Game industry business news

Following a troubled period for Microsoft’s gaming network Xbox Live that saw many users’ service disrupted over the traditionally gamer-friendly Christmas period, Microsoft has stated that it is to offer a free Arcade game to all subscribers. The announcement, which was made through Major Nelson’s blog, stated: During this past …

Microsoft has revealed a new set of figures following a bumper festive period, according to Reuters . As well as reaching the 17.7m mark in terms of worldwide console sales, the platform holder confirmed that it has shifted 4.3m units in the last three months. On top of the hardware …

THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER WILL BE REVEALED IN NEXT WEEK’S MCV.

After ten years at the publisher, MCV can reveal that James Ellingford has left Take 2. While he relinquishes his full time role, he will continue at the publisher as a consultant. Ellingford’s departure comes after a turbulent period for the publisher, which has made widespread staff cuts and sold …

DSGi has lowered its profit expectations by 40 – 50 million for the year, following disappointing sales over the Christmas period. For the 11 weeks ended December 29th 2007, like for like sales dropped by one per cent, which the group claims is down to generally weaker consumer markets. Overall …

THQ has secured the licence to yet another movie title from US hit machine Disney-Pixar, in the shape of science fiction comedy WALL-E. The video game adaptation of WALL-E will be released in conjunction with the movie this summer, on PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS, PC and Mac, …

This week has already brought talk of a new HD-DVD equipped Xbox 360 that some say will be unveiled by Microsoft and Toshiba at next week’s CES technology show in Las Vegas, but Stuff claims to have the complete scoop on the new machine, which it claims will be called …

A questionnaire sent out to Asian users of Sony’s PC-based PlayStation Store has hinted that the firm is possibly considering allowing gamers to download an unlimited number of items from PSN if they agree to pay a monthly subscription charge, CVG reports. The questionnaire also lists a number of existing …

"We continue to believe that GameStop is the leading potential acquirer of Gamestation.” Michael Pachter at Wedbush Morgan starts the year off by winding up Gamestation’s commercial director Martyn Gibbs, January It is time to garotte the Game Boy and paralyse the PlayStation and admit the catastrophic effect these blasted …

Peripherals specialist Exspect has its eye on chomping into its rivals’ market share next year – with the help of parent company Gem. The company has told MCV that it has already won some ‘major accounts’, which it will announce later this year – and that there is ‘no question’ …