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

Less than two years after it rose from the ashes of former High Street giant Woolworths, rumours are circulating that the chain might be heading for trouble. Retail Week reports that the 17 store chain, which is headed up by Woolworths’ former head of store and concession development Andy Latham, …

HTML5 engine pioneer Rocket Pack now a subsidiary of Hollywood entertainment giant

We speak to the firm that plans to turn your life into a game

With 75m downloads, you’d be forgiven for thinking that smash hit game Angry Birds is on the verge of hitting its limit. But Finnish developer Rovio, which created the game and has grown it into a massive franchise over the last year, says much more is to come. Including not …

Microsoft has announced that gamers can gain access to the upcoming beta for Gears of War 3 by pre-ordering from GAME Group stores. Anyone that orders the game from GAME or Gamestation will be able to try out the multiplayer when its trial begins on April 25th. The beta will …

Developer Rovio also says driving and sport spin-offs possible once Rio tie-in is out; console versions still on-course

In a frank and honest admission, publisher THQ has revealed its aspirations for upcoming shooter Homefront to compete with the very biggest names in the first person shooter sector. When asked by Eurogamer if he’d like to see his title competing with the likes of Call of Duty and Battlefield, …

Cliff Bleszinski has claimed that any middle class games” released are doomed to failure in the current market. Speaking to developers at GDC 2011 in San Francisco, he said that only triple-A or indie titles can hope to see success because they stand out, according to Eurogamer. I’m going to …

UK video games retailer GAME has begun offering pre-orders for pre-owned versions of the latest titles, MCV understands. It’s the first time that a UK retailer has allowed customers to pre-order a used version of a game before its released on the High Street. News of the offer has cropped …

Publisher Ubisoft has announced a new partnership with Nivea that has seen the pair publish free downloadable DLC for Xbox 360 Kinect fitness title Your Shape: Fitness Evolved. The new workout has apparently been developed by "Nivea’s fitness and lifestyle expert Sarah Maxwell". The free content, which is called Nivea …