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

UK software sales fell 30 per cent last week, as post-Christmas consumer spending slows down. Value for the week dropped to 60.1m, while unit sales fell 23 per cent. This week’s performance was driven by the New Year sales and the continued success of Modern Warfare 2, which continues to …

The Master Chief remains an Xbox 360 loyalist for now, but PS3 owners will for the first time next month get the chance to bring Bungie’s universe to their consoles with the DVD and Blu-ray release of anime Halo Legends. Three SKUs will be hitting the market – the standard …

Mark Turmell gets the call from downtown, fueling speculation that the Jam brand is set to return

Specialist chains Chips is optimistic that the busy Q1 release slate will boost the firm, despite the fact that financial pressures forced it to enter a Company Voluntary Arrangement last month. Chipsworld entered the CVA after running up significant debts with HMRC, although this only impacts the 11 company-owned stores. …

Electronic Arts has announced a trio of new partnerships with leading accessories firms to boost the EA Sports label. Under the new agreements, Sakar International, Sunflex Europe and Accessories 4 Technology will be able to create new peripherals and fitness products based on EA Sports brands, including EA Sports Active. …

Miguel Caron appointed as to lead new Montreal studio

Indie studio to use morpheme for upcoming project

The United Arab Emirates has banned Darksiders from being released in its territories. According to GamesLatest, THQ’s forthcoming action title has been banned because it contradicts with UAE’s customs and traditions. God Of War and Grand Theft Auto suffered a similar fate in the UAE during recent years. Darksiders, which …

Further to its CES reveal of Xbox Live Game Room, a virtual and social games hub, Microsoft has outlined its three-pronged payment strategy for the service. Once the client has been downloaded users will be able to buy full games for 400 Microsoft Points (3.40). These full-price versions will be …

Alex Kipman offers more info on latency and software processes