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

In a pleasingly balanced appraisal of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV expansion The Lost and the Damned, US parenting group Common Sense Media has highlighted the DLC as certainly not safe kids – but spared the time to point out what a great download it is. The DLC is clearly …

Global sales of Blu-ray discs will pass the 100m unit mark this year, according to data from research firm Futuresource Consulting. It states that the increasing number of HDTVs in consumer’s homes will offset the negative market effects of the economic recession. Last year in the US alone, Blu-ray video …

Two new faces join Dundee-based developer

An internal Microsoft document has revealed that 56 per cent of Microsoft’s global Xbox 360 userbase pays the annual $49.99/39.99 subscription charge to access the Gold version of the service. The remaining percentage use the Silver version of Xbox Live, which as well as omitting online multiplayer gaming also prevents …

Its success over here seems assured. One part of the pitch behind the device is how the new version emphasises personalisation. Along with all its other improvements, the DSi lets you customise and tailor the machine to your tastes. And David Yarnton assures me that downloadable software samplers can in …

Microsoft has confirmed the ongoing rumours that it is to launch a new red Xbox 360 console as part of a Limited Edition Resident Evil 5 console bundle alongside the release of Capcom’s game on March 13th. The pack includes a red console and wireless controller, as well as a …

Derby University to host XNA development initiative

In a surprise move, the former boss of EA’s casual division Kathy Vrabeck looks set to return to the industry as the figurehead of Legendary Pictures’ push into the games sector. CasualGaming.biz has the full story – click here to take a look.

ESA is changing the rules on booth sizes for 2009’s E3. After the failed attempt to control booth sizes for the small-scale summits in 2007 and 2008, ESA is now lifting all restrictions, even those which meant format holders had much bigger booths than publishers. One thing we’re doing is …

Not content with merely entering the ELSPA GfK-ChartTrack All Formats Top 40 in first spot , Capcom’s Street Fighter IV has also become the best selling All Formats Number One of the year to date. It’s sales success also makes it the best selling ‘traditional’ beat ‘em up since the …