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

Microsoft veteran Phil Spencer will now lead a reorganised Xbox division. The new-look division combines Xbox, Xbox Live development teams and the Microsoft studios. He will report to Terry Myerson, who is in charge of the group developing operating systems, as the two business areas look to work closer together. …

Microsoft exec leading Microsoft Studios and Xbox Music and Video teams

Animal Crossing could not only be making a console return, but also be branching out onto non-Nintendo hardware. The series’ producer Katsuya Eguchi told Polygon that while he feels the game is best suited to handhelds, the right idea could see it return to consoles – although possibly not the …

Mobile game developer to test-launch first title in the summer

Few companies have so fully embodied the shift in global games development from the West to the East as Square Enix. Once famed for its Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest RPG series, in recent years the company has put more effort into Westernised titles such as Deus Ex, Tomb Raider …

Minister believes games tax breaks signals a 'golden age' for sector

The partnership between BBC’s Top Gear and Microsoft’s Forza series is continuing with a new DLC pack for Forza 5. The download, which is included as part of the game’s Season Pass, includes ten cars, all of which are instantly accessible through the game’s garage but can also be purchased …

Grant to help studio employ new staff and support development of original IP

Leading esports firm ESL has announced the acquisition of event services and technologies agency ESS. Electronic Sports League has also announced that it has opened a 7,000 square foot full production studio at its LA office – complete with room for an audience of hundreds – which paired with this …

Technology giant gains 80 wearable computing patents in secretive deal