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

Microsoft’s results for its third quarter show that global sales of Xbox 360 have now surpassed the 19 million mark. The overall figure represents a 74 percent increase from the same point a year ago. Microsoft said that it shipped 1.3 million consoles during the quarter compared to 500,000 the …

Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division has posted a healthy $89 million profit for its third quarter, ended March 31st. Revenues for E&DD hit $1.58 billion for the quarter – a 68 per cent jump on the $935 million reported a year previously. Operating profit income stood at $89 million – …

News that indies have had their GTA IV allocation cut appears woefully premature as Gem issues more stock into the trade. MCV learnt last week that many indies had seen their expected shipment of GTA IV heavily reduced, especially for the PS3 version of the game. We’ve had about 45 …

Concerns that some retailers may sell copies of Grand Theft Auto IV early so far appear ill-founded as the industry gears up for its April 29th launch. Rockstar’s much-hyped car-jacking sequel has already shipped to retailers worldwide, but there’s currently no sign that copies have been sold ahead of time. …

Since the announcement of Top Trumps: Dr. Who, the gaming world has been hankering after a full next-gen release featuring everybody’s favourite time-travelling Scot. Yet alas it’s not to be, as BBC puts pay to rumours that someone, somewhere has the full Doctor Who licence. That leaves Eidos’ Top Trumps …

Format-holder signs up 13 developers, including the likes of Indiagames, for local content

Analyst Evan Wilson at Pacific Crest Securities says publishers would make more cash by treating developers as stars

Speaking to Reuters , analyst Michael Pachter has placed his chips on PS3 to ‘win’ the battle with Xbox 360 for GTA IV sales. The title, which is expected to take $400 million in its first week, will directly inspire two million sales of PS3 in 2008, versus half of …

Codemasters has confirmed to MCV sister site Develop that it is to take over Sega’s UK Racing Studio, as revealed earlier this week. In a statement, the firm described the move to step in and save the studio – the closure of which Develop reported just over two weeks ago …

Shares in SCi have dropped by 17 per cent this morning , after the Eidos parent announced it had raised 60m and sold more stock to Warner Bros – effectively ending any chance of a takeover. The firm also announced that it has agreed a new distribution agreement with Warner …