Game industry business news

Speaking on the BBC Internet Blog, the BBC’s head of digital media technology Anthony Rose has singled out Sony for special praise thanks to the work it has put into the PS3 version of the iPlayer. Arriving as part of Sony’s recent 3.0 PS3 firmware update, the new version of …

A new venture described by its creators as the ‘iTunes for video games’ has now launched online – and is looking for fresh white label partners. GameStreamer, the digital distribution and streaming service, offers developers and publishers access to a B2B network of consumer sites that will host their titles …

The kingpin of the world’s largest pornography producer has called on Sony to make downloadable HD adult movies available worldwide through PSN. The Vivid Entertainment founder and co-chairman, Steven Hirsch, told MCV that he believed the distribution of porn films on PS3 had real potential” for the adult entertainment industry. …

ELSPA has reassured the trade that the PEGI ratings system’s ascent to become law is still on track – despite the discovery that current age classification is legally unenforceable. A recent review of the 25 year-old Video Recordings Act discovered that the selling of adult videos and games to minors …

There seems to be no stopping Disney. One minute it is grabbing headlines for a $4bn buy of Marvel, the next it is signing up Bungie founder and Halo co-creator Alex Seropian to oversee its studios. Reporting to Graham Hopper, the head of Disney’s increasingly powerful games division, Seropian will …

Square Enix has just confirmed the rumours – Final Fantasy XIII will be released on PS3 in Japan on December 17th. The game will cost YEN 8,800 – that translates to around 60, which could conceivably point to a higher than normal RRP in the UK a la Call of …

As reported by MCV last month, SCEE is to add a number of new titles to its PS3 Platinum software range. The new titles joining the line-up are Guerrilla Games’ Killzone 2, Evolution’s Motorstorm: Pacific Rift and Insomniac’s Resistance: 2 in the 19.99 catalogue shortly in the UK. The exact …

Alex Seropian and his Wideload studio is acquired by Mickey Mouse firm

Numbers from La Tribune suggest that the PS3 Slim sold 37,000 units in its first week of release in France – an increase of 1000 per cent. The growth mirrors that seen in the UK according to ChartTrack, and the actual sales number is likely to be similar to the …

You can ‘pay what you like’ for Eidos’ new Championship Manager. A brave new step in games’ business model – or a headline-grabbing gimmick? Tim Ingham reports… You don’t get something for nothing. But for a penny? The world’s your oyster. Radiohead’s decision to ask fans to ‘pay what you …