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

A number of top releases and an impressive display of strength in Japan has helped Namco Bandai to a very strong H1. The publisher posted a profit of 64m for the six months ending September 30th. In the same period in 2010 it reported a 15m loss. Revenues climbed 121.4 …

Company changes hands again just ten months after acquisition

Core gamer conversion rate of paying users above 10% on new title, says Supercell CEO

It looks as if work is already underway on one of 2011’s surprise hits. Siliconera reports that Dead Island developer Techland has filed a trademark for Dead World. It’s not hard to see where that line of thinking could potentially take the already very open and free-roaming franchise. Dead Island …

Zoo World studio to be reduced to 90 staff

Apple has confirmed that the unusually low battery life seen by some iPhone 4S owners is down to a bug in iOS 5. Some iPhone 4S owners found that battery life was very low and a number of workarounds circulated that improved matters for some users including disabling the time …

Ubisoft has bought Finland-based developer RedLynx, the studio best known for its Trials Xbox Live game. The publisher has bought the company as part of its active plans to grow its online output. RedLynx has produced some 100 games since 2000. We are delighted to welcome RedLynx to the Ubisoft …

The schemes have their critics, but Codemasters says publishers had no choice but to introduce Online Passes. The tactic has seen software houses include one-time codes in new copies of their titles to unlock content. Pre-owned users must buy the code online to access the same content. Online Passes have …

One of the year’s bestselling games will get a sequel in just a few weeks. 505 Games has confirmed with MCV that it has officially signed up the rights to Zumba Fitness 2 for Wii. The game will debut on November 25th. A Kinect version will arrive in Q1 2012. …

EA has enlisted Bad Boys and Transformers director Michael Bay to direct a new ad for upcoming street racer Need for Speed: The Run. However, if you fancy watching it you’ll need to head over to the game’s Facebook page and ‘like’ or ‘share’ the clip. When enough punters have …