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

Lucas Licensing has renewed its Star Wars deal with The LEGO Group, extending it by another 10 years. The deal was originally secured in 1999, and was the first time the toy firm had released products based on third-party licences. It has since produced toys based on Harry Potter, Indiana …

Physical goods business 'has great momentum' Rovio tells Develop

The Hut Group, which includes the e-tail specialist Zavvi, has reported sales growth of 70 per cent for 2011. Total sales for the year stood at 142 million – 92 per cent of which came through the groups own websites, while the remainder was generated by services rendered to retail …

Industry leading MMO lost 100,000 active users in most recent quarter - 700,000 less than previous period

Shuhei Yoshida has admitted that the development team working on delayed PS3 exclusive The Last Guardian is facing some very difficult challenges”. The game is the creation of Fumito Ueda, who infamously stepped down from Sony last year, though he remains employed s a developer on a contracted basis. The …

Bethesda pays respects as developer loses battle with cancer

Nintendo has confirmed that gamers will be able to download a demo of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater this Thursday from the Nintendo eShop. The free taster will showcase the new 3DS-specific controls and visuals, and will be free to download from Thursday. Also arriving on the same day …

Outspoken developer begins preparation for new San Diego studio

Four popular UK’s games journalists have co-founded a new website dedicated to digital games: Hookshot Inc. Christian Donlan, Simon Parkin, Will Porter and Keith Stuart have decades of experience between them, with work published in Edge, Eurogamer, Gamasutra, The Guardian, Official PlayStation Magazine, PC Zone, PC Gamer, Rock Paper Shotgun …

Tim Schafer's team quadruples budget target