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

Ahead of the release of the PC version of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV on December 2nd, Valve has announced that those who pre-order the game via its online digital distribution network Steam will receive a downloadable copy of GTA: Vice City for free. Gamers will be able to access …

One of the most important titles in the history of casual gaming can stand up proud this week, with Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution dance mat series reaching the ripe old age of ten. In total, nearly 140 separate SKUs of the title have been released across all of the global …

Microsoft has told MCV that the Xbox 360 has now topped its predecessor’s installed base around the globe. The company previously noted that it expected to achieve the feat at the end of this month – but it has now confirmed to MCV that 360 has already overtaken the original …

The US Army has announced that it is to invest $50 million over the next five years on creating games designed to prepare soldiers for life in the battlefield. Stars and Stripes reports that the new program is set to begin in 2010 and quotes the product manager for air …

Is the industry’s hunch that Government is on its side jumping the gun? We’ll have to wait and see (and according to the DCMS we won’t have to wait long). But it’s not like ELSPA’s positive attitude is without merit. Unless it was just a spectacular coincidence that, when speaking …

Gearbox Software has laid off up to 25 of its staff as part of a strategy shift at the studio, according to reports on the web published over the weekend. Originally, sources reported that the redundancies came as production on Sega’s Aliens: Colonial Marines was halted, but studio head Randy …

California based research company Electronic Entertainment Design and Research has claimed that only four per cent of titles that make it to market go on to make a profit. Speaking to Forbes Geoffrey Zatkin, president of the 20-man sales data firm, divulged a number of interesting facts relating to a …

Nintendo has broken more records in Australia – as the DS reaches 1.5 million sales, with the Wii following on 750,000 units. According to GameSpot, the DS reached its milestone in 194 weeks, while the Wii took 102 weeks. Both devices broke the record for fastest-selling console to reach 1.5 …

Midway is in danger of being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange after failing to meet the standard share price for continued listing. The firm has admitted its failure over maintaining a minimum average closing price of $1 per share over 30 consecutive trading days. Company stock was 25 …

With Soul Calibur IV and Smash Bros. both topping the charts this year, Midway is confident Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe can make it a hat trick of comebacks for the beat ‘em up genre. The latest Mortal Kombat hits retail today (November 21st), and brand manager Mark Cook says …