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

Namco Bandai has announced Test Drive Unlimited 2 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. The sequel to the 2007 Atari title will hit shelves this autumn. Once again, the game is positioned as a MOOR – Massively Open Online Racer. Players will be able to drive some of the …

Infinity Ward out of the frame as new studio Sledgehammer takes control - new Call of Duty unit established

Following a day of intense speculation surrounding Activision and Infinity Ward, the publisher has confirmed the departure of bosses Jason West and Vince Zampella from the successful studio – and a new developer for the record-breaking franchise. 2011’s Call of Duty release will be developed by newly formed studio Sledgehammer …

Bizarre Creations confident they can get the most out of the knotty PlayStation set-up

Media giant and powerhouse IP stable Disney has insisted that it won’t release video games based on its popular movie licenses as a matter of routine – instead, it will only do so when the gaming release serves a proven sector of the market. For instance, the next big theatrical …

You’ve got a lot of brands tied with big movie releases. In terms of portfolio planning, that must be the central pillar of your strategy?If there is a big tent pole movie coming, we’ll take a long hard look at it. And if we decide that it has long-term appeal …

Sony Computer Entertainment has acquired LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule for an undisclosed sum. The multi-award-winning Guildford-based outfit was bought by Sony in a strategic move to continue to secure excellence in game development for current and future PlayStation platforms. The full story is on Develop.

Multi award-winning UK studio now fully owned by Sony Computer Entertainment

Capcom has announced Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition will be exclusive to the GAME Group chains. Under this partnership, consumers will only be able to pick up the premium edition of the survival horror title a GAME and Gamestation. The Gold Edition is due for release on March 12th. It …

Napoleon: Total War has followed in the footsteps of its 2009 predecessor by seizing the top spot in the ELPSA GfK Chart-Track PC charts. The game matched the success of Empire: Total War, which debuted at No.1 in the PC charts when it launched last March. Napoleon knocks last week’s …