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

US retailer Best Buy has defended the $30 charge it is asking of US customers to update the firmware on their PS3s – a procedure that’s completely free to any consumer with access to the internet. Best Buy’s Geek Squad offers services to support virtually all the gear we sell …

Need to know details:When? Thursday, November 4th No, When Exactly? Conference runs from 17:00 to 20:15 – dinner and drinks continue to midnight. Where? BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London www.londongamesconference.com 1. LAST YEAR’S WAS GOOD… The London Games Conference made its debut last year. The idea was to create a UK-based, …

Ngmoco and Team 17 to speak at the December event

Widespread restructure sees digital divisions merge

Speaking in an interview with Develop, BioShock creator Ken Levine has stated that he’s turned down the chance to co-develop games with Hollywood directors, adding that the game industry needs to grow out of being star-struck” from the film industry. I was offered the chance to make a game with …

Sega has fulfilled the dreams of a legion of hardcore gamers by announcing that a third Shenmue game is in development. But in possibly less enthralling news, it’s only going to be a mobile phone title. And at the moment it’s only planned for Japan. Kotaku reports that Shenmue Town …

Tesco has become the first retailer to show its hand and declare its day one price for Konami’s PES 2011, which is released in the UK tomorrow. The supermarket will sell the game for just 30, no strings attached. It’s a different strategy to that it adopted with FIFA 11 …

A limited edition red Nintendo Wii will arrive in Japan next month to mark the 25th anniversary of Mario. The bundle will include a Wii, Nunchuck, MotionPlus Remote and a copy of the original Super Mario Bros NES game pre-installed on the console’s hard drive. This will feature new touches …

id Software and Bethesda owner partners again with Providence Equity

Poor or average Sonic The Hedgehog games can no longer be bought new at retail. Sega has de-listed certain Sonic titles in order to ‘increase the value of the brand’ and avoid confusing the consumer. The firm plans to launch three new Sonic games this Christmas – Sonic Colours and …