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

Valve has introduced a policy limiting Steam user accounts which have spent less than $5 on the digital distributor’s storefront. Steam users who have only activated a retail game on Steam, played a demo, added a non-Steam game as a shortcut, added a free-to-play game, or received a game as …

Xbox exec departs after three years at the company

Phil Harrison will leave Microsoft, the firm has confirmed. The former Sony exec joined Microsoft as European Corporate VP of Xbox in 2012, and was in charge of studios including Rare and Lionhead. That role now falls to Kudo Tsunoda. Following a successful tenure as Corporate Vice President in Xbox …

It’s been years in the making, but the smartwatch might be about to transform gaming as we know it. Following efforts to crack the sector by start-ups such as Pebble, as well as established players like Motorola and Samsung, the launch of the Apple Watch later this month could propel …

Sony is looking to capitalise on the popularity of PS4 exclusive Bloodborne with the release of an assortment of licensed merchandise. Items currently available include an assortment of t-shirts (featuring logos, game art of the Saw Cleaver weapon), a branded hoodie, a pint glass, a bag and a lithograph. The …

Both the 3DS and the Wii U have sold more so far in the US throughout 2015 than they had at this stage in 2014, the platform holder has said. Precise numbers haven’t been revealed, although the handheld is up 80 per cent year-on-year and the Wii U 20 per …

Winners will be named in Malmö, Sweden on Thursday, May 21st

UK publisher Codemasters has become the latest publisher to begin selling its titles directly to consumers. As spotted by PCGamesN, the store doesn’t currently titles from any other publishers – in contrast to the likes of EA and Ubisoft who are happy to sell titles from rivals on Origin and …

GAME took three prizes from the MCV Awards 2015. The High Street retailer received nods for Games Retailer, Community Team and Buying Team. It took away the Games Retailer prize for its impressive year, in which it floated on the stock market, made sales of 850m while its Reward Card …

Games industry veteran and Team 17 boss Debbie Bestwick was named the MCV Awards 2015 Person of the Year. In a video on the night, members of Team 17 and the industry at large paid tribute to Bestwick for her long and influential career within the games sector. Those featured …