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

HMV has made a number of key changes to its Head Office team. The moves are designed to boost the firm’s online and digital business, as well as grow new categories such as technology. Commercial director Steve Napleton (pictured right) will now focus exclusively on developing the retailer’s e-commerce, digital …

Sony has confirmed plans to release a LittleBigPlanet 2 hardware bundle which was spotted on the online portal of leading UK games retailer GAME. Speaking to VG247, the platform holder said that the 291.05 SKU, which includes the game and a 320GB version of the Slim console, will arrive at …

Alice Taylor and Honeyslug join growing speaker list

Platform offers download-while-you-play service

RPG specialists also looking for social and browser developers

Ubisoft says expanding to the children’s market was a logical move for its best-selling dance games. The publisher wants to capture this demographic with the release of Dance Juniors for Wii next month. The game was previously released in the US as Just Dance Kids, but Ubisoft’s UK team has …

UK distributor Gem has filled another key position as Philip Munro joins its ranks. Munro has been named as business development manager for non-home entertainment categories. His appointment is the latest part of Gem’s new vision, as the firm vies to expand its operations and seize a larger share of …

Gaming will play a greater role in this year’s Toy Fair thanks to products based on some of the sector’s biggest names. Toy Fair 2011 will once again take place in the Grand Hall at London’s Olympia venue, running from January 25th to 27th. Up to 250 exhibitors are expected …

New online retailer Bee.com has signalled its intentions in the video games market by offering a number of upcoming new titles for a discounted price of 29.99. Part of the Music Box Leisure Group, the site offers a range of goods including DVD, Blu-ray, music and gadget. Its games offering …

CEO says many games are re-expressions of the same ideas