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

Dixons Retail and Carphone Warehouse have confirmed that they are to merge in a deal worth 3.8bn. The parent firm of Currys and PC World and the mobile phone outlet will split ownership of the newly created firm, which will be known as Dixons Carphone, equally between their existing shareholders. …

Take-Two and Tencent collaboration NBA 2K Online has garnered 19m registered accounts in China. Joystiq reports Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick revealed the milestone during the company’s most recent call with investors. "Usage and player engagement with NBA 2K Online continued to gain momentum, and it’s now the number one PC …

Flappy Bird creator Dong Nguyen is reportedly planning on re-releasing his controversial mobile hit this August. Nguyen revealed in March that he was planning a re-release with some improvements, but now CNBC is reporting a multiplayer component will be added. "Flappy Bird’s Dong Nguyen: Flappy Bird is coming back. Multiplayer. …

An estimated 34m individuals in the US average 22 hours of gaming each week, new research from NPD Group states. Game Informer reports on the figure, which doesn’t take into account mobile gaming hours – though 66 per cent of those polled claimed to play mobile devices. The survey also …

Enslaved and DMC studio will also talk about the unrealised sequel to Kung Fu Chaos

Time-bending FPS Superhot is already a quarter of the way toward its brand new $100,000 Kickstarter goal. The game last September became the fastest ever title to be approved on Steam’s Greenlight service, getting the nod in just five days. Now the Polish developer behind the game is looking to …

Blizzard lead game producer Alex Mayberry has joined Star Citizen developer Cloud Imperium as executive producer. Mayberry will oversee all product development for the crowdfunded space sim and will manage development across its studios around the world.He will report directly to Cloud Imperium Games CEO and co-founder Chris Roberts. After …

There’s some money on offer for those who subscribed to Xbox Live to use services such as Netflix. Microsoft yesterday confirmed plans to lift the Xbox Live Gold requirement for a number of streaming and entertainment apps. An update to Microsoft’s T&Cs, as spotted by Videogamer, reads: "Once the Xbox …

Tech giant calls for start-ups to join the 14-week programme

Fast food giant McDonalds says its latest Happy Meal campaign is using Super Mario to help kids keep fit. Video games and fast food have long been in the crosshairs of health experts crediting both with the rapidly increasing level of obesity amongst UK children. But McDonalds told MCV it …