MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry

CJ Cowan leaves studio after 13 years, half of which was spent on Activision’s online shooter

A fan-made 3D Zelda game designed as a tribute to the RPG series has unsurprisingly been taken offline at Nintendo’s request. While only a browser demo, the software got its fair share of media coverage and was played by over half a million people before its removal. Nintendo asked us …

Facebook has given its backing to next month’s Women in Games Awards, lining up as headline partner for the MCV and WIGJ event. The firm will also sponsor the Outstanding Contribution of the Year category of the special awards. Facebook is proud to sponsor this year’s Women in Gaming Awards,” …

The games industry sometimes works in mysterious ways. When Stardew Valley launched on February 26th, who would have guessed that the indie farming simulation title would end up in Steam’s Top 10 games the following week, out-selling pre-orders for The Division? The game has amassed a devoted community, which might …

French developer launches Kickstarter for Fear Effect Sedna after Collective sign-off

Publisher Square Enix says its next Final Fantasy game is the biggest production in the series’ history. And the firm hopes last week’s major Uncovered event will ignite the brand, as it looks to re-establish itself as an RPG powerhouse. The Final Fantasy series has endured a difficult few years, …

Entire issue dedicated to games on smart devices, available in print and digital

Gamer Network boss Rupert Loman says he’s disappointed by GAME’s decision to go head-to-head with his EGX event. GAMEFest will form part of Insomnia58, which starts on August 26th at Birmingham NEC. That’s just four weeks before EGX, which will take place at the same venue from September 22nd. On …

Video series Ordinary Women has been successfully crowdfunded on Seed&Spark. The Feminist Frequency production entered its final six-hour stretch some $20k short of its $200k goal. However, during a live stream featuring critic Anita Sarkeesian and broadcast from Double Fine Productions, the project hit its target. Four episodes of the …

Her Story creator Sam Barlow and The Chinese Room take home three gongs each