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

Chris Roberts’ crowdfunded space simulation project Star Citizen is on a roll. After initially deciding not to include Kickstarter as part of the $2m funding effort, a change of heart has paid off huge for the developer. The game has surpassed its $500,000 goal with 26 days still remaining – …

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board has introduced its no-cost Digital Rating Service. Downloadable games can now receive a free assessment via a questionnaire and receive an official rating from the ESRB. The system (originally revealed back in early 2011) would appear to assist smaller studios by providing a rating parents/guardians …

We’re going to be clear about this from the off – not everyone is going to like The Unfinished Swan. You can finish the game in one sitting, or around two hours. Although that’s at the expense of exploration, of course. And the plot is, how shall we say, slightly …

Underage child workers likely were involved in the production of the Wii U, Nintendo has confessed. The findings come as a result of Nintendo’s own investigation into Foxconn practices that it instigated after claims of child labour emerged last week. Nintendo was concerned to learn that underage individuals had been …

Codemasters has released the first footage of upcoming racer F1 Race Stars. The game sits nicely alongside Codies’ mainstream simulation series by offering a more colourful, cartoonish take on the genre. It also takes some liberties with the licence, with real-life stars featuring bobbleheads and doing loop-the-loops around (obviously) fictional …

Former Kickstarter sceptic's latest project clears goal 26 days ahead of deadline

The latest reinvention of the SimCity franchise has been given a release date on PC and Mac. SimCity, as EA is calling it, will be released on March 8th. The game is powered by GlassBox which EA describes as the most complex simulation engine in its class”. SimCity will engage …

Toy manufacturer LEGO says that video games have helped the firm beat the economic downturn. Traveller’s Tales’ games – which have included LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Indiana Jones, LEGO Harry Potter, LEGO Batman and LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean – have been regular best sellers since 2005. LEGO’s VP and …

Wreck-It Ralph should clean up at the Box Office as games become increasingly mainstream, says Disney. The movie tells of a villain from a fictional 8-bit arcade game trying to find a new role as a good guy in more modern games such as sci-fi FPS Hero’s Duty and Mario …

Pokmon is playing a huge part in Nintendo’s Christmas campaign for 3DS XL. And it has already boosted the platform this week with latest game Pokmon Black/White 2 charting highly. But that is just one of five Pokmon games promoted this Christmas which will attract both parents and kids. Pokmon …