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

Rockstar Games has made a significant acquisition ahead of the release of GTA IV on April 29th – Massachusetts-based Mad Doc Software. The deal comes amid EA’s hostile bid for Rockstar parent Take Two – a saga which isset to be concluded later this month. Massachusetts-based Mad Doc recently worked …

Studio that developed 360 Bully port boasts key AI tech and becomes Rockstar New England

SCi’s share price has jumped by over 20 per cent off the back of heavy speculation that it has reopened takeover talks with potential suitors. The rise of 10.5p per share – to 60.5p – has set the tongues of investment market experts wagging, with Ubisoft, Time Warner and Infogrames …

Speaking to Reuters, THQ’s Brian Farrell has outlined the publisher’s M&A strategy – to grow organically. "We are seeing some opportunities in the marketplace given the two transactions going on," Farrell said. "It’s going to create some opportunities because we are actively looking at every developer, every license out there …

HEARD ABOUT: Inside Sony's next-gen SingStar pipeline

The Byron Review’s proposal to increase the BBFC’s responsibilities has caused disappointment at PEGI HQ – but the classification body has stressed that its strength online will show the industry the way forward. EU affairs manager at PEGI parent ISFE Jrgen Bnsch told MCV that the BBFC system is ‘decades …

New office to be global headquarters for development activity

For two weeks from 4th April, all GTA IV pre-orders made with Zavvi will include free Xbox Live Gold membership for three months, plus a collectable GTA IV-themed limited edition pre-order card. MCV already revealed Zavvi’s pre-order card offer in January, but with the new addition of free three month …

Greenhouse to do 'what VCR and DVD did for indie films'

Manufacturing specialist The Producers is concerned that games may take longer to arrive at retail, but insists the manufacturing process will not be affected. It was feared that if the majority of new releases have to go through the BBFC, then games will take longer to receive certification and more …