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

EA’s three-month stay at the top of the UK monthly charts is at an end as Ubisoft is declared the biggest publisher in April, according to GfK Chart-Track. It was a tough month for the UK games industry. In terms of value the market is down 22.2 per cent compared …

In another high-profile nod to the growing importance of digital retail in the video games industry, Warner Interactive has appointed Jeff Junge in the newly created role of senior VP of online games and digital games platforms for its digital distribution division. The former senior VP of business management is …

Long-term Microsoft loyalist and outgoing Entertainment and Devices Division president Robbie Bach has spoken out on his shock retirement from the Xbox 360 platform holder. At Microsoft, I’ve been so fortunate to spend more than two decades of my life working with incredible people and doing amazing things like launching …

As the MCM Expo returns to London, publishers and platform holders will be showcasing their titles directly to consumers. James Batchelor provides a run-down of what gaming fans can expect… While the Midlands event is also popular, it’s the London iteration of the MCM Expo that thousands look forward to. …

Though Insomniac sees its new publishing deal with EA as a vehicle for reaching a wider audience, the Ratchet & Clank developer has no intention of dropping its Sony heritage. Insomniac has been a close ally of Sony’s for 12 years and will continue to make exclusive games for the …

Following rumours of a significant restructuring to Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division, an internal memo from CEO Steve Ballmer has confirmed the retirement of EDD president Robbie Bach and, as rumoured, the departure of J Allard. Bach leaves after 22 years at the company, though Allard – himself a 15-year …

Distributor Gem has announced an exclusive partnership with French publisher Mindscape that will see its upcoming games distributed across the UK. The first game to be included in the deal will be Wii karaoke title U-Sing Girls Night which hits retail on June 18th. We are thrilled to be working …

Free-to-download MMO racer Need For Speed World won’t be released at retail, but retailers will be able to sell pre-paid game cards for the franchise’s latest title. Speaking to MCV at EA’s European showcase in London last week, Need For Speed’s producer Jesse Abney explained the difficulties of making an …

Insomniac Games has today announced a new deal with EA Partners and says that the agreement is all part of a new bid to reach a wider audience. The deal will see the studio responsible for Ratchet & Clank and Resistance: Fall of Man develop its first multiplatform project. Until …

Insomniac Games, the PlayStation studio best known for key Sony franchises Ratchet & Clank and Resistance is working on a new 360/PS3 title that will be released by EA Partners. Under the terms of the deal, Insomniac will own the IP for the game, which EA Partners will handle sales …