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

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

Sony has announced that American subscribers to its PlayStation Plus online service will now be eligible to purchase the PlayStation Protection Plan at a discounted rate. The two-year PS3 cover scheme will be priced at $44.99, a 25 per cent saving. The PlayStation Protection Plan was launched in North America …

Rovio is reported to be approaching Hollywood studios with a view to make it’s iPhone hit Angry Birds into a movie. According to entertainment publication Variety, the Finnish studio is also considering the possibility of TV shows, toys and comic books. According to the source, members of Rovio have been …

UK games trade body promises an array of aid measures to self publishing studios

Online and mobile games specialist Zattikka has appointed industry veteran Peter Jones as its new executive producer. Jones joins from Codemasters where he held the position of product development director. He has previously worked at Mirrorsoft, Sega, Acclaim and Virgin Interactive as well as Argonaut Games and Lionhead Studios, giving …