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

This long and at times painful hardware generation – it will be eight years since the 360 unveiling when we see the Next Xbox in three weeks – is matched by just one other drawn out saga: tax breaks for games made in the UK. Every two steps forward on …

Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Cut The Rope, Draw Something and Temple Run top UKâ??s most popular ever apps

Publishers are in the dark over Amazon’s UK?PC download store. UK?PC firms have already signed a contract with the retail giant to get their games on the store, which was expected early in 2012. But the store was delayed, with no new launch date set. Amazon’s head of games Graham …

This year’s E3 will be one to remember, even without a Nintendo press conference. The platform holder has decided to not hold a full press event this year, and instead focus on smaller showcases instead. Meanwhile, although Take-Two will be at the expo, 2K Games will not have its usual …

World of Tanks maker's grant to enhance RAF Museum with augmented reality

Distributors are clamping down on unscrupulous eBay toy dealers who buy rare figures in bulk and resell at extortionate prices. Known as ‘scalpers’, these traders buy a store’s entire Skylanders stock before selling it online. Certain retailers reportedly search their own stock for limited edition toys (like the ‘flocked’ Skylanders, …

The Microsoft Lift London studio head gets the rapid-fire question treatment

Apple’s App Store is on the verge of delivering its fifty billionth download. The moment itself will be revealed thanks to Apple’s countdown timer. The customer who downloads to the fifty billionth app will receive a decent reward, too – a $10,000 App Store gift card. The next 50 users …

Rejuvenated entertainment retailer Blockbuster is to embark on a promotional blitz this bank holiday weekend to properly mark its High Street comeback. Deals include the chance for shoppers to rent any new movie release for one night for 1.99. The chain has also confirmed that it will shortly begin stocking …

Both publisher Sega and developer Gearbox have rubbished a lawsuit filed against the pair regarding Aliens: Colonial Marines. On Wednesday MCV reported that a Californian lawsuit is taking both companies to task over the disparity between pre-release demos and marketing materials and the final release of Aliens: Colonial Marines. Sega …