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

Kuno Tsunoda hired as Xbox general manager

The Government has endorsed proposals to use Nintendo’s Wii as part of its curriculum for PE lesson in schools. The Independent On Sunday reports that the console has succesfully been used in trials in five schools in Worcestershire to tempt pupils into ‘virtual PE’ – and could now be taken …

Combined data reveals that the Infinity Ward-developed title sold over seven million units worldwide in 2007, despite having only been released in November. The mega-selling shooter has attracted critical acclaim and is also the number one Xbox Live title at the moment, according to www.majornelson.com. We’re very excited about this …

Empire Interactive is to release a version of popular racer FlatOut on PSP on March 14th. FlatOut: Head On will feature eight cars per race and Empire has promised up to 4,000 destructible objects per track. The publisher claims the title will run at a ‘smooth’ 30fps. A company statement …

MCV can reveal that Gem will exclusively distribute Codemasters titles to UK retail with Gem Logistics handling primary distribution. Under the agreement, the first new Codemasters title that Gem will distribute is eagerly-awaited shooter Turning Point: Fall of Liberty. Further Gem-distributed highlights include HEI$T, Race Driver: GRID and Rise of …

SCEE president and CEO David Reeves has told MCV that both user registrations and online purchases through PlayStation Network are ahead of SCEE’s expectations. One thing that has surprised us is in the Network purchases and the general level of interest that has been shown around the Network business,” he …

Studio boss Jack Sorenson says acquisition of Big Huge Games will kickstart assault on the RPG genre

Worldwide studio boss at THQ Jack Sorenson has told MCV that the acquisition of Big Huge Games will kickstart a major assault on the role-playing game genre. The newly-acquired developer made its name with real time strategy series Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends – and is now set …

Games industry veteran joins mobile tech firm as chairman

Steel Penny Games formed by ex-Naughty Dog staffers