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

A number of online retailers have begun taking pre-orders on Sony’s new 80GB PS3, which will go on sale on August 27th. Whilst many are reporting this as new news, it actually just confirms the announcement made by SCEE president David Reeves at E3 last month. However, the listings do …

Runic Games to house all ex-staffers of developer's Seattle outfit

Warner Music has told Reuters that video game publishers should pay more royalties for tracks used in Rock Band, Singstar, Guitar Hero and other rhythm-based software. Chief executive of Warner Music Edgar Bronfman reportedly compared the current popularity of Guitar Hero to the launch of MTV and the Apple iPod. …

Electronic Arts has confirmed that it will release a sequel to its multi-platinum Godfather adaptation in February next year. Developed for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, the title will be set in an open world environment lie its predessecor, which was released in 1997. However, EA says that this time …

Publisher THQ has told MCV of its delight following the success of its Wii sports title Big Beach Sports. The game was released at the end of June and has remained in the UK Top Ten ever since. And THQ’s marketing director John Webb feels that the Wii had a …

B-rep, kinematics and external shader system support feature in latest version

And, as our front page this week demonstrates, it certainly ain’t doing things by halves. Indeed, our deputy editor Jonathon Harker came back from the supermarket’s Music, Video and Game Conference in Leeds with eyebrows still raised at Asda’s official announcements – and the further suggestions from general manager of …

Ubisoft has become the latest big name publisher to lend its support to this year’s Games Media Awards. The publisher will be sponsoring the Mainstream Magazine Games Writer category, one of ten titles up for grabs at the event. Head of communications Lidia Rumley commented: It’s great to be able …

Publisher LucasArts is busy preparing its biggest licensing programme for its upcoming video game epic, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. The title is due out on September 19th on PSP, Wii, DS, PS3, Xbox 360 and PS2, and Lucas is treating the game as if it’s a full theatrical release, …

Long-rumoured but still unconfirmed Pandemic game failed to capture current Batman buzz