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

â??We were in the middle of a nail-biterâ?? says the firmâ??s CEO

It’s one of the most successful publisher’s in the sector, but THQ has indicated that it’s to focus less on licensed kids titles in the future. In 2010 THQ has released games based on licenses such as Megamind, Marvel Super Hero Squad, Madagascar, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Last Airbender. But …

Zynga has purchased Texas-based mobile game studio Newtoy, the group has confirmed. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Speaking at a Develop-attended conference call, Zynga’s vice president of mobile, David Ko, said the purchase of Newtoy represented what was the beginning of a new era for the Farmville …

The culture minister, Ed Vaizey, has claimed his department will resist calls for game tax breaks in what he calls a three or four year hiatus”. That would suggest the Coalition Government won’t promise state support for the British games industry until the next election looms. The Conservative Party, of …

EA boss gives the Mac firm a vote of confidence

Microsoft’s incredible financial might may have allowed it to break into the console market in the last decade, but what chance could any potential new contender realistically have of doing the same? Not much, according to EA vice president Eric Soderlund, though he can name one company who might just …

Ten companies to be offered â?¬50,000 and mentoring for 10 per cent equity

Future Publishing took home the grand prize at the MCV and Xbox 360 Industry Pub Quiz last night. The team beat out the likes of Comet, Ubisoft, HMV and rivals Gamespot, Dennis and IGN. It was in fact a trio of media darlings in the final top three, with IGN …

â??Three or four year hiatusâ?? before the coalition returns to the issue

European sales of Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood have led the brand past the 20m milestone – and proved wrong those doubters at retail, says Ubisoft. Speaking last week as MCVuk.com revealed the game hit 1m copies sold across Europe, EMEA sales and marketing chief Geoffroy Sardin said the success silenced those …