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

Children’s Hospices UK has signed a new fundraising partnership with GAME Group. The agreement will see GAME and Gamestation stores raising money over the next two years for the UK’s network of 41 children’s hospices. All funds raised will go towards teenage activity weekends at hospices across the country. The …

Digital download portal Direct2Drive is celebrating its fifth birthday by offering a number of high-profile PC titles for just 5 in a limited-time five-week promotion. Each week throughout the period carries a specific theme, with categories to date including ‘strategy’, ‘action’, ‘MMO’ and ‘indie games’. The final week, which will …

Harmonix and EA will publish Rock Band 2 on Wii this October. The game is priced at 29.99 and joins Rock Band and The Beatles: Rock Band on the platform. Rock Band 2 was first released on Xbox 360 last year, with a PS3 and PS2 version arriving in March …

British-based GC maestros Digi-Guys break their silence on the WarDevil project

Following its success with the Dora and Diego property, A4T has extended its Nickelodeon licence to include new teenage girls brand iCarly. The range is set to debut at retail towards the end of October and will include an official DS Lite/DSi Console & Accessory Jewellery Case, a Console & …

Tech firm's latest prosumer engine now out of beta

UK chain John Lewis is looking to snare mainstream gamers with new DS accessories from leading fashion design firm Cath Kidston. Venom has created the products for the retailer, and the Cath Kidston DS Console Case has been selected by John Lewis as one of its ‘100 Top Gifts for …

Development legend Archer Maclean has told MCV publishers have become reluctant to invest in new and innovative ideas. Maclean’s new futuristic racing title for Wii, Wheelspin, will be released through Bethesda in November. Discussing his future projects, he told MCV: I’ve got one or two ideas I’m playing around with, …

Licensing agencies handling the Monty Python and Shoot brands are looking to extend these properties into the video game space, MCV can reveal. Monty Python celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and the agency PPC Enterprises is looking to create digital mini-games based on the IP. Meanwhile, the Consumer Products …

In what has become an annual ritual at UK retail, this Friday’s release of FIFA 10 looks likely to spark a fierce price war at the nation’s supermarkets. Though we’ve yet to receive final confirmation from any individual chain, reports are suggesting that Tesco will be selling the Xbox 360 …