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

Warner Bros. has acquired indie MMO developer Turbine in what is reported to be a $160 million deal. Turbine – the Massachusetts-based studio responsible for Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online – is now fully owned by Warner following sixteen years of independence. Warner Bros.’ latest …

Microsoft is allegedly in discussions with Peter Chernin, the former president of News Corp, to launch an Xbox 360-dedicated TV channel. Controversially, however, Chernin wants Microsoft to raise the monthly price of a subscription to Xbox Live by between $1 and $2 to fund the venture. Bloomberg reports that the …

The flight disruption caused by Europe’s volcanic ash cloud has meant a last minute switch of host for the MCV Awards. Over 650 top retailers and execs from the UK games business will squeeze into The Brewery in London’s Barbican tomorrow night (Thursday April 22nd), but original presenter Dom Joly …

Chancellor Alistair Darling has personally endorsed the game industry as a creative force” that deserves, and needs, support in Westminster. The second most powerful man in UK politics told Develop that his recent visit to Dundee, where he toured Realtime Worlds and Abertay University, was immensely enjoyable”, and heaped praise …

The first paid-for DLC for EA’s Battlefield: Bad Company 2 has been revealed – and it’s called the Kit Upgrade DLC. Each class in the multiplayer game will receive new uniforms, camouflaged weapons, two multiplayer awards and one Achievement. They can be bought individually for 160 Microsoft Points or as …

The man at number 11 heaps praise on UKâ??s lucrative dev sector

The chairman of UK games retailer GAME Peter Lewis has, as part of the firm’s financial statement, explained the reasoning behind the departures of long-term CEO Lisa Morgan and COO Terry Scicluna. His full statement is as follows: The Board announced today that Lisa Morgan has stepped down from her …

Only 550 GAME and Gamestation outlets will remain on the UK High Street by Christmas 2013, according to GAME Group chairman. Until recently GAME had 695 stores across the country, but in February it announced the closure of 18 additional outlets, as well as all 25 of its Debenhams concessions. …

Irata Labs acquired as Murdochâ??s business warms to games

Brand new handheld title Yakuza: Project K is currently in development according to pictures and details from Sega in Japanese games magazine Famitsu, making it the first PSP title in the series. The game, first thought to be Yakuza 5 on PS3, was originally announced back in March at the …