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

THE GOVERNMENT could be on the cusp of throwing out BBFC games ratings to make PEGI a legally-enforced standard, should it follow recommendations made by ELSPA this week. The Byron Review’s consultation period closed yesterday (Thursday, November 20th), with ELSPA handing over a detailed document to the Department of Culture, …

After revealing that Xbox 360 had topped the seven million sales mark in Europe, Microsoft has claimed that the console is outselling PS3 – both in the UK and across the continent. The firm told MCV this week that the combination of Xbox 360’s September price cut and blanket Q4 …

The Brewery in London will once again play host to the biggest night in the games industry calendar. Awards will be split across three categories, namely Retail, PR & Marketing and People & Industry. There will also be a Special Recognition Award voted exclusively by the MCV Retail Advisory Board, …

It’s been another eventful day for Woolworths, as the Financial Times labels the company trying to buy the retailer for 1 a ‘scavenger’ – and Woolies’ biggest shareholder spits feathers over the potential deal. Shares in the company plunged to an all-time low yesterday on news of Hilco’s takeover attempt. …

Cheesy Canadian rockers Nickelback have blamed games such as Guitar Hero for reducing the number of new bands emerging in America. The band’s frontman Chad Kroeger says young people are more interested in playing music simulation games than learning real instruments. He told MTV: "I feel like there’s not enough …

Two day summit to look at iPhone and Android

Character building app now available for free download

Codemasters has confirmed Colin McRae: DiRT 2 for release next year on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PSP. The sequel follows the tragic death of the rally legend in 2007, and the decision to continue to use Colin McRae’s name in the series was taken jointly by both …

Google has announced that it will be closing Google Lively at the end of the year, four and a half months after the service launched. The social networking space, set up in July this year, gave users the chance to interact while expressing themselves online in new ways”. Google confessed …

Ubisoft’s Jon Rosenblatt is to make a shock return to Electronic Arts, as senior European marketing director for the publisher’s Sports label. MCV understands that Rosenblatt, Ubisoft’s UK marketing director, will begin his new role in the New Year. He will report to Todd Sitrin, VP of marketing for EA …