Game industry business news

PlayStation’s new portable console has been out in Japan for a few days now, and the first numbers are in. Famitsu (citing Enterbrain) says 321,407 Vita machines were sold in its first two days on sale. It’s a decent figure, higher than what the original PSP managed. But it is …

Several online retailers have priced PlayStation Vita’s launch titles, while listing Uncharted: Golden Abyss with a 44.99 RRP. ShopTo, The Hut and Play.com are among those which have placed the launch line-up available to pre-order online.RRPs range from 24.99 to 44.99 on ShopTo, although Uncharted is the only Vita title …

HMV’s financial update this morning did not make for pleasant reading. And the business media – unsurprisingly – has been sticking the knife in. To them – and indeed many analysts and experts – HMV is on the way out. The retailer is just a few short months away from …

'Our employees have a real love and pride for the company'

The Quebec Court of Appeal has overturned a Ubisoft injunction against THQ which sought to block the latter from soliciting staff from the French publisher. Ubisoft was granted the injunction in March this year thatprohibited THQ from approaching staff at Ubisoft, as employees at the publisher had a ‘non compete …

EA is charging users of Need for Speed World $100 to download the free-to-play PC racer’s first ‘premium elite’ car. The publisher has listed the Koenigsegg CCX Elite Edition motor at $100, although it’s currently on offer at $75 until December 21st, reports GameSpot. Although Need for Speed World is …

Entertainment giant HMV has posted challenging first half results, and admits it may have to sell its Live music division. The company’s Board says it has regular discussions with its banks and is confident in the Group’s ability to continue. But admits that the economic and traditions conditions "may cast …

Channel 4 has appointed former Realtime Worlds studio manager Colin Macdonald as its first ever games commissioning editor. He will work on commissioning games related to the station’s TV shows as well as projects that have potential to cross over to the small screen. Macdonaldwill also act as Channel 4’s …

Some Christmas traditions don’t last forever – and Skyrim has smashed the eight-year grip Electronic Arts and Activision has had on the Xmas No.1. Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls game held the top spot after rocketing to the top of the charts last week, just 15,000 units ahead of Just Dance 3. …

Retailers in Japan will receive 200,000 more units of PlayStation Vita in time for launch, bringing the total shipped to 700,000. Andriasang reports sources close to Sony that the format holder had originally planned a shipment of 500,000 units, but this has now been raised to cope with pre-order demand. …