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

Linden Lab has sold off computer games storefront Desura, after having acquired the digital distribution service just last year. Gamasutra reports middleware tools developer Bad Juju Games has purchased the service from Linden Lab. Bad Juju states it will be able to bring new features to the Steam competitor, including …

A company-wide wave of layoffs at Warner Bros is scheduled to take place later this week, according to multiple reports. Game Informer points to a staff memo written by CEO Kevin Tsujihara, which mentions imminent restructuring. Variety further reports that as many as 1,000 jobs could be cut globally. These …

Job losses will 'affect most business groups' and continue into 2015

Ankama has acquired social and mobile game studio Wizcorp. As well as developing games, the Tokyo-based developer also owns its own tech, including Node.js-based game engine MAGE. Camille Chafer, CTO at French publisher Ankama, said he hoped the studio’s expertise in HTML5 and mobile would support the publisher’s ambitions in …

Brendan Iribe has welcomed Oculus Rift’s inevitable rivals in the virtual reality market, but also urged them to ensure their product is up to scratch. We’re really looking forward to this as an industry that takes off… A number of companies will come in, even companies we haven’t heard of …

Ubisoft has brokered a new deal to extend the brand reach of its lucrative Assassin’s Creed franchise… to the bathroom. The Facebook page of Edge shaving gel, which is made by the folk who make Energizer batteries, pictures three limited edition cans. Each carries some Assassin’s Creed decoration and includes …

Two studies from Stetson University researcher Christopher Ferguson have downplayed any perceived link between video game and movie violence and real-world violence. In fact, as reported by Medical Daily, Ferguson’s findings suggest that a rise in violent video games use has actually coincided with a drop in youth violence. In …

Now-removed information on the Mario Kart 8 website has revealed exactly what Nintendo’s Amiibo figure will unlock in Wii U racer Mario Kart 8. Polygon reports that using the NFC-equipped figures will allow users to access Nintendo-themed costumes for use with their Miis. The Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Donkey Kong, …

This year’s London Games Conference on November 19th will have a number of high profile speakers from around the games industry sharing their knowledge. Ahead of the event, Ziff Davis boss Geoff Inns tells MCV about what we can expect from his talk and what the current challenges facing those …

The latest iterations of Nintendo’s popular handheld console have been big sellers since they launched in Japan in October, according to data provided by Famitsu. The New 3DS and New 3DS LL shipped 408,719 units since they launched in Japan on October 11th. Of that figure, 299,995 consoles were the …