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

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. …

Disney Interactive Studios CEO Graham Hopper has said that consumers may be put off buying rhythm action games by the prospect of using an additional peripheral. Disney’s Ultimate Band, due out next year, doesn’t use a Guitar Hero-style accessory. For the full story, visit MCV sister site CasualGaming.biz

Deal with 300 and Watchmen director echoes creative pact with Spielberg from 2005

Retailers beware: a massive batch of stolen PS3 software is AWOL in the UK. According to The Sun, thieves made away with seven pallets of PS3 titles, including 16,000 copies of Ubisoft’s Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway – worth 600,000 in total. The haul was originally found by police in …

Nintendo will release a new model of its DS handheld later this year that can take pictures and play music. That’s according to a report in the Japanese business daily Nikkei (via Reuters), which says the system will also be equipped with advanced wireless communications functions. The price for the …