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

Could we about to see the death of the pre-owned software market? Edge claims to have word that the next Xbox will require an always-on internet connection and will block the use of pre-owned games. The site says that a source with first hand experience” of the console itself adds …

The Advertising Standards Agency has issued a warning to Paramount after ads for horror flick Paranormal Activity appeared in family-friendly mobile games. The ASA received complaints that a trailer for the 15-rated movie aired in both Angry Birds and Draw Something, ad were told the scenes were likely to cause …

Emulation rather than native ports the ideal technical direction forward for the platform

Free-to-play FPS Bullet Run is to be closed down on March 8th. Sony Online Entertainment’s PC shooter only went live in August, but billing for the title has already been cancelled with any outstanding subscription charges having been refunded. Developer Acony will retain the rights to the code, but SOE …

Possible asset sale still on as US arm continues breakaway strategy

Trade body seeks clarification on legislation and makes last proposals as tax breaks draw near

The total value of the US video games market declined nine per cent in 2012. NPD estimates that the overall the sector was worth $14.8bn, down from $16.34bn in 2011. The number includes sales of physical and digital games (the latter presumably with a bit of guesswork) as well as …

Sony has unveiled a special God of War SKU for the Playstation 3 that will arrive alongside Ascension next month. The bundle will include a Classic White super-slim model of the console with a 500GB hard drive, and the collector’s edition of upcoming action game God of War: Ascension. The …

Net gains attributed to growth in social and mobile business

Microsoft is rumoured to be preparing a brand new instalment in the Project Gotham series as a launch title for the Next Xbox. STFUandplay has word that a number of former Bizarre Creations and Criterion devs are working on the title at new Liverpool studio Lucid Games. The project is …