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

In a first on Xbox 360, the demo for Ruffian’s Crackdown 2 will offer players the chance to earn some Achievements. Ten will be available in total, each offering 10G. However, users will have to buy the full version of the game before the points are added to their Gamerscore. …

New research from US stats body The NPD Group claims that in 2009 US consumers spent a total of $4.5-4.75bn on pre-owned games, game rentals, subscriptions, digitally downloaded games, DLC and mobile apps. That’s around a third of the estimated $15bn US spend on video games last year. The numbers …

Burger King has announced a deal with Microsoft to support the launch of the upcoming Kinect controller, released in the US on November 4. No details have been confirmed as to what the involvement will lead to at this time. The announcement comes in the wake of the highly successful …

Def Jam Records has said it will sign the best talent found online using Konami’s upcoming hip hop karaoke title Def Jam Rapstar. The game – due for release on November 5th – features a freestyle mode that allows users to rap along to popular tracks from big name hip …

Stuart Richardson spoke with Dutch developers to find out about making games in the low countries...

Was Microsoft’s Kinect a disappointment? Convention-hall wisdom already seems to suggest so. Certainly, the over-earnest plastic smiles slapped over its claim of being family-friendly – a claim backed only by a parade of HD Wii clones, and an iffy Star Wars pitch – marred any optimism for the scope and …

EA will release a blockbuster title every month until the end of the year. The publisher revealed key shipping dates for Bulletstorm, Dead Space 2, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and EA Sports Active 2.0 at its E3 press conference, as well as a new online hub and its 3D plans. …

Some of the most unusual products ever to come from a third-party publisher were announced during Ubisoft’s E3 press conference. Its core titles were showcased alongside a highly experimental line-up of new peripherals, virtual platforms and products that integrate the console into real world experiences. Battle Tag, for example, is …

There was a certain whiff of familiarity to Microsoft’s Kinect E3 line-up. Games on show included the Just Dance-alike Dance Central, the Wii Sports-esque Kinect Sports, EyePet-style Kinectimals and a plethora of Wii Fit clones, including Ubisoft’s Your Shape, EA Sports Active 2.0, THQ’s The Biggest Loser, Black Bean’s Get …

Activision is not yet developing any titles for either the Microsoft Kinect or PlayStation Move. However, COO Thomas Tippl has told Gamespot that he is particularly impressed” by the 3DS, and that he thinks it’s going to be a big success and draw publisher interest to put more resources against …