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

Publishers must lower the cost of games, retailers have warned – or they will cut back buying new stock when VAT rises in 2011. Buyers and store bosses are fearful that they’ll have to swallow next year’s 2.5 per cent tax rise in order to remain competitive – and want …

With more MMOs turning to the growing digital retail sector, with creators selling the game to consumers via a downloadable client, the question of how retail will fit into the future of the sector arises. We’re in a bit of strange transition at the moment,” says Codemasters’ David Solari. Publishers …

The boxed release of upcoming MMO Rift: Planes of Telara will be distributed in Europe by Ubisoft, it has been revealed. The multi-year deal with developer Trion Worlds grants Ubisoft publishing rights in France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and both the Benelux and Nordic regions. The game is due out next …

Havoc caused by Icelandic volcano incident sparks viral flash game

Free-to-play online game Playboy Party has launched today on popular social network Facebook. It’s Jolt Online’s first game published since the firm was acquired by GameStop, and allows players to throw the best party to set scores and unlock content. Playboy Party is currently in open beta and is free …

Submissions open for the Zoo Publishing indie games contest

Social game giant Zynga could be on the verge of surpassing revenues of $400 million for the calendar year, independent data and user trends suggest. HIS Screen Digest games analyst Piers Harding-Rolls has revealed some of his firm’s own research data to Develop, and calculates that the Facebook games group …

Users of Xbox Live are now able to register for the Xbox Live Rewards program, a new scheme that offers to dish out real Microsoft Points for free. It’s open to any Gold Members of the service who are registered in either the UK or US. Points will be awarded …

Social game giant took in over $200 million last year, according to independent data revealed to Develop

As if accusing FIFA execs of bribery wasn’t enough, next week BBC’s Panorama threatens to lift the lid on ‘games addiction’. With an agenda sure to put UKIE and senior publisher PR teams on red alert, the show examines ‘how manufacturers ensure gamers keep coming back for more’. Earlier this …