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

Activision appears to be adopting the games-as-a-service philosophy as it introduces micro-transactions for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. In a blog post announcing that the Nuketown 2025 map was being made available free for all players, Activision community manager Dan Amrich revealed that micro-transactions ranging from $1 to $5 …

Digital gaming specialist Zattikka has signed a deal with Games Workshop to produce free-to-play isometric 3D games based on Warhammer 40,000’s Titans. Zattikka is to develop a title incorporating single, multi-player and social gaming modes, delivering both single and chain mission tactical experiences across a broad platform range, including PC/Mac …

Ken Levine has revealed that the Bioshock film has been cancelled while in production, adding that the decision was ultimately his own. Edge Online reports that Levine spoke on the development at a BAFTA event held in London this week – specifically citing former director Gore Verbinski’s departure over a …

Trio form Loveshack Entertainment and reveal debut project

US retailer's 'first to know' list for Sony's new console reaches 600,000

MLG co-founder Sundance DiGiovanni believes pro gaming in Europe and North America is well on its way” to becoming as popular as it is in markets like South Korea. DiGiovanni revealed to Polygon that the growth and engagement pattern Major League Gaming has experienced shows competitive gaming is on the …

Mobile boom doesn't preclude strong next-gen sales, argues Zelda creator

Former Gamestop vice president Frank Christopher Olivera has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for committing fraud. GI.biz reports Olivera, who previously held the position of VP of corporate communications and public affairs at Gamestop Texas, was charged with defrauding his own company for more than $1.7m. Olivera …

Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima is set to give a technical presentation on the FOX engine at this month’s GDC, but he also has an announcement to make. Kojima posted on Twitter today, ”I will give presentation speech at GDC3013 in SF. It will be tech presentation of FOX …

University of Utah, USC get top spots in US and Canada