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

Today, Sidhe’s iPhone unit PikPok released its first browser-based game, a goal-kicking Java game for Adidas called ‘Own the game’. Players must flick their mouse across a moving ball to hit moving sprite-based teammates amongst markers, in what turns out to be a very fun promotional game for Adidas‘ new …

After anin-principle agreement was reached by the Attorneys-General, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC)has been drafting points on the new policy on R18+. On the ALRC web site, a list of the key principles being adhered to for the creation of the new R18+ guidelines has been posted, with people …

After already having received substantial funding from investors, Bubble Gum Interactive now reports it has received an additional AUD$200’000. The developer announced that Sydney Angel Sidecar Fund, an AUD$10 million fund looking to disperse amongst early stage business ventures over the next 5 years, has chosen to invest in Bubble …

Develop continues its profiles of emerging and leading technology

Tubby Games has signed a distribution deal with Koch Media for its first release, Now! That’s What I Call Music: The Game. The Wii exclusive is a hybrid dancing and singing game, produced with EMI. Now! has been ubiquitous for over 30 years,” said Koch MD Craig McNicol. We are …

Blizzard has dismissed fears that PC?MMO World of Warcraft is on the wane. The developer and publisher reported 11.4m subscribers in its last financial report, a drop of 600,000 since its 2010 high when the expansion pack Cataclysm was launched. But the company believes it can still ‘build and sustain’ …

The man responsible for getting more games on Facebook wants it to start hosting core crowd pleasers like shooters and footy sims. In an interview with MCV, Facebook’s global head of game partnerships Sean Ryan said he wants the site to have as broad a selection as that found on …

Publisher Konami is using social networks to win back PES fans. The firm enjoyed a positive” Gamescom for its flagship football franchise, which has suffered in the face of a resurgent FIFA in recent years. Konami is ramping up its PR and marketing investment in social networks, and plans to …

Consumers can go hands on with Dance! It’s Your Stage at the UK Street Dance and World Street Dance Championships. The latter event runs from August 26th to August 28th at the Opera House & Winter Gardens in Blackpool while the former takes place in Harrow on November 12th. Attendees …

The GamesMaster Golden Joystick Awards has been revamped for 2011. Future Publishing’s editorial co-ordinator George Walter explains to MCV what has changed for this year’s event and what companies need to do to win… What’s different about this year’s Golden Joysticks? This year, the Joysticks’ 29th, the awards are in …