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

A newOfcom reportreveals that the UK has taken over Japan as the world leader in mobile use. Consumers are downloading more data on their mobiles and tablets than any other major nation, with 16 per cent of all website traffic in the UK coming from mobile devices. Internet shopping is …

European distributor Koch Media is venturing into free-to-play games by investing in the company behind Brick-Force. Koch has acquired a significant minority stake in Berlin-based developer/publisher Infernum Productions. The move will give the firm a stronger presence in the growing sector. Infernum is best known for its F2P sandbox shooter …

Industry veteran claims it is 'pretty much guaranteed' developers will target the standard

An innovative reinvention of cult platform the Neo Geo is now on sale. The Neo Geo X Gold Limited Edition is available from Blaze for 175 in the UK. It costs $199 in the US, although some retailers – notably Amazon – are selling it for as much as $245. …

A new campaign is urging players of online shooters to abstain from their habit on Friday December 21st. A Facebook group entitled Day Of Ceasefire For Online Shooters wants gamers across the globe to down their digital weapons for a day in memory of those lost in the Connecticut school …

Gem is offering independent retailers discounts on some of the Xbox 360’s most popular titles. It’s part of a last chance savings deal that also includes Xbox Live membership packages and selected accessories, giving stores the chance to stock up before Christmas. Games on offer include Halo Reach, Fable III, …

There is no-one and nothing to blame for the dreadful events in Connecticut other than the man who pulled the trigger. End of. So today’s Express headline, Killer Adam Lanza ‘obsessed’ with violent video games”, absolutely sickens me. That the paper then goes on to blame a shockingly violent fantasy …

The Business Secretary Vince Cable has launched an investigation of the circumstances surrounding OpCapita’s acquisition of Comet and the chain’s subsequent collapse. The decision comes amidst growing unease about OpCapita owner Henry Jackson who will reportedly pocket some 50m as Comet prepares to close its doors today. Other reports claim …

New indie mobile and handheld studio open for business

Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley believes the free-to-play model’s reputation has taken a hit because Zynga has ‘monetisation products’ masquerading as games. Smedley told PC Gamer the social and mobile games company is to blame for "the reputation [the f2p model] got from early in its life, especially in …