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

But stories need work, says Wall-E production exec

APB-Evolved.com gets grant to cope with increased traffic

The full blooded release of universe-sim Spore might still be over two months away, but the popularity of EA’s taster package Spore Creature Creator suggests that interest in the title is sky-high. In its first week on the market, gamers have used the package to create a whopping one million …

Zavvi’s sales are rumbling on with yet another impressive in-store Xbox 360 bundle. As advertised in today’s national papers, gamers can pick up an Xbox 360 Elite and a copy of GTA IV for 305, and will receive Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock (with guitar) for free, a saving …

European VP of strategic marketing for interactive entertainment at Microsoft EMEA David Gosen has revealed that Xbox 360 has sold well over” five million in European territories to MCV – and that its battle with PS3 is far from over. Anyone trying to call a winner this Christmas is calling …

Publisher Take Two expects to have the majority of its Geneva-based staff back in Windsor by September. MCV can exclusively reveal that the experiment started by former international boss James Ellingford is now essentially over. The giant US publisher has had an admin base in Geneva for five years, but …

You might be sick of reading about it and maybe even playing it, but GTA IV still deserves more notice from the top, argues Owain Bennallackâ?¦

Mobile developer will refund costs to publishers if game fails to meet criteria

The annual Which? Awards, announced today, have seen Play.com win Best Online Retailer”, the first time the category has been included. The awards, which celebrate good practice and good products, surveyed more than 5,700 members with Play.com praised for unbeatable ordering process and delivery. While Play.com won the overall award …

Dominant Russian games company 1C has told MCV that it would be too expensive for any potential suitor – and that it is ready to cement its stranglehold on its native market by upping its retail presence. At the company’s second annual Prague ‘n’ Play event last week, 1C – …