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

Gamers could face an unwelcome price hike at some stage this year as the price of procuring polycarbonate – a key material in the disc manufacturing process – continues to rise. DigiTimes reports that wholesale prices remained static throughout 2009 despite the increasing manufacturing costs, However, should the price of …

Event organisers applaud â??record yearâ?? as game design event comes to a close

Wii and DS owners will soon be treated to video game versions of popular US quiz shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune thanks to a new deal between THQ and Sony Pictures. The agreement grants THQ the rights to publish titles based on the two IP on both of Nintendo’s …

Apple has confirmed that the iPad, the latest addition to the tech giant’s fashionable product line, will begin shipping in the UK next month. Furthermore, the higher-spec 3G models that offer over-the-air downloads will begin shipping a month later in April. How much the machine will cost in the UK …

Growing games publisher Warner Bros Interactive has put a tentative May 2010 release date on the latest brand of the popular brick-building games series, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4. Focusing on the happening in J. K. Rowling’s first four Potter novels – The Philosopher’s Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The …

Nintendo has announced that the Classic Controller Pro will be bundled in two new SKUs to coincide with the release of Capcom’s Monster Hunter Tri. The peripheral is an alternative version of its traditional Wii joypad that boasts re-arranged shoulder button and Dualshock-style grips at the bottom. It was first …

It’s common knowledge that casual and social games markets continue to increase with importance – but that doesn’t mean the core games sector is under threat, one analyst has claimed. We reject the notion that competition from non-traditional video gaming formats such as the iPhone and social gaming have significantly …

UK disc repair specialist Scratchbusters has gone into liquidation, MCV can confirm. The firm’s main business was selling its repair machines to the trade, who could then restore traded in titles or even offer disc repair services to the public. The news comes just days after the company told MCV …

Arcania - A Gothic Tale to feature volumetric weather SDK

Apple’s freshly revealed iPad has been given a warm welcome from Sony, who believes that the supersized iPod Touch can act as a gateway into the wider world of gaming. Apple’s entrance into the portable gaming space has been a net positive for Sony,” SCEA’s hardware marketing director John Koller …