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

Pinnacle Entertainment has been placed into administration, it has been confirmed. MCV broke the news yesterday morning, when internal sources told us software distribution and publishing arm Pinnacle Software was in trouble. BDO has now confirmed that Matthew Tait and David Gilbert were appointed Joint Administrators of Pinnacle Entertainment Ltd …

Gamestation.co.uk has launched its 2008 Advent Calendar, which will see a new video game deal every day between now and December 24th. The offer follows Gamestation’s recent in-store promotions, which have included Fable II, Fallout 3 and Sonic Unleashed for half price. Each Advent Calendar deal will last for just …

A device that allows gamers to play downloadable DS titles has been released for Nintendo’s DSi. Entitled the Acekard 2i, the new accessory allows the storing of data on a MicroSD card, and is fully compatible with the DSi’s features. Nintendo revealed to MCV last month that the R4 was …

JJ Richards assumes new role, as Microsoft ad company signs 18-game deal

The lead designer on Starbreeze’s upcoming next-gen take on the Chronicles of Riddick franchise has spoken enthusiastically about the game’s move from Activision-Blizzard to Atari. For the full stroy, head over to Developmag.com.

Jerk Gustafsson says upcoming Assault on Dark Athena will be Starbreezeâ??s most â??polishedâ? title to date

GameStation’s festive price bonanza will continue tomorrow with further cuts to high-profile titles – this time it’s Fallout 3 and Sonic Unleashed receiving a discount. The High Street retailer is offering Sonic Unleashed, released a mere six days ago, for 20 this week, as well as reducing the price of …

Expansion continues in spite of economic downturn

Microsoft’s VP of strategy and business development for Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business Shane Kim has warned that the games industry will not be completely insulated from the effects of the global economic crisis. Of his own business, Kim told Reuters that he was cautiously optimistic” about Xbox sales, adding: A …

US games retail giant GameStop has tabled a bid for around half of Woolworths’ 815 stores, MCV understands. If accepted, that would immediately make the firm the UK’s biggest specialist chain – eclipsing GAME’s 397 stores. However, the Basingstoke-based retailer also owns 51 concessions – and, of course, 253 Gamestation …