Game industry business news

Dara O’Briain to host BAFTAs

Irish comedian Dara O’Briain is set to host this year’s GAME British Academy Video Games Awards. As well as being a popular stand up comic, O’Briain has presented a number of TV shows including Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week. He is also a graduate of Dublin’s University …

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HMV snaps up 14 Zavvi stores

HMV has acquired 14 Zavvi stores from its rival’s administrators, Ernst & Young. HMV expects the cost of its acquisition to be around 2m, including a purchase price of 700,000 plus the refit and rebranding of the outlets. The locations of the stores are currently unclear, but they are in …

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HMV enjoys best ever Christmas

HMV has defied the odds on the High Street to pull off its biggest ever Christmas – enjoying a 5.8 per cent sales growth for the ten weeks to January 3rd. Like-for-like growth was up three per cent on the same period in 2008. The total HMV Group – which …

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US games specialist targets UK

North America’s fastest-growing specialist is ready to take on GAME and Gamestation – as it launches its first stores in the UK later this year. GamerDoc, a franchise concept that offers the opportunity to own, develop and operate a retail video games store, was launched in December 2007. President of …

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Resident Evil 5 will be series biggest seller, says Capcom

Resident Evil 5 and Street Fighter IV headline a star-studded Q1 line-up for Capcom, as the firm plans to add new recruits to its European operations. The line-up also includes 360 and PS3 title Bionic Commando and the Wii edition of Dead Rising. It’s definitely going to be a strong …

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My Pet Shop arriving next month

Japanese publisher and developer Square Enix, the company famed for its global success with ‘hardcore’ RPG franchises such Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, has said that its first foray into the casual pre-teens girl market will arrive next month. For the full story on the release, click here to take …

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There are too many crappy games on Wii

The global boss of 2K has predicted that publishers bringing non-licensed games to Wii this year could struggle – as the console’s market is flooded by crappy titles”. Speaking to MCV, Christoph Hartmann said that his company would find it difficult to secure the success it has enjoyed with its …

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Pandemic Brisbane cut off by EA?

If rumours are to be believed, US publisher Electronic Arts has told Pandemic Studios’ Brisbane-based Australian office that it has been set free” from its ties to the company. Kotaku reports that the Destroy All Humans developer has been allowed to retain its original IP, staff and equipment, and is …

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US: DSi launch date rumoured

Rumours have emerged claiming that Nintendo is planning to launch its new DSi in the North American market on April 4th, with an RRP of $179.99. IGN claims to have received this information from three independent sources close to Nintendo. The new handheld reinvents its predecessor by including built-in cameras, …

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US: PS2 celebrates 50m sales

The PlayStation 2 is starting its ninth year in fine form with news that Sony’s hugely popular machine has now surpassed the 50 million units sold barrier in the North American market. CasualGaming.biz has the complete story.

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