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

Ottawa firm Fuel Industries has won the rights to work with leading fast food chain McDonalds to develop an online games portal to promote Happy Meals across Europe. McDonalds has recognised the increasing amount of time children spend playing casual games online, and saw the sector as the ideal way …

Not satisfied with having a luxury jet formerly used by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elton John laid on for her trip to Monaco’s World Music Awards, Destiny’s Child star Beyonce reportedly recently refused to travel to the ceremony unless she was supplied with a PSP and Xbox (360, …

Non-linear authoring tool to be utilised in upcoming next-gen free-to-play MMO

Japan is going to have to wait to get its hands on Sega’s latest addition to the Sonic franchise, Sonic Unleashed. Originally slated for release December 18th in Japan, the title’s PS3 and Xbox 360 versions have both been delayed until spring next year. The PS2 and Wii versions of …

Bethesda’s ongoing tussle with global censors has continued with news that the publisher’s upcoming Japanese release of Fallout 3 will see further edits made to the game. Kotaku reports that there have been cuts to the side quest entitled The Power of the Atom, which in its uncut iteration sees …

Midway has announced widened losses for the three months ending September 30th – down to $75.9 million from $33.5 million a year before. However, revenues were up to $51.4 million from $36.7 million in Q3 2007. The company predicted that its fourth quarter would produce kinder results, largely thanks to …

Microsoft has sliced even more dollars off the price of the Xbox 360 in Australia. All three 360 SKUs have been reduced, with the Xbox 360 Arcade cut from AUD $350 to AUD $300, the ‘Pro’ from AUD $499 to AUD $399, and finally the Xbox 360 Elite from AUD …

French publisher buys one of the studios ejected in the Activision Blizzard merger

Microsoft mega release Gears of War 2 has brushed off stiff competition from Sony and Nintendo this week to claim the No. 1 spot in the GfK-ChartTrack Top 40. Meanwhile, last week’s number one, Fallout 3, slips to third place as FIFA ’09 holds firm in second position. Sony’s much-hyped …

Earlier in the year and there was genuine optimism that the annual release traffic jam could be avoided. Gran Turismo, Devil May Cry, Mario Kart, Wii Fit, GTA, Smash Brothers, Metal Gear Solid and Spore were all released outside of the fourth quarter period, offering hope that gamers’ wallets may …