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

Xbox 360 owners can download a new-look dashboard update next month adding cloud storage and voice and gesture controls. The free download will go live on December 6th which will let users scroll through on-screen menus using the Kinect motion accessory. It will also include cloud storage for game saves …

Apple UK has today started publishing weekly charts detailing the most popular apps on its iOS platforms. It is producing four weekly charts: iPhone paid apps, iPhone free apps, iPad paid apps and iPad free apps. Each chart is a top ten, published every Wednesday – it names the app …

Ubisoft Reflections execs to lead mobile games group; Newcastle division formed

The latest IMRG-Hitwise listings claim that Apple has grown to become the second most popular online retailer in the UK. In the process it knocks Argos down to number three for the first time ever. Online behemoth Amazon UK retains its usual No.1 position, of course. The tech world mourned …

Legal action has been launched against retailer GameStop in the US concerning its use of mandatory security checks on employees. The company routinely checks employees before any breaks or after their shifts. However, many are apparently unhappy that these checks take place outside of their contracted hours and the failure …

The markets have reacted dramatically to GAME’s full year revenue target downgrade issued last week. The crash comes despite GAME’s repeated assurances that it continues to outperform the UK market. At the start of play on Wednesday November 16th, the day on which GAME issued its statement, GAME Group’s share …

Having enjoyed success on Xbox 360, Microsoft is to take Kinect to the next stage of its development with a Windows-specific version of the hardware – as well as a potential improvement to the Xbox 360 product. The company had already announced a suite of PC development tools for the …

Big Fish Games has secured an agreement with Apple for a first-of-its-kind subscription games servcie on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. It will use the subscription functionality introduced to iOS as part of the Newsstand app. Bloomberg reports that access to dozens” of titles will be offered for $6.99 a …

SCEE this evening revealed more details about the February 22nd launch of its new handheld games device. PlayStation Vita will come with 11 first-party launch games the firm announced at a London briefing this evening. The firm’s Sony Worldwide Studios Europe Michael Denny claimed that the line-up is one of …

Blizzard, Halfbrick and Slant Six to take stage