Game industry business news

Ahead of the release of the New Xbox Experience next month, Microsoft has lifted the lid on a new Starter Pack designed to get owners of the base model Xbox 360 Arcade console online and fully Live-integrated. CVG reports that Arcade or Core owners are already able to get online, …

SCEE’s George Bain has announced sweeping changes to Sony Computer Entertainment’s approvals process, which have effectively made PS2 an open development platform – whilst at the same time easing the route to market for PSN games. For the full story, head over to Develop.

Bethesda’s Fallout 3 has become the latest game to smash its way onto Metacritic’s all-time best games list – with both Xbox 360 and PC versions earning a 93 per cent average score, and the PS3 iteration picking up a 91 per cent ranking. Leading US and UK games media …

Industry trade body ELSPA has unveiled a brand new traffic lights rating system to clear up consumer confusion at retail. Designed to give an ‘at a glance’ guide to the content of video games, the system will categorise games according to five levels of content. In similarities to ratings currently …

Sony is delighted at the success of its debut PS3 Platinum range, and the platform holder is already gearing up for its second batch of releases. The first games to receive the 19.99 Platinum treatment included first party titles Uncharted, Ratchet and Clank and Resistance Fall of Man, along with …

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has renewed its commitment to gaming, following impressive sales growth in the second quarter. The national grocer revealed an increase in sales of 8.4 per cent, with the non-food category playing a vital role in the impressive results. Gurdeep Hunjan, Sainsbury’s DVD and games buyer, told MCV: …

Activision-owned developer Treyarch feels its latest Call of Duty title will top the likes of Gears of War, Far Cry and Resistance 2 to become the must-have shooter of Christmas. World at War is the sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which topped the Christmas charts last year …

THQ is suing Activision Blizzard for allegedly copying box art in an attempt to confuse consumers. According to Edge, THQ said Activision’s upcoming title, SCORE International Baja 1000: The Official Game has box art that is too close in similarity to THQ’s September title Baja: Edge of Control. THQ holds …

Which publishers are involved in this year’s event? This year is the first time where we have seen the majority of publishers getting involved in one way or another, which is excellent news for both the Festival and the general public. EA and Microsoft are putting on large-scale events in …

Microsoft’s Fable II has stolen the number one slot in the UK all formats chart this week. The 360 exclusive takes the top spot after just three days of sales and along with new number two Far Cry 2 knocks PES 2009 down from the number one slot it claimed …