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

EA Sports president Peter Moore says the publisher’s controversial Online Pass allows the firm to deliver more and better digital content. Online Pass has proved divisive as it forces players who have bought a second-hand game to spend an extra $10 to unlock the online mode. Consumers that buy games …

Codemasters is pooling its resources to ensure that the next instalment in its highly successful Dirt franchise will trump last year’s smash hit, Dirt 2. Due to be re-released on June 9th, Dirt 2 has sold more than 1.7 million units worldwide since its launch back in September. It is …

Over 80 companies from across Europe now hoping to pick up prizes at July 14th event

THQ has recruited Adam Roberts and Richard Stickler, who take up new roles in order to help grow the publisher’s business both in the UK and abroad. Roberts has been hired as sales director for UK and Ireland, which makes him responsible for driving sales activity in these territories and …

U.S market-watchers will have to wait a few weeks for new stats from NPD. The company says its May figures, which should have been appearing next week, will be delayed until well into July. The U.S market has shown some of its least impressive results ever in recent months, but …

The BBC’s much discussed Doctor Who game has gone live three days ahead of its planned release date. The first instalment, dubbed City of the Daleks, was originally planned to go live on June 15th but can be downloaded right now for the PC on the BBC’s website. The Mac …

Publisher EA has conceded that Battlefield: Bad Company 2 won’t outsell its direct rival Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 this time out – but its believes the foundations have been laid for future success. The company spoke quite openly about its aspirations for the title upon its release earlier …

Red Dead Redemption: The Man from Blackwater will air on June 5th at 11:25pm on FIVE USA. The film, which has been built entirely by using in-game assets and technology, airs after 3:10 to Yuma and is directed by John Hillcoat – the man behind The Proposition and The Road. …

Activision says Guitar Hero 6 will see the franchise return to its rock ‘n’ roll roots. The latest in the record-breaking music series is due to arrive before the end of the year on multiple formats, along with a new DJ Hero title. UK brand manager Jon Edney told MCV: …

Publisher Mamba is now known as Lace Mamba Global.The firm has rebranded following its merger with the distributor as it makes a bid to move from budget PC products to console games. Lace Mamba Global’s Jason Codd told MCV: Our objective is to offer premium games products in both download …