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

UK outsourcer promises rapid-turnaround on facial animation at all production stages

Not all independent retailers are struggling, with Grainger Games and Alworths opening new stores this week. Grainger Games will open its 40th store today (Friday, October 1st) in Liverpool. The new outlet can be found in the City Centre on Lord Street, and the opening day is being attended by …

Blizzard has announced that the upcoming World of Warcraft: Cataclysm expansion for PC and Mac will be released on December 7th, alleviating fears that it could miss 2010 altogether. A Collector’s edition SKU will be available from retail, while the game can also be purchased digitally from the Blizzard store. …

Developer and publisher Rockstar has won substantial” damages from The Daily Star following its claim in July that the company was planning a new Grand Theft Auto based on the Rothbury shootings. The Daily Star report centred on a mocked-up cover for the fictional title. The author of the story, …

John Pleasants to share top job with Yahoo head James Pitaro

Publisher EA hopes that future instalments in the highly lucrative The Sims series could see a simultaneous release on console and PC. The claim comes ahead of the release of The Sims 3 on Xbox 360 and PS3 on October 29th. It arrived on PC on June 5th this year. …

Independent retailers say they will struggle to stock new games when the VAT rise comes into effect next year. The already troubled indie sector says it will have to fight harder against High Street chains and supermarkets in order to break even or make a profit from the latest releases. …

Looking back at The Sims franchise, what would you say was key to its initial success?The Sims is unique in that it is so universal. It represents life. You can go to any country in the world and people play The Sims and they can find themselves in it. This …

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit will be the best game in the racing series’ 16 year history, says EA. The firm told MCV that the combination of acclaimed developer Criterion Games, a socially-focused online mode and official car licences makes the franchise more accessible than before. UK product manager for …

A close look at EAâ??s mobile line-up for the coming holiday