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

Konami has told MCV of the turbulence in the Australian games distribution sector and challenging economic times” following the recent news that distributor Red Ant has been placed into administration . The publisher, one of many to enjoy partnerships with Red Ant, has reaffirmed its ties with Atari’s distribution arm. …

CPU and PC hardware vendor Intel has announced that it is to restructure some of its manufacturing operations and capacity in an effort to consolidate and streamline the firm, leading to the potential loss of up to 6,000 employees worldwide. An Intel statement reads: The company plans to close two …

We round up the leading networking solution providers

£56k earmarked to help UK games firms show their wares

The UK’s communications minister is set to propose that the Government impose a universal levy on broadband bills to compensate entertainment companies for their losses from illegal downloads. Lord Carter is to unveil his new report setting out his vision for Digital Britain next week, according to The Telegraph. The …

UK stationer, newsagent and entertainment retailer WHSmith has said that like-for-like sales at its High Street stores fell seven per cent for the 20 weeks ending January 17th compared to the same period one year ago. Overall like-for-like sales, which include the businesses’ online arm, fell by five per cent. …

When it comes to networking middleware, efficient multiplayer is just expected, but community and commerce tools are highly prized, reckons Jon Jordan

Statistics from market research company Media Control Gfk International suggest that gaming has overtaken DVD and Blu-ray in terms of worldwide market value, Edge Online reports. The firm claims that games accounted for 53 per cent of 2008’s global packaged media commodities market, which in total valued $61bn. Global video …

3D event defies economic downturn to return bigger than ever

Online retail giant Amazon.co.uk has hired internet veteran Chris Poad as director of software and video games Poad was previously employed as head of e-commerce at the UK subsidiary of German company OTTO, where he was responsible for the online retail strategy for home shopping businesses such as Grattan and …