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

Amazon has postponed the launch of its PC download platform to 2012. MCV believes the service, live in the US since early 2009, was up-and-running in October.But publishing sources say it will now go live in the UK early next year and miss the originally planned autumn roll-out. US sister …

Activision Blizzard parent Vivendi has squashed industry chatter that it is opening a new games business. Recent rumours swirled that the entertainment firm, which last week bought record label EMI, wants to establish a digital games company separate from the Call of Duty and Warcraft publisher it has a 60 …

Xbox UK’s new retail sales and marketing boss says the 360 has a lot more mileage left in it. In fact Jonathan Grimes tells MCV in an interview this week he won’t be happy until every household has an Xbox. There’s definitely a lot more to achieve,” he offered as …

GAME Group has hit back at its detractors after issuing a profit warning last week. The retail specialist revealed that its like-for-like revenues will be lower than forecast, but said the dip is caused by a flagging games market and low consumer confidence.That didn’t stop national papers suggesting the Group …

The UK website of US giant GameStop.co.uk is kicking off a day of ‘Black Friday’ deals tomorrow, beginning with Uncharted 3 for just 22.97. MCV can reveal that the PS3 game will be lowered to that price at 8am tomorrow (Friday, November 25th) and will be available at that price …

MCV quizzes UKIE board member and Sega UK MD John Clark on the importance of including digital sales into the weekly charts… You spoke at the London Games Conference this month about the evolution of packaged and digital content. Before LGC we surveyed 1,000 industry experts and three quarters said …

Mamma Mia! Here wego again. Ubisoft has revealed the marketing plan for yet another dancing game – one it says is the ‘perfect’ family title this Christmas. ABBA You Can Dance will be promoted by TV ads this month and next, with a video-on-demand campaign running on ITV Player. The …

Following years of sliding viewing figures, WWE is on the comeback trail, says THQ. The firm says WWE’s new family focus and returning superstars, such as The Rock, have helped attract new and old fans. And it comes just in time for THQ, as the publisher prepares to reboot its …

Publisher Deep Silver has announced that the European version of bizarre erotic puzzle game Catherine will include a reversible cover. One side will showcase Katherine, the loving and devoted partner of protagonist Vincent, while the other will display the sexy Catherine. The game has already achieved cult status overseas, thanks …

One of the industry’s favourite spoof Twitter feeds has been suspended – but its owner says that he very much hopes for its return. Called Peter Molydeux, the account parodied the famous outside the box” thinking of acclaimed developer Peter Molyneux, pushing his ides of in-game emotion and context to …