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

The closure of EA’s Pandemic studio and the layoff of its 200 employees was the talk of the industry last week – but the publisher isn’t quite done with the label’s IP yet. This evening the firm has confirmed the production of Mercs Inc, a new game in the early …

X-Factor twins ‘Jedward’ have revealed that they tested video games for Microsoft before embarking on their new fame-filled career. The bequiffed Irish brothers – real names John and Edward Grimes – became controversial figures on the ITV talent show for their dodgy vocal skills, but won mass public support before …

Next year’s Games Convention Online event will take place from July 8-11, 2010. And event organisers Leipziger Messe have added another day to the event, with a growing number of companies using the show to discuss business strategies and strike partnerships. This is our response to the specific request of …

Michael French looks at how and why Disney is using video games – not films, comics or TV – to revamp the world’s most famous rodent and re-introduce the world to Mickey Mouse… There’s no shortage of iconic video games characters. Mario, Sonic, Lara, Master Chief; as an interactive medium, …

Zushi Games has revealed it will launch its first digitally downloadable title in 2010. The publisher will release a new instalment in its Premier Manager series on PlayStation Network for PS3 next year, marking the first time Zushi has shied away from traditional boxed product. As a company we are …

British Columbia at 'competitive-disadvantage' suggests Ubisoft Vancouver MD

Today's profile takes Develop to Yaletown to visit the Academy of Champions team

Mercenaries to live on post-restructure at EA LA, publisher confesses

It’s been a long time coming but at last we have an official UK release date for Just Cause 2 – the game will be hitting Xbox 360 and PS3 on March 26th next year. Published by Square Enix Europe and developed by Avalanche Studios, the game will be branded …

Discount shopping network MyVoucherCodes.co.uk reckons that data obtained from the browsing habits of its 9m monthly users suggest that Xbox 360 is on track to outsell Sony’s rival PS3 console by a ratio of 3-to-1 this Christmas in the UK. Microsoft’s console has gradually increased its slice of purchases made …