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

EA has confirmed that Harmonix’ instrument-based rhythm-action sequel Rock Band 2 will be released on Xbox 360 in the UK on November 21st – though it looks set to arrive in other European territories earlier. Though not specific, the publisher’s press release states that the game will begin shipping in …

App Store boosts demand for skilled workers

A survey from North American gaming stats firm NPD has unveiled a number of interesting insights into the habits of gamers – including the fact that 11 per cent of gamers have titles on the shelf that are yet to be played. Gamasutra reports that the survey, which was compiled …

Sony’s PlayStation division has posted a ten per cent year-on-year rise in revenues for its Q2 2008-2009. The division reduced quarterly losses in the three months to the end of September, selling 2.43 million PlayStation 3 consoles during the quarter – up 85 percent from the same period a year …

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