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

But that doesn’t make it any less real for staff at Vivendi UK and across its worldwide empire, who are now facing major upheaval. Our interview with Activision Blizzard CFO Thomas Tippl a couple of weeks ago confirmed that jobs will be cut – and while the phrase ‘exterminate’ was …

Don Mattrick’s assertion that his rivals had been on an extended vacation judging by their showing at E3 grabbed headlines globally, but there’s more where that came from. Xbox boss Mattrick and Live figurehead John Schappert delve further into what they thought of their rivals at E3 and the future …

It has become a tradition at E3 to be confronted with whooping during the platform holder press conferences – but perhaps the same level of excitement is a little unexpected in the follow-up interviews with the trade’s most powerful men. Nevertheless, the sight of Don Mattrick and John Shappert literally …

Following the news that Activision Blizzard is to reassess its IP catalogue and existing studio structure, it has been confirmed that Ludlam Entertainment has reacquired the gaming rights to its Bourne brand, GameDaily reports. The move follows Activision Blizzard’s release of its first Ludlam-branded title, The Bourne Conspiracy, in June …

Some 600 games development professionals packed into the Metropole Hotel in Brighton last night to see the best of UK games development talent honoured at the sixth annual Develop Industry Excellence Awards. Rockstar was the big winner, with the Rockstar North team taking home the Visual Arts and Audio Accomplishment …

ELSPA has spoken out today following the DCMS Select Committee report and the launch of the DCSF’s formal government consultation into age rating systems in the UK. Managing director of ELSPA Michael Rawlinson said of the DCMS Select Committee report: We agree entirely that there should be a single ratings …

With consumer anticipation for the game already sky high – and some hardline PES supporters even admitting that it could be a Pro Evo beater – EA has exclusively revealed to MCV that FIFA ‘09 is set for release on October 3rd. The latest in the ultra-successful FIFA series is …

Rockstar takes home four prizes; Frontier, Splash Damage and others all win big, too

ELSPA has this evening responded swiftly to media suggestions that the Government has already picked the BBFC as the ‘official’ age ratings body for games – pointing out that the Byron review consultation period has only just begun. A report in The Telegraph states that the Government is set to …

The Government has ignored the industry’s backing of the PEGI system and has plumped for an expansion of the BBFC’s role in age ratings. A report in The Telegraph states: In a consultation document that will spark a fierce backlash from the software industry, the Government will propose expanding the …