Game industry business news

Microsoft’ Entertainment and Devices division has reported a $178 million profit for its Q1 for 2008-2009. Income in the period, representing the three months to September 30th, was up 6.18 per cent for the division, which encompasses Microsoft’s Xbox, Microsoft Games Studios, Zune, Mac games and Games For Windows. The …

Eidos creative director Ian Livingstone has hit out at the UK Government for its continued refusal to reward the British games development community with financial assistance. In a frank interview with The Guardian, Livingstone accused the Government of snubbing the industry in terms of deserved state investment. He said: The …

Ubisoft has announced sales of €344 million for the first half of FY 2008-2009 – the six months to September 30th. Revenues were up 31.5 per cent on the same period in FY 2007-2008 – when Ubisoft recorded €261 million – or 38.3 per cent at constant exchange rates. Second-quarter …

Ubisoft will tomorrow kick-start a national tour of its Imagine games that will see the DS titles promoted to customers at key shopping centres up and down the UK. The Imagine shopping centre tour will show off all 11 of the range’s games, with a bespoke exhibition area that boasts …

Nintendo is giving you all the chance to pick up a copy of every DS game featured in the Recommended Extra in today’s MCV magazine. The bundle includes: Big Brain Academy, Maths Training, New Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart DS, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Brain Training, More Brain …

HMV has left publishers fearing for revenues on new and catalogue stock with the introduction of its pre-owned offering. In a canny move that further cements its position as a specialist games retailer, HMV’s new Re/Play initiative will pile further pressure on publishers and rival retailers as the pivotal Christmas …

Trade association wants better teachers, lower fees, and more computer science funding

Two key staff appointed at fast-growing Brighton studio

After weeks of speculation – and confirmation from the BBFC – THQ has officially announced that it has acquired the rights to 50 Cent: Blood On The Sand. The title, due for release on Xbox 360 and PS3 in early 2009, was dropped by Activision Blizzard following the firm’s formative …

Japanese electronics firm Sony has issued a profit warning ahead of its full year financial reports next March – slashing its profit forecasts by 57 per cent in the process. The Times Online reports that Sony had previously predicted full year profits of YEN 470 billion, but this has now …