MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
The latest chapter in Nintendo’s online revolution has arrived in Japan in the shape of WiiWare – an indie games service that operates alongside the existing Virtual Console service. The key differentiator between Virtual Console and WiiWare is that whilst the former can only host games that have previously appeared …
Read More »WiiWare goes live in Japan
Nintendoâ??s answer to XBLA and PSN arrives in the Far East
Read More »Rock Band Wii details emerge
EA and MTV Games have revealed details for the upcoming Wii version of Rock Band, which was first announced by CEO John Riccitiello during EA’s third-quarter conference call in February. The game is set to feature 63 songs, and will be available in the US on June 22nd – along …
Read More »EAs CFO Jenson resigns
Electronic Arts CFO Warren Jenson is to leave the publisher. Jenson has served in the position for six years. He will stay with the firm to assist with its fiscal year-end close and financial reporting process – and ensure a smooth transition for his successor. "I want to thank Warren …
Read More »Ubisoft snaps up Tom Clancy IP for 60m
Ubisoft will no longer have to pay royalties to Tom Clancy after the new deal goes through, with Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter estimating that Ubisoft will pay around €60 million over three years. Post acquisition, Ubisoft expects to have a net cash position of around €130m by the end …
Read More »EA to publish GTA IV?
The industry’s most respected financial analysts have been discussing EA’s ‘hostile’ tender offer for Take Two – with some saying that it could happen quickly enough for Grand Theft Auto IV and Manhunt 2 to have EA’s name on their box. The group also deliberated the timescale of the deal …
Read More »Midway CEO David Zucker resigns
CEO of Midway David Zucker has resigned from the publisher. The company is now searching for a new leader to improve its market performance. Senior VP of worldwide studios Matthew Booty will take up the CEO role in the interim. "The board is confident that a new CEO will be …
Read More »ANALYST REACTION: EAs bid gets hostile
Do you think that Take Two’s shareholders will accept EA’s new direct/hostile bid of $26-per-share? Why? Michael Pachter, Wedbush Morgan I do think the bid will be accepted, but think TTWO management will come back next week and offer a friendly deal for more money (probably $1). Over half of …
Read More »Byron Review published next week
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has told MCV that Tanya Byron’s Review into violence in modern media is to be published next Thursday, March 27th. The paper is widely expected to recommend a ‘cinema style’ unified ratings system for games – which could spell the end for either …
Read More »INTERVIEW – Chris Lewis, Microsoft
Why was now the right time to drop the price of your hardware? Xbox 360 is a now a real mass market entertainment proposition. Through this price point, we can reach and introduce a much broader array of consumers to hi-def gaming. We had to hit and surpass key milestones …
Read More »