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

Sega has confirmed it will shut down a number of its European offices as its business switches to new digital content and just select IP for retail. The company will close offices in France, Germany, Spain, Australia and Benelux as it turns its attentions to digital product. Koch Media will …

NCsoft has confirmed that anticipated MMO Guild Wars 2 will be released in Europe and North America on August 28th. We’re offering gamers an experience that delivers on the promise of online gaming with a truly social experience in an immense, shared world,” ArenaNet president and co-founder Mike O’Brien said. …

Nintendo has confirmed an October 12th release date for RPG due Pokemon White 2 and Pokemon Black 2 in the UK. The pair are the latest in the successful series to appear on Nintendo’s now aging DS. Nintendo will certainly be hoping they manage to recreate their Japanese success – …

What appears to be a number of confirmed Half-Life 3 concept artworks have been leaked online. The images originate from a Picasa album (that has since been removed) owned by Valve artist Andrea Andrea Wicklund. Now OXM reports that community mods on the Steam forums have confirmed the legitimacy of …

UK PS3 owners are more willing to pay for digital content than Xbox gamers. That’s according to the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel. The data specialist revealed that in the UK, 8m people bought a digital film, TV show or game in the past year. The firm says that 17 …

Retailers want Wii U to be priced at 250 when it launches. But Nintendo could be prepared to set a cost price that will allow shops to sell cheaper than that – and ensure the machine is this Christmas’ must-have gaming item. One senior publisher confidently told MCV that the …

Online retailer GameStop has kicked off an aggressive hardware sale. The headline offer is a discounted PlayStation Vita. The Wi-Fi model is available for just 189.97 – that’s 30 cheaper than it is currently priced on some competitor’s websites. The 3G version is also on sale at 229.97. Also on …

Hi-Rez Studios’ free to play first person shooter Tribes: Ascend is now available on Steam. The game remains free, although gamers do have the option of purchasing the Starter Pack. The 7.49 download (soon to rise to 14.99) includes a lifetime 50 per cent XP boost, two special classes, 12 …

A New Zealand judge has ruled that the search warrants used to allow the raids of Megaupload owner Kim Dotcom were invalid”. The file-sharing site was shut down in January and its owner, Kim Dotcom, along with four others were arrested. The BBC, however, reports High Court judge Justice Helen …

New outings for Metal Gear, Pro Evolution Soccer and Castlevania will all be available to play in Cologne this August. Konami will give consumers the chance to check out its biggest upcoming games for themselves, as well as live streams, trailers and interviews for anyone that is unable to make …