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

A US analyst has refuted claims that games featuring a female lead are being shunned by publishers due to their inability to perform in the market. The subject came to light earlier this month when it was claimed that Activision altered development of the game that has eventually become True …

New media outfit offers redundant Dundee developers an alternative to job applications

Greater involvement from its Western arm in the future development of its titles will ensure that Capcom is never embroiled in another racism row, the publisher has vowed. In March 2009 some critics labelled Resident Evil 5 racist due to its depiction of African zombies in conflict with the stereotypical …

Just Flight has announced details of its flight simulator exhibition, which will debut next month. The event will take place at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford during the Battle of Britain Air Show, which is held on Saturday September 4th and Sunday September 6th. Just Flight has teamed up …

Nintendo’s handheld painting title Art Academy has topped the DS charts for the second successive week. The game is also at No.6 in the All Formats Top 40, having dropped one place from last week’s No.5, thanks to a widespread TV marketing campaign. Nintendo’s UK product manager for DS James …

A Microsoft rep speaking to Canadian event X10 has reportedly spilled the beans on Microsoft’s plans to provide real-time online multiplayer between Xbox 360 and Windows Phone 7 users. Earlier this month Microsoft lifted the lid on its biggest mobile gaming push to date with confirmation of Xbox Live support …

Sony has confirmed that PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive early access to the upcoming demo of Ubisoft’s PS3 strategy title RUSE. The European PlayStation Blog says that PSN+ members will receive the demo automatically on August 25th if the PS3’s Automatic Downloads feature has been activated. It will not be …

A cross-business marketing push helped Toy Story 3 become one of the biggest movies and games this summer, says Disney. The publisher is understandably delighted at scoring its first All Formats No.1 since 2007’s Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Toy Story 3 shot up the UK box office …

Cult developer Introversion has claimed that it would have closed its doors for good in March of this year were it not for the massive impact that Valve’s Steam digital distribution system has had on its business. The near collapse came after it became clear that Darwinia+, a version of …

CEO Patrick Oâ??Luanaigh on the changes coming to casual games design