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

The Guildford, Surrey branch of the recently rebranded EA Gothenburg studio has suffered an unspecified number of layoffs, and development of an unannounced Need for Speed title has reportedly been shelved. Polygon cites multiple sources who claim EA let go of contractors at the UK office of the studio now …

Ouya has released an upgraded version of its Android-powered console, now available to purchase in North America. The updated hardware comes in a new matte black finish and boasts double the storage of the original 8GB Ouya – as well as a refined controller, improved WiFi, and the latest firmware …

Mobile developer could be set to shut down after less than two years

Activision is in discussions over the future of UK Call of Duty mobile developer The Blast Furnace. That’s the careful wording from the global games publisher, which has begun an employee consultation process with the developer’s 47 staff. The Blast Furnace is best known for creating last year’s smartphone title …

Saturo Iwata has hinted that even greater reforms could be on the way for Nintendo than first thought. Speaking to The Nikkei, the Nintendo president expanded on his guidance issued earlier this week, saying that the company would even consider mergers and acquisitions as a viable strategy to stabilise the …

Our series of profiles of leading games service and creative firms continues with House of Trix. House of Trix Sector: Creative & Promotional ServicesAddress: Primrose Studios, Primrose Road, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 1BT, UKPhone number: 01200 420888 Key contacts:Chris Trickett – chris@houseoftrix.com Website:www.houseoftrix.comEmail:hello@houseoftrix.comTwitter:@houseoftrix A dedicated graphic design agency for the entertainment …

London-based studio Kuato is offering free Javascript coding sessions through its educational combat game Hakitzu

CEO Oskar Guilbert says studio is reorganising itself for new projects

New voices have added to the claims that Microsoft will this year release a cheaper version of the Xbox One. As part of a leak yesterday it was claimed that Microsoft is readying a $399 Xbox One that could ship without an optical disc drive. That represents a $100 saving …

Funcom has confirmed the Norwegian economic crime unit visited its offices on Wednesday and is investigating the firm on suspicions of infringing the Secruties Trading Act. The company wastemporarily taken off the Oslo Stock Exchangeon Wednesday morning. "Yesterday, the company received a visit from kokrim who is conducting an investigation …