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

Developer Raven Software, the studio behind recent first person shooter release Singularity, has been hit with mass layoffs, according to reports. Kotaku says that around 40 positions have been cut. Owner Activision has not confirmed the number, though did say in a statement: With the recent completion of Singularity, Raven …

Swadesh Animation adopts Swedish project management tools

One of the developers working on this week’s new release Medal of Honor has claimed that most of the criticism aimed at EA’s title comes from those who aren’t familiar with the nature of video games. The objection was, kind of from an older generation that doesn’t understand games, that …

Sales rumors confirmed by Japanese firm

Oh how times change. The rivalry between the immaculately designed and delicately paced Mario and the cooler, speedier Sonic was once the defining relationship of an entire generation of games consoles. Now the once distinct line between the two is blurring even further. Speaking to IGN, Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka …

40 jobs lost at Activision-owned studio

Five years on from its formation and with just one game to show for it, EA has confirmed that its collaborative partnership with Hollywood movie director Steven Spielberg has been cancelled. The pair has until recently still thought to be working on the secretive Project LMNO. However, speaking to Gamasutra …

What does the Foursquare mobile app mean for developers?

Publisher Sega has admitted that it has in the past been over-enthusiastic with its forecasting, resulting the perception that its titles have failed to deliver as expected. Speaking to MCV in his first interview since becoming European boss, Jurgen Post admitted that the misjudgement has caused some in the trade …

Platform holder Microsoft has finally announced a firm date for the European launch of its Windows Phone 7 platform – October 21st. The news comes from an ongoing press conference, into which none other Apple-evangelist Stephen Fry has just been welcomed. Cast aside those doubts you had about Microsoft being …