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

Ahead of the release of the New Xbox Experience next month, Microsoft has lifted the lid on a new Starter Pack designed to get owners of the base model Xbox 360 Arcade console online and fully Live-integrated. CVG reports that Arcade or Core owners are already able to get online, …

SCEE’s George Bain has announced sweeping changes to Sony Computer Entertainment’s approvals process, which have effectively made PS2 an open development platform – whilst at the same time easing the route to market for PSN games. For the full story, head over to Develop.

The vogue for local game development conferences has now reached Italy, with November 22nd set as the date for the first ever Italian Videogame Developers Conference (IVDC).

Bethesda’s Fallout 3 has become the latest game to smash its way onto Metacritic’s all-time best games list – with both Xbox 360 and PC versions earning a 93 per cent average score, and the PS3 iteration picking up a 91 per cent ranking. Leading US and UK games media …

London HQ'd developer plans to 'become the leading company in social games'

Studio to focus now on Just Cause 2 and The Hunter

Chinese outsourcing firm expands industry offering

Industry trade body ELSPA has unveiled a brand new traffic lights rating system to clear up consumer confusion at retail. Designed to give an ‘at a glance’ guide to the content of video games, the system will categorise games according to five levels of content. In similarities to ratings currently …

Sony is delighted at the success of its debut PS3 Platinum range, and the platform holder is already gearing up for its second batch of releases. The first games to receive the 19.99 Platinum treatment included first party titles Uncharted, Ratchet and Clank and Resistance Fall of Man, along with …

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has renewed its commitment to gaming, following impressive sales growth in the second quarter. The national grocer revealed an increase in sales of 8.4 per cent, with the non-food category playing a vital role in the impressive results. Gurdeep Hunjan, Sainsbury’s DVD and games buyer, told MCV: …