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

Codemasters Online’s vice president David Solari has hit out at the number of developers rushing out casual games after signing a deal to bring a range of Mumbo Jumbo titles to retail. The deal kicks off with ten new games set for release on April 25th on the Funsta label …

The revamp comes in response to a survey last year which showed that PlayStation Store users wanted a better interface and easier navigation. The new PlayStation Store also promises much greater scope for categorisation and a dynamic new user interface. SCE has also lined up a host of new content, …

Ubisoft has plans to make its Tom Clancy franchise a true heavyweight in the wider entertainment world after the series reached a spectacular 52 million in lifetime unit sales. The newly-acquired IP, which cost Ubisoft €60m and allows the publisher to take full control of the property, will be expanded …

Sony Computer Entertainment UK MD Ray Maguire has predicted that 90 per cent of games sales will be taking place online in ten years’ time. Speaking at an ELSPA press conference with Dr Tanya Byron last week, Maguire read out his concerns with recommendations in the Byron Review – focusing …

There has been a halo effect for rivals as well as partners. Whether fuelling the boom at retail or helping third parties like Sega rack up an incredible million UK units of Mario and Sonic in just four months, Nintendo has aided the wider business. Nintendo leapt from ninth biggest …

Newsweek journalist N’Gai Croal has questioned the thinking behind the way black people are represented in the trailer for Capcom’s Resident Evil 5. In an interview with MTV, Croal attacked the teaser – which shows Caucasian hero Chris Redfield facing swathes of black zombies – for dovetailing with classic racist …

Inventive Wii puzzle game Boom Blox is scheduled to hit European shelves on May 9th. The project is being worked on between EA and Hollywood movie director Steven Spielberg, and allows gamers to build and destroy towers of blocks. The game boasts 400 levels, co-operative mode and level editor. The …

Maher joins from SCEE’s international software development team and will now be responsible for the editorial and production of the various European versions of Inside Xbox, the daily news magazine on Xbox Live. Maher was recently voted by his peers in our 30 under 30 feature, a prestigious list of …

Nintendo has unveiled Mario Super Sluggers, a new Wii sports title due for release later in the year. The firm revealed the game at its San Francisco media summit, and boasts controls similar to those seen in Wii Sports. The game is designed to bridge the gap between casual and …

A dozen different companies picked up awards at last night’s trade awards, but the event was still dominated by Nintendo. The Japanese giant’s impact on the booming UK games industry over the past 12 months pushed it to victory across four award categories. Nintendo won prizes for PR Team, Marketing …