Game industry business news

Publisher Ubisoft believes it can still become the world’s biggest publisher, despite the changing marketplace. The firm told MCV?in 2011 that it wanted to topple EA as the No.1 games firm. But admitted this year that its mission has been complicated by the emergence of mobile, browser and social gaming. …

Free-to-play mech combat title Hawken has received an additional $18m in funding ahead of its December launch. VentureBeat reports publisher Meteor Entertainment has brought in the sizable amount as part of its second round of fundraising, bringing the total to $28.5m raised thus far for the game. Despite being an …

Indie studio's first title produced in just four months

A spring 2013 release for Grand Theft Auto V has been confirmed by a second source. A Tweet from the Brighton branch of retailer GAME carried a picture of what appears to be some mock PS3 covers carrying the date. The Tweet has long since been deleted, though before IGN …

Assassin’s Creed III hits the UK tonight and Blockbuster will be selling it for 99p as part of a new trade-in deal. Customers who want to make the most of the offer must trade in any two of the following titles: Borderlands 2, Dishonored, FIFA13, 007 Legends, Madden 13, Medal …

Nintendo is deliberately slowing the release of first party Wii U titles to help extend the console’s sales into 2013. That’s the admission of boss Satoru Iwata who has told investors that the machine is guaranteed to do well at launch – the challenge, he believes, is maintaining any potential …

Cult ultra-violent PC indie hit Hotline Miami could be on its way to a release on PS3 and PlayStation Vita. Creator Jonatan Sderstrm told Pocket Gamer that he has already been talking to Sony” about a release on its platforms, although the developer himself doesn’t seem keen to take on …

Trade body wants games' cultural test to be on par with the film industry

The publisher of Serious Sam 3 has urged fans to openly criticise Medal of Honor in return for free copy of the game. During this busy season of video game releases the team at Devolver Digital realize that not every game will live up to expectations. One such game has …

Scott Forstall and John Browett leaving company in executive shake-up