Game industry business news

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association has instructed its members to ignore any request from the BBFC to change the current age ratings process. The UK industry representative has requested that leading publishers hold fire on implementing any changes to classification of their games until the Government has officially …

Microsoft has rebooted its Xbox Live Arcade strategy, with a number of changes on the way intended to improve the service – although it’s not yet clear how welcome to the moves third-party developers will be. On a Q&A with Next-Gen.biz, Microsoft’s Marc Whitten has revealed that as well as …

But unpopular games get the boot as file size and price limits rise, while Microsft opens new first-party team for XBLA titles

After John Terry’s heartbreaking slip-up in last night’s Champions League final, it looks as though Chelsea Manager Avram Grant will soon be scouting for a job outside of the cosy surroundings of SW11. Your boss might not be as unforgiving as Roman Abramovich, but that doesn’t mean that now isn’t …

Ubisoft has announced full year profits of €109.8 million ($173 million) – a 63.12 per cent jump from the €40.5 million posted a year earlier. As previously announced on MCV, sales for the 12 months to March 31st, sales topped $1bn – up 36 per cent to €928.3 million ($1.45 …

Multiplayer games specialist Splash Damage has signed a long-term development partnership with Bethesda. The London-based studio will develop a brand-new game for the publisher, best known for the internally-developed Oblivion title for Xbox 360, and which recently expanded its operations into both Europe and Japan. Splash Damage is best known …

UK association warns that raising the cost of employing freelancers could hurt development

GameStop has revealed plans to grow its global operation by 25 per cent, following a rise of 151.4 per cent in net profit in its first quarter. Net profits stood at $62.1 million for the three months ended May 3rd, as compared to net earnings of $24.7 million for the …

Japanese publisher Koei’s Warriors Orochi has shipped over 1.5 million units across the globe. The Xbox 360, PS2 and PSP title mixes two of the publisher’s two biggest franchises – Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors. The success of the release has prompted Koei to announce a sequel for North America. …

Everyone’s favourite little muncher Pac-Man is coming to the big screen in a new movie role – from a company that’s just received a whopping $200m financial boost. According to Variety, Steven Paul’s banner Crystal Sky Pictures has inked a $200 million theatrical slate financing deal with Don Starr’s Grosvenor …