Retail

Codemasters will ramp up its digital games output next year – as it brings sequels to its strongest franchises to market in a bid to grow its business. The firm celebrated a return to form in 2009, with Ashes Cricket, Dirt 2 and Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising all hitting top …

The US games industry generated $2.7 billion in sales last month, making it the second best November in industry history. Overall sales were down by 7.6 per cent when compared to the same period last year, meaning November 2008 retains the record set last year, according to the latest NPD …

As part of its trading statement today HMV has offered further details on the success of its games category – reporting continued successes in areas like pre-owned in the face of a lighter release schedule. Amongst its HMV UK & Ireland stores, the chain’s technology and related entertainment products grew …

Square Enix Europe has confirmed that all those who pre-order the upcoming Just Cause 2 will receive and exclusive limited edition version of the game. Along with the exclusive packaging, Just Cause 2 LE includes what is being called the Black Market Chaos Pack which brings with it five downloadable …

Entertainment retailer HMV has announced the immediate appointment of Sarah Hughes as its new head of online. Hughes joins from rival online firm Amazon and will head a team of 15 within the chain’s marketing department in a role that has been expanded to cater for HMV’s growing online aspirations. …

Sega has announced that Yakuza 3 will be released in Europe and the US in March 2010. The news follows repeat requests from fans to get the game released in Western territories, after it’s release in Japan saw it sell through half a million units. The game will feature English …

Retail giant GAME has detailed a huge TV, cinema and print pre-Christmas marketing campaign for its two chains. For its Gamestation brand, the group has booked consumer print, TV and national press advertising, with the tagline: ‘Talk to the gamers’. The TV advertisement will feature a mixture of 30 and …

It has been revealed that none other than the late Michael Jackson was involved in the creation of the soundtrack for Sega’s classic 16-bit console platformer Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The admission comes from composer Brad Buxer in an interview with Black & White, as spotted by Spong. I’ve never …

Search engine leader Google has published its Zeitgeist 2009 report – which lists the Top Ten searches in North America across a number of popular entertainment sectors over the last year – and Atari’s Ghostbusters has emerged as the winner. Google’s report is compiled from the billions of queries people …

A brand new entry in the video games Star Games saga is set to be unveiled in a few weeks time at the Spike Video Game Awards 2009, according to the channel’s host Geoff Keighley via Twitter. Nothing more is known of the game as of yet, though the teaser …