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

Though the final official confirmation is not expected to arrive until tomorrow , it seems that the world has accepted that the long-fought hi-def format war is at and end – and US retailers are reacting quickly to the news. Reuters reports that many leading North American retailers, such as …

Toshiba has refused to officially confirm that its HD-DVD format is dead following reports over the weekend that it is to scrap the technology – though confirmation is still expected to arrive shortly. A statement from the firm read: "The media reported that Toshiba will discontinue its HD DVD business. …

Japanese software sales were down 21.1 per cent compared to last year, while hardware fell 0.9 per cent, according to Famistu publisher, market analyst and MCV media partner Enterbrain. The decline is blamed on the delay of Super Smash Bros. Brawl on Wii, which fell outside the data collection preiod …

Development veterans Bob Rafei and E. Daniel Arey, former employees of Naughty Dog, have launched Big Red Button. Big Red Button is set up to create original character-based IP for cross platform and cross media developments. Six of these projects are said to be in development. "Games are now the …

The Interactive Software Federation of Europe has fired out a worrying warning to Gordon Brown – labelling any move to drop its PEGI ratings in the wake of Dr. Tanya Byron’s inquiry a ‘mistake’ and a ‘backwards step’ for the UK. ISFE director general Patrice Chazerand told MCV that the …

Z-Axis now known as Underground Development

Digital game distribution service could be in the works

Creator of Karma Online and Special Force to use Epic engine in new game

New game Yamake lets players customise and share minigames

It’s official – the hi-def format war is over, with news of Toshiba’s decision to cease production of HD-DVD equipment, handing victory to Sony’s Blu-Ray technology. Reuters reports that the news was broken by Japanese broadcaster NHK, with the outlet predicting that Toshiba’s losses could amount to hundreds of millions …