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

We’re still waiting for Carl Freer’s delayed re-launch of cult handheld device Gizmondo, but fans of the portable can take cheer in news that the now legendary saga behind the machine is set to hit the big screen. Hollywood Reporter claims that Contrafilm has agreed a deal with writer-director Craig …

The PAL Sony PlayStation media planning and buying account for PAL territories has been won by agency OMD. Media Week estimates that the account is worth 67 million, and includes the retention of OMD’s 8.5 million UK media deal – which the firm has held since 2003. The deal is …

Nintendo’s infamous 134 million penalty for price-rigging throughout the 1990s has been reduced by some 27 million following an EU court ruling. In 2002 the European Commission fined Nintendo 134 million for breaching continental fair competition rules. The platform holder was found to be illicitly working with several distributors – …

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata claims that the Wii’s new video service – the Wii-no-Ma Channel – is being considered for overseas countries. Launched today in Japan, the advertising-based TV streaming service is a collaborative effort by both Nintendo and media group Dentsu, aimed to keep continuous expansion of [the] gaming …

Developer suing publisher for allegedly underpaying the $2.39 million awarded to it, Activision threatens countersue

The need for a storyline in any game can generally create heated debate among designers.

Lionsgate is set to join the ranks of movie companies working in the games industry, by producing casual titles based on the firm’s popular TV and film IP. The independent movie distributor is responsible for hit franchises including Crank, Rambo and Saw, and is looking to establish relationships with video …

Playable demos have become an established marketing vehicle in recent years, but Valve is taking it one step further tomorrow by allowing anyone to download and play its hugely popular Left 4 Dead for free. Kotaku reports that from midnight tonight anyone with a PC and a Steam account will …

Home Retail Group has seen its profits slashed by a quarter, as the recession hits its Argos and Homebase brands. Profits at the group fell to 328m for the year to February 28th. However, the group recorded a loss of 402m due to write downs of 694m and what it …

DSGi has confirmed to the Financial Times that a 311m rights issue is imminent, with the retailer saying the funds raised from it will go towards its store refit programme and alleviating cash flow problems being caused by credit insurers. It said that the move had been forced by its …