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

Google’s mobile operating system Android grew 1,580 per cent year-on-year to 7.9m units in 4Q 2010, according to data from IDC. The Western European mobile phone market grew 3.2 per cent year-on-year to this quarter, with shipments of smartphones increasing to 25.6m units, 99.4 per cent higher than in 4Q09. …

There are two ways you can react upon reading a typical gaming outcry in the mainstream media. You can cry foul. Or you can take the piss. Or maybe we should instead just plain ignore it? We’ve had a discussion in the office this morning. My erstwhile editor-in-chief thinks that …

Epic Games’ chief Mark Rein says the NGP will offer a ridiculously compelling” console experience to gamers. Speaking to Eurogamer at GDC, he claimed the addition of dual analogue sticks will boost the PSP successor’s appeal to shooter fans and encourage people to play it for longer periods of time. …

Platform holder promises renewed focus on PC gaming

The official 3DS launch will take place at HMV’s flagship Oxford Street store at midnight on March 25th. Nintendo has partnered with the High Street entertainment retailer to open a total of 100 stores at midnight, while a separate VIP event – complete with a HMV pop-up shop – will …

Plan approved to close down American studio following Konami buyout

It has been confirmed that Sony Computer Entertainment America’s senior VP of marketing and PlayStation network Peter Dille has left the company. Dille spent eight years at SCEA before heading to THQ in 1999. He then rejoined his former employer in 2006. A replacement has not yet been named, nor …

Trailer released following days of shaky-cam footage

Even if hackers do succeed in circumventing the security measures included in Nintendo’s 3DS handheld, there are indications that a nasty surprise lays in store for those who do. Kotaku reports that Japanese retailer Enterking has stated that it will not be accepting any 3DS units that have been used …

Windows and Xbox 360 platform holder Microsoft has promised that its PC service Games for Windows Live will "continue to get better". Speaking to CVG, Microsoft’s senior producer of interactive entertainment Kevin Unangst told CVG that the service "lacked fantastic games" and had endured what he called a "rocky start". …