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

David Braben explores possible solutions to the growing prevalence of data hacking

With BioShock Infinite, Irrational Games might just exceed the quality bar set by the groundbreaking first title. Develop asks director of product development Timothy Gerritsen how production is going

The realisation last night of EA’s much-rumoured buyout of PopCap has positioned the publisher as one of the powerhouses of digital gaming, according to EA boss John Riccitiello. The outspoken exec told investors last night that the move is EA’s first step toward becoming a $1bn a year digital gaming …

After kicking off at AV Con (pictured) in June, Triumph Leisure Solutions (TLS) plans to carry on monthly World Cyber Games (WCG) events throughout 2011, and has big plans to carry on into the future. TLS recently announced its full list of WCG events for the remainder of the year. …

Sniper: Ghost Warrior has been a quiet achiever in Australia / New Zealand, selling almost 70’000 units in the territory so far becoming AFA Interactive’s biggest title for 2011 so far. Robert Allford, managing director of AFA, says: Sniper: Ghost Warrior has been an outstanding success for us. We feel …

EA has moved to acquire social and casual games specialist PopCap for a deal that could eventually be worth $1.3bn. The publisher has bought the firm – best known for hit casual titles Plants vs Zombies, Peggle,Bejeweled and Zuma – for $650m in cash plus $100m in stock. PopCap’s owners …

Peggle studio 'to accelerate EA push towards a $1 billion digital business'

HMV has recruited Michael Neil as its new commercial director. Neil was the recent commercial director at Waterstone’s, which HMV sold to Russian billionaire Alexander Mamut for 53m. Neil replaced Gary Warren, who has decided to leave the retailer to pursue new interest. Warren has worked for the entertainment firm …

Future Publishing has closed its on-console PS3 video magazine FirstPlay to make way for a new, free show. The new show – which is currently unnamed – will be free to eligible UK PSN account holders. It will be ‘aligned with SCE UK’s Access to PlayStation community strategy,’ and will …

Speaking to MCV earlier today, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has that his company has made its fourth casual gaming acquisition in two and a half years. The publisher has acquired Paris-based studio Owlient, developer of a number of free-to-play titles, owner of the Howrse IP and home of some 2m …