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

Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops is starting to look like a permanent feature at the top of the UKIE GfK Chart-Track All Formats Top 40 this week as the shooter claims its fourth UK No.1 of the year. The only game so far that’s been able to (temporarily) dethrone …

Virtual Actor Studio opens doors after two months of refurbishments

The launch2005 Obviously this was a key moment. I remember the launch night fondly. And the console was a big step: it introduced HD gaming to the world. Halo 32007 Halo 3 really showcased gaming breaking out of being just a pastime and becoming an entertainment property beyond what a …

Microsoft has confirmed that Kinect support is still part of the plan for Forza Motorsport 4, which was shown at Saturday nights VGAs. Speaking to IGN a company spokesperson stated: We showcased a Kinect-enabled project from Turn 10 Studios at E3 2010, which let players explore and experience their dream …

It has been confirmed that Kratos, the god-killer made famous by Sony’s God of War series, will appear as a playable character in Warner’s upcoming new game in the Mortal Kombat series. With him will come a God of War arena, specific fatalities tailored to the character and moves that …

A number of 2011’s biggest hitters were seen for the first time over the weekend at the Spike TV Video Game Awards. Leading was the charge was EA’s Mass Effect 3. BioWare’s latest RPG title is due out on Xbox 360, PC and PS3, marking the first time that the …

The world’s biggest digital games retailer is under attack. MCV understands that key ‘traditional’ retailers will drop titles that integrate the popular Steam service as fears mount that the it has a ‘monopoly’ on the download market. Insiders say Steam, run by US studio Valve, serves a massive 80 per …

Amazon.co.uk has rolled out a trade-in service that allows users to mail in games in exchange for credit. The move comes following a similar pre-owned offering on the US Amazon website. Consumers can currently trade-in Fallout: New Vegas on PS3 for 16.50, Medal of Honor on Xbox 360 for 21, …

There seems to be no way of throwing of Ubisoft’s groove as the leader of the dance games market on Wii as the publisher reveals its next title. Dance Juniors will arrive on February 4th and is targeted at younger gamers – so expect it to feature classic kids tunes …

MCV has increased its print and web readership to highest-ever levels. A Google Analytics audit has shown that MCVuk.com attracted 374,038 unique visitors and 826,926 page views in November, both record figures for the site. Also, the weekly print edition is continuing to benefit from its digital distribution via Apple …