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

EA stock down 9%; Activision down 5%; Take-Two down 9%; THQ down 8%; FTSE suffers record losses

Since the beginning of 2010 the total number of US internet users who have been legally approached regarding BitTorrent piracy has now hit 200,000. TorrentFreak reports that the tactic has now become a feasible new revenue stream for copyright holders. Typically, once the contact details of those who have allegedly …

Following a quarter of decline for the publisher, Take-Two has pledged future diversity in its software offerings. That’s not to say the period was without success. Recent release LA Noire has now sold 4m units, though considering Rockstar has been bankrolling that game for half a decade it’s unknown whether …

iPhone indie giant ZeptoLab has opened a new UK satellite group to accompany its Moscow-based headquarters. Company documents seen by Develop show the new UK division is based in London’s inner city and run by new director Zuy Spartak. And the group appears to have ended its partnership with EA’s …

Though Enfield largely escaped the widespread violence and looting that swept the UK last night, the Sony DADC distribution centre in the town was set alight. There are not believed to have been any injuries as a result of the attack. The significant blaze is still being tackled by fire …

Dare to be Digital 2011 team Team Swallowtail talks exclusively to Develop about working on their entry title Tick Tock Toys.

The Australian Classification Board is reporting that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: Defiance has just been rated M. The title doesn’t exist on Activision’s release schedule or web site anywhere. Activision has told MCV that Defiance is the title given to the Nintendo DS version of Modern Warfare 3, …

Kotaku has reported that Australian and New Zealand players won’t be locked out of overseas servers if they purchase The Old Republic from overseas. A couple of weeks ago MCV reported that Australia and New Zealand would not be launch territories for Star Wars: The Old Republic. With the game …

The Australian Productivity Commission has released a report which outlines the state of Australian retail, and cites game price disparity as a problem. The report outlines several key factors influencing retail purchasing trends, and targets the inflated local price of videogames as a major driver of consumers to purchase from …

Take Two Interactive has announced its Q1 2011 financial results, declaring a $8.6m loss, compared to $27.4mincome for Q1 2010. Key sales were led by Rockstar product, with L.A. Noire being its top new IP selling in over 4m units, and Red Dead Redemption leading the back catalogue, having sold …