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

Version 1.5 offers real-time multiplayer, updates physics, and more

UK retailer GAME has put the PC version of EA-published Valve title Portal 2 on sale today, a day ahead of its official release. The game was released digitally via Steam yesterday, though the official release date for the boxed versions is tomorrow. "We had a conversation with EA yesterday …

Chris DeWolfe, the former MySpace CEO, has bought out a mobile games group and another network as part of a wider acquisition spree. DeWolfe already owns the social games platform MindJolt, which in 2010 he filled with a number of former MySpace executives to run the outfit. He’s now purchased …

ShopTo.net has launched a news sites as part of its online offering. The firm – which won the prize for best Independent Retailer at this year’s MCV Awards – will now deliver news stories, reviews and other editorial to its customers through www.shoptonews.net. The firm has also hired former VG247 …

JamLegend staff transfer to the FarmVille giant, reports claim

Mastertronic will release Heroes of Might & Magic Complete tomorrow. The title is a compilation of Ubisoft and 3DO’s strategy series that sees players commanding vast armies of fantasy characters. The collection includes five full titles and seven expansion packs. The Heroes of Might & Magic series has been around …

Itâ??s never been a more uncertain time in the industry, says studio exec

Argos’ parent company Home Retail Group has reported a drop in full year profits. The firm has cited the tough retail conditions and a decline in gaming as reasons for the drop. Sales are down three per cent to 5,852 million and its profits are down 13 per cent to …

Two of PS3’s most interesting and anticipated titles may now not be released in 2011. The European PlayStation blog has confirmed that the HD re-workings of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus will not now arrive this spring, and new title The Last Guardian will miss its Q4/holiday release window. …

You are your own worst enemy. Well, probably not YOU. Obviously the vast majority of MCVuk.com readers are of sane mind and valiant heart. And will be rewarded in the afterlife with countless riches and, I don’t know, Vimto on tap. Or something. But there’s no escaping the fact that …