MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
It’s a New Year and we have a new UK Number One. Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops has seen its reign at the top of the listings disrupted for the second time with EA’s FIFA 11 overtaking it to claim the weekly crown. In the last week of November …
Read More »Harmonix suing owners Viacom
Harmonix founders Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozny are leading a lawsuit from a number of the developer’s former shareholders against current owners Viacom. It is alleged the MTV-owning company, which put Harmonix up for sale last month, is "manipulating costs" in an attempt to try and avoid bonus payments. Gamasutra …
Read More »TV product placement given the nod
Platform holders and publishers at the ready – media regulator Ofcom has announced that product placement on TV will be officially allowed from February 2011. Coming into effect on February 28th, any show carrying such advertising must carry a specific logo for a minimum of three seconds at the beginning …
Read More »Black Ops targets Xmas No.1
With just two days of selling left in Chart-Track’s current sales week, any title hoping to capture one of the year’s most coveted sales crowns has its work cut out if it wants to topple this week’s chart topper Call of Duty: Black Ops. The shooter currently sits comfortably at …
Read More »WoW Cataclysm launches worldwide
Many PC gaming fans have endured a sleepless night to be amongst the first to experience the third expansion to MMO behemoth World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, which launches worldwide today. UK gamers showed particular grit by braving freezing conditions last night to pick up the game at a number of …
Read More »Future triumphs at Xbox Xmas Quiz
Future Publishing took home the grand prize at the MCV and Xbox 360 Industry Pub Quiz last night. The team beat out the likes of Comet, Ubisoft, HMV and rivals Gamespot, Dennis and IGN. It was in fact a trio of media darlings in the final top three, with IGN …
Read More »Euro date for Kirbys Epic Yarn
Nintendo’s Kirby’s Epic Yarn will be released in Europe on February 25th. The 2D Wii platformer is themed on the idea of cotton and string, with the entire game built around the premise. It also boast two player co-op gameplay. The critical reception outside of Europe, where the game has …
Read More »Games prices frozen despite VAT hike
Publishers must lower the cost of games, retailers have warned – or they will cut back buying new stock when VAT rises in 2011. Buyers and store bosses are fearful that they’ll have to swallow next year’s 2.5 per cent tax rise in order to remain competitive – and want …
Read More »UK date for Test Drive Unlimited 2
Publisher Atari has confirmed that Test Drive Unlimited 2 will be released in the UK on February 11th. A number of pre-order incentives have also been revealed. Those putting money down at GAME, Amazon, HMV, Play or supermarket Asda will receive the Casino DLC for free. The Casino allows players …
Read More »Japanese dev industry ‘like a zombie’
One of Japan’s most popular game developers has launched an imaginative and damning analysis of his native development nation. Katamari Damacy maestro Keita Takahashi described the Japanese sector as a zombie” that needs to die, but won’t. In an interview with consumer magazine GamesTM, Takashashi said: I think the Japanese …
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