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

Overall sales in the U.S. tipped just over $1 billion in October, down from $1.32 billion in 2008. Hardware sales were down 18% from $497 to $381 with software down 17% from $698 to $573. Accessories dipped by 2% to $119. In a posting released Thursday afternoon, NPD group analyst …

Speaking at the BMO Capital Markets Digital Entertainment Conference in New York on Thursday, chief financial officer Eric Brown said, "We will be hiring back positions in low-cost locations to maintain capacity." EA has sliced back on its release roster and its development staff – 16% of its overall headcount …

Microsoft this evening has confirmed to MCV that the Xbox 360 has sold over 10m units across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This makes it the only console format to have seen year-on-year sales growth across the territories this year the firm says. The news comes ahead of another …

Canada's industry offered a valuable advantage, argues Québec indie

Gem has signed a deal with Paramount to distribute two blockbuster movies via memory stick. In November, retailers will stock USB sticks containing the latest Star Trek movie, as part of a deal between picture company Paramount and distributor Gem. Michael Bay’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will also retail …

Microsoft has confirmed that Twitter and Facebook integration will be coming to Xbox Live on November 17th. The update was announced at E3 and brings popular social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Last FM to the Xbox 360 Dashboard. The release date was confirmed to Fast Company, who spoke …

So we all know that Modern Warfare 2’s arrival this week has propelled its brand and developer into the straosphere – but what do the successes mean for parent firm Activision? Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian offers a look at the future potential of the publisher… Our positive investment …

Paul Tresise opens new outfit Enjoy Gaming to target mass-market and next-gen formats

Former trade sales executive Rich Sturgess to head up new group

Free version of Unreal Engine launches to impressive figures