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

Craig Duncan to head publisher's Newcastle studio

New online-focused studio features EA, Naughty Dog and Gas Powered veterans

The iPhone/iPod Touch App Store is officially open for business and the leading lights in mobile games are falling over themselves to put their wares in the shop window. In no particular order: Gameloft has released Diamond Twister, Platinum Solitaire, Platinum Sudoku, Bubble Bash (all $7.99), Brain Challenge and Chess …

In a rare interview, Sam Houser, co-founder and president of Rockstar Games, has documented his rise to become one of the most influential figures in the games industry, adding that Rockstar and the development community at large are only scratching the surface” of interactive entertainment’s potential. He told MCV: "What …

Future is tapping into a rapidly growing online gaming phenomenon with a free monthly magazine, What MMO. As the name suggests, the 16-page title focuses on MMO games and will be inserted into 150,000 copies of Future’s PC computing and games magazines – including PC Gamer, PC Format, PC Zone …

Following this morning’s MCV story , online retailer SimplyGames.com has stopped selling R4 cards. The indie told MCV that it justified selling the devices as larger rivals, such as Amazon, were also selling them, but has now called on other retailers to also stop stocking the items. SimplyGames.com only started …

As the ink dries on the Activision Blizzard deal , the firm has released details of its new management structure, complete with its eleven-strong gamg of Board members. The new structure is as follows:Robert Kotick: President and Chief Executive Officer of Activision BlizzardMike Griffith: President and Chief Executive Officer of …

Scheme offers free exhibitors pass available for selected new startup developers

Newly-anointed Activision Blizzard chairman Rene Penisson has stated that the publisher is perfectly positioned to lead the way across North America, Europe and the growing Asian market, having just finalised the deal. We are delighted that the merger has been completed,” said Penisson. We are very excited about the opportunity …

The ‘deal that shook the industry’ has finally been rubber stamped – and Activision Blizzard has thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the publishing community by stating that the merger has formed the world leader in online and console games.” President and CEO of the new powerhouse publisher …