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

Google continues to build new empire by acquiring social studios

Studio restructures management team as focus shifts to downloads

Growing game industry association spawns new division

Microsoft European developer account manager Ben Board goes through the potential pitfalls

NaturalMotion is leading a new drive to give animators the tools and recognition they deserve

Microsoft has upped the price of Xbox Live Gold membership in the UK, US, Canada and Mexico. In the UK the price has increased for 4.99 per month to 5.99. For UK users who pay monthly this represents an annual increase of 12. Those who pay for XBL access once …

Famed racing developer Polyphony Digital has stated that owners of Gran Turismo 5 will have to endure a 10GB install if they want ‘a smooth play experience’. Andriasang reports that series creator Kazunori Yamauchi confirmed the details via Twitter, though he added that only a 250MB install will be mandatory. …

Team 17 has turned its back on third-party publishers in favour of digital distribution. The UK-based studio is returning to its publishing roots by increasing the number of downloadable games it produces – at least 15 SKUs in 2010 alone. The company has only released two boxed games over the …

Green Man Gaming is hiring seven new recruits after securing additional funding. The ambitious digital firm is also launching its mobile Android platform next year, and is seeking partnerships with retailers across the world – including those based in the US. CEO Paul Sulyok said: We will be rolling our …

Seven leading video games publishers have already signed up for MCM Expo. Firms that will be exhibiting at the October show include Nintendo, EA, Ubisoft, Capcom, Namco Bandai, Tecmo Koei and Rising Star. MCM Expo’s organisers are also hoping to sign up new publishers that have not attended before. We are …