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

The next game in the SingStar series launches this week – and it’s free (sort of). The SingStar client will be available to download to the PS3 Cross Media Bar at no cost, consumers will just need to fork out for an ‘audio-input device’ and the songs. Short demo versions …

Live NBA games are heading to the 360 via Xbox Live’s new NBA Game Time app. The app, in conjunction with NBA League Pass, will give Xbox Live Gold subs access to regular season games in 720p, for a price – those interested can purchase either a Premium or Choice …

A request from the British Phonographic Industry for ISPs to block access to three additonal torrent sharing sites has been rebuffed. The BBC reports that the BPI sent a letter – which was subsequently leaked – to BT, Sky, Virgin Media, O2, EE and TalkTalk asking that they voluntarily block …

Xbox 720 will likely launch with cut-price hardware subsidised through monthly subscriptions. That’s the impression given by Microsoft in an interview with The Wall Street Journal in which it describes such retail models as pivotal to our business” and outlines plans to roll the deals out across the whole of …

Xbox360Achievements.org and PS3Trophies.org will be taking over the London MCM Expo’s games stage. CBS Interactive owned GameSpot, who have sponsored the games stage over the last few years, has pulled out due to other commitments. The stage will highlight upcoming games releases with presentations from publishers. Being able to bring …

In his first interview as Ubisoft’s new head of UK marketing, Mark Slaughter tells MCV how the publishing giant uses more than big budgets to reach millions of consumers with its flagship franchises. What are your plans for Ubisoft’s marketing strategy going forwards? What changes will you bring? In the …

Epic Japan to provide local support and work directly with studios

Will Luton on how the combination of various genres and platforms are driving a new era of innovation

Research from Flinders University in Australia have linked late-night game-playing to disturbed sleep. MedicalXpress reports that 17 participants were asked tom play an unspecified newly released, fast-paced, violent video game” for either 50 or 150 minutes across two nights and then monitored as they slept in the university’s Sleep Lab. …

Sony has been cleared of multiple charges levelled at the firm regarding last year’s headline-hitting PSN hack. Courthouse News reports that US District Judge Anthony Battaglia threw out charges including negligence, unjust enrichment, bailment and violations of California consumer protection statutes”. The reason given was that none of the named …