory, adding pressure for consumer electronics such as phones, laptops and other devices, which is referred to as ‘chipflation’.

A free two-week Game Testing Bootcamp in Liverpool is the first step of the new programme, giving ten local aspiring testers hands-on industry training.

Steel City Interactive, developer of the critically and commercially successful Undisputed video game franchise, today announces that industry leader Murray Pannell has joined the company as Head of Publishing. The newly created position, which will report directly to VP of Studio Tim Coupe, will see Pannell lead publishing for Steel City Interactive as it plans for the launch of Undisputed 2.

KONAMI has announced a multi-year partnership extension with the French Football Federation (FFF). Continuing this successful partnership since 2022, various commercial, imagery and activation rights remain, as KONAMI maintains its affiliation as the ‘Official Football Video Game Partner of the French National Team’.

The Danish publicly traded computer game company Trophy Games is acquiring the French game developer Playrion from Paradox Interactive. This is the largest acquisition in Trophy Games' history and will form the foundation for a new series of simulation games. At the same time, the company is raising its revenue expectations for the year to €22.8-€24.1 million . With the acquisition of French Playrion, Trophy Games gains 30 new employees and a new foundation for future growth.

Ludo.ai, the developer’s companion for creating production-ready games assets, today announced its new AI Texture Generator feature, giving game developers a faster way to create seamless static and animated textures for environments, surfaces and props.

Bitmap Books has announced its latest title, The Arcade 1971–1999: The Stories Behind Classic Coin-Ops, Told by Their Creators, a comprehensive deep dive into the games that changed an industry forever.

The creators of Arma and DayZ are investing in Polish studio Enjoy Studio. The investment reflects confidence in the team’s talent and lays the foundation for a closer, long-term partnership aimed at bringing players the best games possible.