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

US retailer Blockbuster has posted some disturbing numbers for its most recent financial quarter, with Q4 net losses at the company hitting $434.9m – up on the already savage $359.8m loss suffered in the same period a year before. Revenues fell by 18 per cent to $1.08bn. Company debts are …

The upcoming PC version of Just Cause 2 will not run on Windows XP when it’s released on March 26th. It is only DirectX10 compatible, meaning it will run on Windows Vista and Windows 7 but not Windows XP. Over 40 per cent of computer owners still reportedly run the …

The days of cramming all your key releases into the lucrative Q4 release window are over, according to SCEA boss Jack Tretton. The statement comes amidst a huge sales quarter for Sony, in which the platform holder will release three key PS3 releases worldwide – MAG, Heavy Rain and God …

Having missed its 2009 release date, Sega’s Aliens: Colonial Marines has been TBC on the publisher’s release schedule for some time now – but Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford has once again began hyping the upcoming licensed title. We have an Aliens game with Sega and 20th Century Fox which we’re …

Industry veteran to shed light on his latest work at UK event

Buyers of the Heavy Rain special edition released today will have to wait until March 4th until they can download the game’s soundtrack. Sony posted a comment on its PlayStation Blog today apologising for a last-minute technical delay. Heavy Rain’s European product manager Alex Pavey said: If you redeem your …

Microsoft will directly challenge Nintendo’s mass-market media efforts when it launches Natal later this year. MCV understands that format-holder Microsoft is already planning early promotional efforts for the camera device to include celebrity endorsements and coverage in non-games media. Microsoft this week invited an ‘elite selection of media’ and non-games …

When Natal arrives later this year it will have a key USP over rivals Wii and Sony’s motion device – a truly controller-less interface. But SCEA boss Jack Tretton has stated that his company’s experience with the EyeToy has taught it that the approach brings with it its own disadvantages. …

EA-Owned Playfish plans to seriously grow the audience for its social games – by forging partnerships with leading High Street brands. The otherwise online-only firm has tied-up with the likes of Sainsbury’s, HMV and even games-shy WHSmith to sell in-game currency cash cards. While the developer offers a range of …

The Entertainment Retailers Association has defended Tesco and Asda’s decision to take their first tentative steps into the pre-owned market. Given the size and success of the pre-owned market, it is only logical that existing games retailers are expanding into the pre-owned sector alongside their new games offering,” ERA director …