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

45-strong California-based Underground Developments will close at the end of May; staff offered jobs at other Activision studios

NPD data shows that the US video games market was worth $1.7 billion in March – a jump of 57 per cent on February’s data. The jump was thanks largely to 721,000 sales of Wii hardware, as well as consumers snapping up 2.7 million units of Super Smash Bros Brawl. …

Sci Entertainment will cost a potential suitor $100m – and NBC Universal is close to securing a deal for just that sort of money. That’s according to a Financial Times report, which said NBC – which itself its part-owned by Vivendi – is ‘close to finalising’ the deal. The newspaper …

Shigeru Miyamoto has rubbished claims that Nintendo has ‘forgotten’ about the core gamer with releases such as Wii Fit. Speaking to 1Up, the legendary developer said that Nintendo’s recent release slate contains many examples where the platform holder has catered for the tastes of traditional gamers. He said: Smash Bros, …

Having charmed the industry with her thoroughly modern views on gaming, it was clear that Byron was keen to stress gaming’s positive associations. But cut to three weeks later, she’s drawing vague and potentially damaging comparisons between gaming and drug addiction. If you didn’t see Am I Normal? – a …

GRAND PRIX AWARD:NINTENDO David Yarnton, Nintendo: It’s truly overwhelming to be awarded the Grand Prix for a third time. It is without doubt our industry’s most prestigious award and we are very grateful to be recognised in such a great way. We must thank all our friends at retail and …

Bethesda has unveiled a collectors edition of the eagerly awaited Fallout 3 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Available from participating retailers, this collectible piece comes in a metal Vault-Tec lunch box and includes a collectible 5” Vault-Tec Vault Boy Bubblehead, ‘The Art of Fallout 3′ hardcover book, a …

US firm founds new online games publisher working under 'Social Network Games at Play' banner

Take Two has responded to EA’s latest attempt to snap up the GTA publisher – maintaining that the offer is inadequate” and that it is now considering entering into a business combination with a number of other interested parties.” The latest statement from chairman of the Board at Take Two …

Studio formerly known as Z-Axis until early this year to be shut once Quake Wars PS3 work is done, reports claim