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

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

VC firm that invested $31m in the collapsed studio linked with Hetherington

EA’s FIFA 11 sold a staggering 821,000 units in its opening weekend in the UK, MCV can reveal. In total the game made 28.93m, which in itself is more than the total value of the UK video games market in any single week so far in 2010 – including weeks …

Administrator continues to face accusations of missed redundancy compensation

Somebody still needs to finance, develop and market the games, says Epic boss

New UI tech features to be shown at GDC Online 2010

Keita Takahashi, the inimitable game designer who recently broke ties with Namco Bandai, has formed a new independent entertainment company with his wife. The Katamari Damacy creator, now studying English, said his new company – called Uvula – will mainly work with music and video games”. His new business partner …