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

Leading US games blog Joystiq is reporting that Microsoft’s upcoming Halo-themed RTS Halo Wars will be released next February – and it adds that those willing to stump up the cash for the Limited Edition bundle will get early access to Halo 3’s Mythic map pack. The Mythic map pack …

Konami has reported a 90 per cent increase in net income for the six months ended September 30th – due to strong sales of Metal Gear Solid 4 for PS3. Net income for the period stood at 12 billion yen ($124 million) compared to 6.3 billion yen for the same …

After lagging behind Microsoft’s rejuvenated Xbox 360 for a surprising six weeks in the Japanese hardware charts, Sony’s PS3 has finally reversed the tide by outpacing Microsoft’s machine for the week ending November 2nd. Media Create figures show that PS3 shifted a vastly improved 39,587 units last week, far ahead …

Or are we? The thing no one knows yet, of course, is whether reports of job cuts at EA and THQ’s studios are indicative of wider market challenges or just natural realignment for a couple of companies. Realignment happens, EA has done it many times very successfully. But when EA’s …

LA publisher Brash has become the latest games company to announce job cuts, with the news that it is to release 20 employees from their positions. The news comes hot on the heels of larger sackings at fellow publishers EA and THQ. GameDaily has published an official statement from the …

Atari has confirmed the capture of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, a week after securing the publishing rights to The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena. Hollywood actor Dan Aykroyd reported that Atari would publish Ghostbusters last month, and the game will arrive next year on PC, PS3, PS2, DS, Wii and …

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, …