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

Nintendo has announced The Legend Of Zelda: Spirit Tracks will arrive in the US on December 7th. The date was revealed in a press release detailing the complete line-up for Wii and DS in the run-up to Christmas, with the anticipated sequel to 2007’s Zelda: Phantom Hourglass arriving in early …

Blockbuster said yesterday that it may be forced to close up to 960 outlets by the end of next year – a fifth of its overall store count. However, the firm confirmed that it still plans to have 10,000 Blockbuster Express kiosks open in the same time. It currently has …

With increasing development costs putting upwards pressure on new releases to maximise their sales potential, Activision Blizzard boss Bobby Kotick has explained that modern releases can now make ten time the revenue that they used to. In the last cycle of videogames you spent $50 on a game, played it …

Chinese web giant Shanda is to sell off a 22 per cent share in its online gaming unit next week, as part of an IPO estimated to be worth $725 million. Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd, the parent company of Shanda Games, has agreed to a Nasdaq-listed initial public offering set …

Nintendo has confirmed Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will be renamed when it arrives on Wii this November. In a press release detailing all of the titles due for releases on its platforms, the company listed Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare: Reflex under Activision Blizzard’s Wii line-up. A Wii …

Japanese 'Mario Club' team made into own company to 'improve staff treatment'

Black Rockâ??s Jason Avent discusses the evolution of the racing genre

Studios reach new audiences via downloads says Nintendo's Fischer; WiiWare charts unveiled

Microsoft has announced a limited edition Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 console complete with 250 GB hard drive. The machine will be made available exclusively through GAME and Gamestation, and boasts a warzone design, two wireless controllers, an Xbox 360 headset and a standard copy of Modern Warfare 2. The …

Siobhan Reddy on downloadable content and divisions of labour