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

Endemol is getting into the video game business, focusing on casual, web-based games. The production company’s first titles will be based on game shows Deal or No Deal and 1 vs 100. Endemol has appointed Eric LaVanchy as Endemol’s director of gaming and will report to senior VP digital media …

Ubisoft may well increase its expansion plans after EA’s bid for Take Two – but is far keener on snapping up established IP than acquiring other publishers. That’s according to a CNN interpretation of a French newspaper interview with Yves Guillemot, who was speaking after EA’s $1.9 billion offer for …

Take Two executive chairman Strauss Zelnick has stated the the success of the industry will see further publisher consolodation this year. However, Zelnick, who this week turned down a $1.9 billion bid for the publisher from EA, added that it is still possible for Take Two to remain independent. I …

Along with news of a God of War PSP bundle and a North American launch date for the Dualshock 3 joypad, SCEA has also confirmed a Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle – which will include the backwardly compatible 80GB PS3 that Sony had previosuly said would be discontinued. The …

The Free-Radical-developed shooter has been heavily hyped as a key PS3 exclusive, and previously missed its original pre-Christmas release date. After a few extra months of tinkering, Free Radical and Ubisoft will be confident that it will wow critics and retailers alike.

To co-incide with the release of God of War: Chains of Olympus, SCEA has revealed a new PSP bundle. The limited edition God of War entertainment pack boasts a ‘Deep Red’ PSP with a picture of God of War star Kratos on the back, a copy of God of War: …

Chief executive of Electronic Arts John Riccitiello has said that the firm is targeting the Asian market as a key area for growth in 2008. In an interview with GameDaily, Riccitiello added that the firm was also looking to expand EA’s core business into online, casual and mobile sectors. Riccitiello …

SCEA has revealed that DualShock 3 will hit US retail in April. It will be available for $54.95 and incorporates both Sixaxis and rumble functionality. An SCEE spokesperson has also confirmed to MCV that a European SKU will follow shortly, but an official date has yet to be confirmed.

Electronic Arts’ creative teams are buzzing about the prospect of brining back Road Rash from the dead, the company’s CEO John Riccitiello has said. Speaking to GameDaily, Riccitiello said: We think about [resurrecting] franchises a lot. Road Rash is one that keeps coming up in brainstorming sessions. EA has created …

Two education events to take place this year, one in Manchester the other in Brighton