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

French publisher Ubisoft has announced that Louise Marchant is to join its UK PR team as specialist PR manager. Marchant, who will report to Ubisoft’s PR manager Stefano Petrullo, comes from EA UK where she was involved with high-profile franchises such as Need for Speed, Rock Band and Burnout. We’re …

Nintendo’s DSi became the fourth fastest-selling console in UK history over its opening weekend, according to GfK-ChartTrack data. The handheld’s performance even eclipsed the debut sales numbers of the original DS – only being outdone by the opening weekends of PSP, PS3 and Wii. In unit terms, it outsold all …

Best Buy has insisted that its push into the UK market is well on track, that it is ready to ‘revolutionise’ the country’s retail landscape, and that global economic pressures will mean rivals will be unable to ‘respond aggressively.’ The rollout of its big box retail stores, all of which …

MotorStorm alloy wheels, Killzone Zippo lighters, SingStar nail varnish and LittleBigPlanet breeze blocks – all and more could be on the way with SCEE confirming the appointment of Target Entertainment as its consumer product licensing agent for PlayStation software IP. Target will look to take many of Sony Europe’s biggest …

New data from market research body OzToys has claimed that the Australian video games market grew by an impressive 47.8 per cent year-on-year in 2008, hitting a total value of AUS $1.96bn. In 2006, by comparison, the total Australian video game market was worth AUS $928m. Unit sales grew by …

Creative director of newly-formed studio contributing monthly column

SingStar publisher Sony has revealed a brand new expansion to SingStore, the digital downloads portal for its popular karaoke title SingStar, that will see a number of free and paid-for additions added to the title. Eurogamer reports that SingStar Extras will compliment the existing music track and game background selections …

Vin Dieselâ??s next adventure wonâ??t be seen on the big screen. The action star is appearing as Milo Burick, an undercover cop out to infiltrate the gangs of Barcelona in Wheelman, Midwayâ??s collaboration with Dieselâ??s Tigon Studios â?? and itâ??s being fueled by Unreal Engine 3 technology.

In his first Develop column Billy Thomson, the creative director of the newly-formed developer Ruffian games, takes a look at the art of designing workable control schemes.

Rising UK games outfit Creative Distribution has secured the services of former EUK sales manager Kevin Young, as it announces a move to brand new premises ten times the size of its current base. Young joins the Croydon-based distributor as new business manager, and will be tasked with expanding Creative’s …