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

Tomorrow marks the launch of one of this year’s biggest releases, and retailers have already slashed the price of FIFA ‘09. Tesco has made the most significant cut, releasing the game at just 29.71 on PS3 and Xbox 360, whilst Asda is to sell the game for 32. These offers …

Nintendo has told MCV that it won’t be dropping the price of the DS or Wii for Christmas, despite the fact that competitor Microsoft has already heavily slashed the price of all three Xbox 360 SKUs in time for Christmas. Following the 360 price cuts, Nintendo’s Wii is no longer …

It has been confirmed that the UK’s first official National Videogame Archive is to be launched at a cost of 22bn, with the aim of preserving the history of the now global games industry. The scheme has been formed by academics at Nottingham Trent University, and will be housed at …

MCV understands that UK publishers are increasingly wary of pushing stock through EUK ahead of the Christmas rush – and are considering cutting out the distributor entirely. The mayhem began on September 17th, when the Woolworths Group PLC reported a 100m loss for the first half of the year. Two …

Take-Two’s Board of directors have decided that the publisher will continue to operate as an independent company following a strategic review of the business. In a note issued to the press moments ago, Take Two confirmed that it had entered into detailed discussions” with several interested parties – not least …

Former Atari UK managing director Jeremy Wigmore is on his way to Codemasters as the publisher’s new UK general manager. The trade veteran is to join Rod Cousens and Chris Deering as the Britsoft firm continues to grow its UK and international presence. The appointment is a real coup for …

The latest figures from Enterbrain, the parent company of legendary Japanese games magazine Famitsu, have shown that PSP was the biggest selling console in the six months ending September 28th. However, sales of both hardware and software for the period were down compared to the same period in the year …

Vancouver-based developer gets private financing for new IP

Microsoft Game Studios has confirmed a raft of new talent hired to flesh out its internal Halo game development team. A statement from MGS head Phil Spencer confirms that another MGS (but this time Metal Gear Solid) name has joined the studio – in the form of former MGS4 assistant …

Movie studio Twentieth Century Fox has hired a new VP of new-media licensing to work and manage its game development staff and partners. Former senior VP of business development at THQ Gary Rosenfeld will be responsible for overseeing Fox’s portfolio of video game projects based on its properties. To read …