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

Britsoft publisher Codemasters has struck a deal with Koch Media that will see the firm handle the publisher’s console and PC titles across a number of European territories. The deal, which went into effect on March 10th, covers back catalogue and future releases in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Codemasters has …

Early bird rate deadline nears for the key industry event

Codemasters wants to recreate its Ashes success this summer when it releases a brand new cricket title. International Cricket 2010 is being developed for Xbox 360 and PS3, and is the latest title to come out of Codies’ 15-year association with the sport. The publisher previously released last year’s chart-topping …

In a bold challenge to both Sony and Microsoft, Sega’s European and North American boss Mike Hayes has said that both must deliver on their promised sales targets – or face the possibility of publishers walking away from the devices. The challenge for both first parties is to make sure …

The motion control movement has received a very high-profile backer this morning with confirmation that Sega is preparing several” titles across both devices. However, in news that may not please the publisher’s entire fan base, Sega’s European and North American boss Mike Hayes has said that the publisher sees the …

UK studio Rebellion has confirmed job cuts at its Oxford base, adding that its Derby studio has now closed. Back in January the company’s Derby studio entered a consultation process whereby staff were interviewed and formally warned they may face redundancy. The full story can be read on Develop.

Game Based Learning organiser says action must be taken to avert a skills crisis

Square Enix has announced that the demo for Just Cause 2 has been downloaded more than two million times. The demo was released on PC, XBLA and PSN earlier this month and gives players a 35 square mile taste of the upcoming open-world action game, due for release next Friday. …

Electronic Arts has revealed that Command & Conquer 4 owners will require an internet connection to play the game. The publisher has foregone the traditional protective measures of DRM in favour of a system similar to that of Ubisoft’s ‘always connected’ anti-piracy system. On the official C&C4 forums, moderator EA_Apoc …

Nick Gibson predicts a future where games dominate the entertainment media landscape