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

The director of technology at the soon to be closed Microsoft developer Ensemble Studios has admitted his surprise at the decision to shut the studio down. Ensemble is currently hard at work at the massively anticipated Halo Wars on Xbox 360, though its solid reputation was built on the back …

Studioâ??s director of technology Dave Pottinger admits to staffâ??s surprise at Microsoftâ??s decision

$35 million purchase now a done deal

The games side of Namco Bandai’s business reported a fall in profits, dropping 92.4 per cent over the firm’s second quarter. The fall saw profits slip to $3.4 million from $45.5 million. Games revenue also dipped to $319 million from $385 million. Dragon Ball Z Burst Limit, Super Robot Wars …

It has emerged that North American firm Netflix, which operates Microsoft’s movie rental and streaming service in the territory, has withdrawn all of its Sony Pictures titles from the service. Those using Netflix via their PC or TV, however, are still able to access the content – a fact that …

Magazine publisher Imagine is about to launch its new gaming ‘supersite’, NowGamer.com . The site is to use Imagine’s back catalogue of content, from magazines including GamesTM, X360, 360, PowerStation, Total PC Gaming, Play and Retro Gamer. And the firm believes the website will be a ‘true alternative’ to the …

The PSP has been a firm favourite in the homebrew and hacking community ever since it first arrived at retail – and now it appears that the recently released PSP 3000 model has also been cracked wide open. MaxConsole reports that a new device called the Datel Lite Blue Tool …

Accessories specialist Mad Catz has announced a $1.24 million loss for the second quarter of its fiscal year – compared to a $872,000 profit from the previous year. However, company revenues grew year-on-year by 52.8 per cent to $25.8 million – up on the $16.9 million posted in Q2 2007. …

The Woolworths Group has confirmed that it is in talks over a possible sale of its retail business. The firm has not identified potential bidders, but The Times reports that it is considering a sale to turnaround specialist Hilco for a nominal 1. Woolworths, which has been on the High …

The Guardian newspaper has asserted that the GAME Group is ‘caught up in the general consumer gloom’ – despite the retailer giving a positive presentation on its prospects in France. According to the paper, GAME shares have slipped 3.5p to 143.75p today – but analysts have been positive about the …