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

Big businesses will consider investing heavily in Britain, culture minister claims

Buyers of EA’s upcoming SimCity PC game will need a constant internet connection to play it. Developer Maxis also said that players would be able to purchase the SimCity reboot from digital retail stores other than EA Origin. However, those users will still need an Origin account and internet connection …

Fans of the Aliens franchise may want to hold out for the Nintendo SKU of Colonial Marines. Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford told Vox Games the Wii U edition of his studio’s long, long awaited shooter will come have unique features that makes use of the console’s innovative tablet controller. …

Tax breaks for games made in the UK are back onthe agenda. So MCV spoke to Ed Vaizey, minister for the department of culture, media and sport, to find out why Westminster u-turned on subsidies for developers – and what happens next… The industry was getting tax in 2010. Then …

The first GAME and Gamestation stores to be shut after the chain’s entry into administration have closed their doors. It is estimated that around 300 of the UK’s 609 GAME and Gamestation outlets will cease trading immediately, with the possibility of more to follow if a buyer is not found …

Sales of the Nintendo 3DS leapt to almost 100,000 units in Japan last week, spurred by the release of Kid Icarus: Uprising. Unit sales rose 40 per cent from 64,017 to 94,011 during the week ending March 25th, according to data published on Neogaf, as reported by Gamasutra. 3DS console …

Despite news this morning that a deal to take GAME out of administration is now very close, a new report suggests OpCapita has not yet given up hope. The Independent reports that OpCapita has tabled a fresh bid to acquire GAME’s remaining 333 UK stores. In addition, it also believes …

HMV says its market share on new games has more than doubled. The firm is now getting the support it needs from suppliers. And as a result the latest blockbusters – namely products not stocked by GAME – have been flying off its shelves. But far from feeling triumphant, HMV’s …

GAME must become a smaller, more dedicated specialist should it survive administration, says top games publishers. Earlier this week the chain entered administration and closed 277 stores. Suppliers have told MCV that any new company that emerges must stock a bigger range, reduce its focus on pre-owned and find a …

Oour specialist retail chain is in dire straits, and Britsoft publishers are extinct. But the Coalition Government’s games tax break will re-establish British talent on the global stage, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has told MCV. He said the Government chose a wider subsidy to attract big firms to make more …