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

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 …

Valve has published sales figures for the past decade, revealing how much each of its titles have sold at retail. From the original Half-Life to recent release Left 4 Dead, the company claims to be nearing the 36 million mark. The statistics were published in the latest issue of US …

The Mastertronic Group has sold a stake in the business to Dutch entertainment firm Hermans – in a move that has given the company financial security and the opportunity to grow in 2009. The deal follows on from a joint venture between the two parties in 2005 which saw the …

US publisher Activision-Blizzard has revealed a number of its key titles for the upcoming year, including confirmation of exactly what form the next Call of Duty will assume. A presentation at a conference held by in-game ads firm Massive revealed that Infinity Ward’s next shooter will be a direct sequel …

A battle between East and West looks set to decide the future of Eidos. MCV understands that both Warner Bros and Square Enix are ready to mount rival acquisition bids this month for the ailing British publisher. Although national press reports have fingered EA and Ubisoft as potential buyers, nose-tappers …

Whilst the Apple Apps store has been a monumental success for the iPhone platform holder since its arrival earlier this year, games priced at $9.99 or above have struggled to make much impact on the service – something that former EA exec Neil Young believes is down to the quality …

Leading global electronics manufacturer Sony has confirmed that the lessening value of the Pound has forced it to raise the trade price of many of its products – though it has insisted that the price of its PS3 is staying put. The Pound has lost 40 per cent of its …

Free-to-play specialist to offer US publisher an inroad into the lucrative Asian online games sector