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

Microsoft has inked a deal that will result in the first original TV content produced for the Xbox 360 gaming console, according to Media Week. The partnership is with Safran Digital Group, a web-based production and distribution company that has been launched by Hollywood talent agent Peter Safran. Safran will …

Sega Sammy has announced that it is to shut down its Korean office, as well as discontinuing the development of its entertainment complex in Japan’s second biggest city. Following a Board meeting, Sega Sammy Holdings announced: ”We determined [Sega Korea’s] dissolution for global business optimization.” According to Next-Gen.biz, Sega’s Korean …

Capcom is to acquire Japanese studio K2 , developer of the Tenchu series of stealth games. The acquisition will be completed via an exchange of stock, with 201,720 Capcom shares to be issued to K2’s stakeholders. For the full story, visit MCV’s sister site Develop.

Third round of capital sourcing headed by Maverick Capital

The UK’s Ministry of Culture, Media and Sport has formally started an investigation into the legality of Canada’s tax incentives for games studios. MCV sister site Develop has the full story – head over there for the full details.

'Government is listening,' says new CEO as he reveals plan to further lobbying and skills strategy in his first interview

At the end of January trade association Tiga announced it had appointed former Institute of Directors and Royal Academy of Engineering man Richard Wilson as its new head. A month into the job we have his first interview, a wide-ranging chat looking at every part of Tiga's remit, as CEOâ?¦

DCMS cries foul and asks European Commission to call in World Trade Organisation and check legality of Canadian tax breaks

'Closer ties with K2 will help increase the value of the entire Capcom Group,' says firm

Dr. Tanya Byron has rubbished media reports that her Government Review into digital entertainment recommends stricter legal penalties for UK retailers. Early national newspaper articles printed on the morning of the Review claimed that Byron had suggested ‘retailers who sell video games to anyone under the age rating on the …