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

UK retail’s leading games specialist is in rude health, having revealed its interim results for the first six months ended July 31st 2008. The main highlights were record first half profits of 36.4m before non-recurring costs and tax, total Group sales growth of 54.1 per cent and a like-for-like sales …

The top of the ChartTrack/ELSPA Top 40 remains the same this week, as Star Wars: The Force Unleashed holds onto the No. 1 spot for the second week in a row. Wii Fit is also a non-mover in second place, having enjoyed a 75 per cent rise in sales, with …

Whilst the world is still waiting for the Star Wars lightsaber game that we all dared to dream of when the Wii was first unveiled in 2005, Thrustmaster has moved to abate the appetite of would-be Jedi’s the world over with the unveiling of its new ‘Glow Saber’ accessory . …

AU$7,000 up for grabs for bot writers

Film production legend Lord David Puttnam of Queensgate has been signed up to give the keynote speech at this year’s Handheld Learning Conference . Lord Puttnam, who spent 30 years as an independent film producers, will call for the education sector to work closer with entertainment markets He will be …

Microsoft has confirmed that August was the most successful month it’s ever had for its Xbox Live Arcade service – and has also announced that a brand new instalment to the famous R-Type series is on the way. August saw a string of critically acclaimed titles arrive on Microsoft’s gaming …

Not content with having Hollywood and global gaming legend Steven Spielberg on its cards , publisher EA has now signed a deal to work with acclaimed director Zack Snyder. Variety reports that Snyder has signed a three game deal with EA. The publisher is understood to be retaining full ownership …

Japanese developer and publisher Konami has confirmed that it is to release a demo of the upcoming Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 on October 2nd (this Thursday) – the day before the European release of EA’s FIFA 09. The demo will offer a five-minute exhibition match with a choice of teams …

Trade association urges authorities to look at tax breaks, better R&D incentives and educational support

October is nearly here, and along with the official arrival of autumn and the hideousness of travelling home from work in the dark, it also means that Q4 has arrived – and with it comes an explosion in the activity in the games release schedules. At least that’s the plan. …