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

After a brief hiccup yesterday that saw the service pulled after launching a little prematurely, Sony has now officially released its free Life With PlayStation service for PS3 owners. The software, which can now be downloaded via the Folding@Home icon in the PS3’s network folder, allows users to access up …

Could you explain what your intentions are with the Namco Bandai deal? David Gardner: We’ve being saying all along that we want to make the business online and so what we’ve decided to do is separate the distribution company. The distribution side will handle Infogrames, Namco Bandai and other publishers’ …

Although there is a definite difference between the corporate cultures in the likes of Japan when compared with working life in North American or European studios, what might surprise you is that the struggles faced by studios in those usually contrasting areas are very much uniform.

Free-to-play title The Hunter to integrate social network community

The High Street battle currently raging between long-time gaming favourite Guitar Hero and plucky newcomer Rock Band is one of the more ferocious in today’s industry – and now Activision boss Bobby Kotick has detailed the many reasons why he believes his firm’s title has the upper hand. Speaking at …

Head of GC Asia event predicts boom for games industry in Asia thanks to online and casual games

As the countdown to Christmas continues, Nintendo has unveiled a series of new DS bundles designed to appeal to the whole family. Each pack is set to hit retail across Europe in time for the Christmas period, with the following five bundles set for the UK next month: – White …

EA has revealed that it is to invade the Russian market following a new wide-reaching distribution deal with 1C. 1C will now distribute EA’s titles in Russia and CIS countries, including territory exclusive value packs. Alongside the publisher’s standard product, 1C will supply three new economy jewel packed PC games …

SPECIAL REPORT: Harrison and Gardner on restaffing the resurgent publisher's creative teams

Of all of the Asian countries and their game markets, Japanâ??s is perhaps the most widely known thanks to its influence in growing and mass-marketing the console eras almost single-handedly.