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

Intent Media’s must-read directory of interactive entertainment agencies will be published on July 26th. Sourcebook is the ultimate directory for agencies and support businesses working in games, technology and entertainment fields. The guide covers sectors such as Creative & Promotional, Gaming Accessories and Merchandise, International Distribution, Legal Services, Localisation, QA …

Publisher Nordic Games has significantly bolstered its brand portfolio, after acquiring ten former THQ properties. The firm bought Darksiders, Red Faction, Stuntman, Full Spectrum Warrior, Destroy All Humans, MX vs ATV, Supreme Commander, Frontlines, Juiced and Titan Quest in a $4.9m deal. Nordic Games sales and marketing director Nik Blower …

But head of Ratchet & Clank studio says its should be embraced

Microsoft’s Xbox SmartGlass app has launched on Amazon’s smash-hit Kindle tablet. The app has been available on Windows Phone, iOS and Android for some time, but needed to be created specifically for Amazon’s Fire tablet. SmartGlass, which was unveiled at E3 last year, allows users to view their Xbox friends …

Develop tunes in to an engine designed for spatialised audio creation

Activision Blizzard CEO Robert Kotick has had his compensation increased eight fold to $64.9m last year, according to Bloomberg. The man in charge of the publisher received a new employment agreement in March 2012, which awarded the CEO stock in the value of $55.9m over his five-year contract. Kotick won’t …

Dan Gardner talks us through what his audio production outfit can do for your project

Nintendo’s US online store is selling refurbished handheld consoles. DS and 3DS units with ‘minor blemishes’ are available to buy directly from the firm at a slightly reduced price. It’s similar to Apple’s refurbished store, which sells Macs, iPads, iPhones – often ex-models – at more affordable prices. And like …

Dead Island: Riptide defied the critics by becoming the UK’s best selling video game this week. Despite some dodgy reviews, the game was comfortably the best seller, although it only managed half the sales of the original. The first game was a big hit for publisher Deep Silver following what …

Bobby Kotick now the second-highest paid CEO in the US