Game industry business news

Dreamworks’ exclusive five-year contract with Activision will be coming to an end in 2010 – and it looks like the movie animation firm won’t be renewing the deal. According to Variety, THQ has successfully pitched for the game adaptation of Dreamworks’ autumn 2010 movie release, Master Mind. Activision has published …

THQ and Marvel Entertainment have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement to create video games based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad franchise. The multi-year agreement sees THQ obtain the exclusive, worldwide rights to publish content for all current and next-generation consoles, handheld systems, as well as Windows PC. The …

The former chairman of Nintendo Hiroshi Yamauchi is the richest person in Japan, according to Forbes. Yamauchi topped up his personal wealth with more $3 billion in the past year alone, mainly from Wii’s success. According to the article, Japan’s 40 wealthiest businesspeople are worth $89.9 billion, up $10.7 billion …

Best Buy – the massive US electronics retail chain with a large games selection – is set for a massive expansion into the UK and the rest of Europe next year. The news follows a deal between the chain and The Carphone Warehouse, which has sold 50 per cent of …

Could you explain what Martin’s recent change of role will entail, and what it means for the European market’s relationship with you? Martin Spiess: You’ll have to ask Matt. After all, he promoted me… Matt Booty: We would really like for Martin to get more involved worldwide – not just …

Technical lead on Metroid Prime: Hunters joins Turn 10

The next chapter in the Doom series is under production, according to id Software. The firm told Game Informer last month that there would be a fourth Doom, although it added no team was currently assigned to the project. "Doom is part of the id Software DNA and demands the …

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 for PC, PS2 and 360 is to be re-released on May 16th at a reduced price. The 360 re-issue will be priced at 24.99, whereas the PS2 version will retail for 19.99. There is currently no confirmed price for the PC edition. PES 2008 overtook FIFA …

The boss of EA’s dedicated Sims division, Nancy Smith, has said that The Sims 3 may come to more formats than PC after it is released next year. Smith also revealed that she doesn’t see the title as a ‘casual’ game – and added that, in EA’s eyes, the games …

As a 15-year veteran of games fiscal analysis, Nicholas Lovell know what he’s talking about: So if you work in the business, it might be a good idea to pay attention to his five lessons our industry can learn from the music business. Handily split into two manageable parts (read …