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

The head of EA’s Casual Entertainment Division, Kathy Vrabeck, has resigned from the company after 18 months in charge. In addition, EA CEO John Riccitiello has told employees that the firm’s Casual label will now be merged with its The Sims label, which is to be headed up by former …

Nintendo has confirmed to MCV that today’s reports claiming that SD-card based piracy hardware the R4 will not work with the upcoming DSi are correct. The platform holder was not able to confirm whether this is a deliberate feature of the newly redesigned handheld. However, judging by recent history it’s …

Reports are suggesting that the cuts previously hinted at in the forthcoming Midway title Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe may be for the North American market only. Speaking to Videogamer about the now infamous Joker fatality, which sees the Gotham City villain pretend to shoot foes with a pretend pistol …

Sega has announced that it is to release a 720p enabled 16bit collection entitled Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection on Xbox 360 and PS3 early next year. Whether or not this is the rumoured Sonic Collection hinted at in September is unclear. Sonic is included, however, in both his first, …

Whilst shopping numbers have to date remained buoyant amidst the current global credit crunch, October stats from the Retail Traffic Index make for sombre reading for retail, with a 3.1 per cent year-on-year drop in shopping trips reported. The numbers were also 1.3 per cent down on September. Dr Tim …

Digital specialists to globally distribute Kalypso software

High Street retailer GAME has secured the services of retail veteran John Devon, who has signed up as product director. Devon joins the firm from Amazon, where he worked as DVD trading director. He has also held roles at Virgin, Woolworths and WH Smiths. At GAME, Devon will be responsible …

Play games at work! You might hope that's the message behind the new book, 'Changing the Game: How Video Games are Transforming the Business World' - but there's rather more to its central thesis. We cornered David Edery and his co-author Ethan Mollick by the watercooler for some pointers...

New Orleans studio to use tech on upcoming MMO

Electronic Arts has named Geraldine Laybourne as the newest member of its Board of Directors. Laybourne is the founder of Oxygen Media – a television network launched in 2000 targeted at younger women – where she served as chairman and chief executive officer until 2007. She also served as president …