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

Disney is planning a big-money move into the social games space, according to TechCrunch. The investment and technology site reckons that Disney plans to spend big on the firm, with VentureBeat claiming that up to $600m could be used for acquiring Playdom, one of the major Facebook and social games …

Microsoft has revealed that it sold 10.3m Xbox 360 consoles in the year ending June 30th – down from the 11.2m it sold in the same period the year before. Console unit sales were up in the quarter ending June, however. 1.5m were sold in the period compared to 1.2 …

Publisher will bet one of its biggest franchises on the tech

Microsoft has revealed a limited edition Halo Reach version of the Xbox 360 S that will be available exclusively through GAME and Gamestation. Costing 249.99, the SKU includes a special silver version of the 250GB console that carries a Halo insignia and front-of-machine branding. Also included in the box are …

The team developing Medal of Honor’s reboot has been likewise refreshed with a new studio brand. Although the team is not housed in a separate location, the EALA unit making the shooter’s October refresh will now be called ‘Danger Close’. Head to Develop for the full story

Report says media giant will follow up on Tapulous swoop to buy social games firm

We speak to Codemasters VP of studios Gavin Cheshire and SVP of production Jamie Macdonald

David Braben on the politics of release schedules

EALA FPS team to be called 'Danger Close' going forward, says report

Former EA product manager Kerri West has joined SCE UK. She takes up the role of product manager and will look after the firm’s line-up of social games, such as SingStar, Buzz and forthcoming titles for PlayStation Move. West had previously worked at EA for three years, most recently as …