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

Following the bombastic departure of acclaimed developer Tomonobu Itagaki from Tecmo’s Team Ninja, many had thought the studio to be destined for disbandment – but news has emerged that not only is it alive and kicking, but it has an impressive three titles in the works. Team member Jin Hasegawa …

Nintendo has finally confirmed a UK release date of November 7th for the tremendously popular Professor Layton and the Curious Village on Nintendo DS. The title combines over 100 logic puzzles with a charming story line and an appealing graphical style reminiscent of French animation. New puzzles are released over …

As much as Sony is pioneering the release of full-price titles via its own PSN network, it is also going to great length to preserve its presence at retail – as can be seen by the news that it is to release many of its downloadable PSP titles on boxed …

Having literally just announced that it has rejected the acquistion offer from Final Fantasy developer and publisher Square Enix , Japanese firm Tecmo had made the surprise announcement that it is planning to merge with Koei. Kotaku reports that talks are already underway following the creation of an ‘integrated management …

Executive-aimed conference selling out; only two days left for reduced rates

Sainsbury’s won out at last night’s MCV and Xbox 360 Industry Pub Quiz, beating The Sun in a nail-biting tie-breaker. The champs received the top prize of an Xbox 360, a 12-month subscription to Live and a copy of Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise, all courtesy of sponsors Microsoft. 17 …

Age of Conan developer Funcom has moved to quash speculation that the long-awaited Xbox 360 version of its MMO adventure Age of Conan is no longer on the cards. The firm’s Erling Ellingsen told Eurogamer: The Xbox 360 version is still very much set to happen and we are working …

Grasshopper 'hopefully a springboard'; aims to help Eastern developers create cross-cultural games

It’s lift-off for Activision Blizzard this week as the majority of Vivendi’s UK staff complete the switch to Activision’s Stockley Park facility. Activision Blizzard’s UK managing director Andrew Brown has told MCV that the new team will come together for the first time this week as Vivendi’s office in Marlow …

Despite its belief that the next few years will bring massive profit to those who’ve invested in Sony’s high-def disc format Blu-Ray, Korean electronics firm Samsung has stated that it thinks Blu-Ray will be dead by 2013. Speaking to Pocket-Lint, Samsung UK’s director of consumer electronics Andy Griffiths stated: I …