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

Organisers of Toy Fair ’08 believe the games-related products on show at the expo would offer specialist retailers a useful extra source of revenue. The event takes place from Wednesday, July 30th to Saturday, February 2nd. Games products on display include Swinxs BV’s Swinxs console, which contains four nifty wristbands …

Supermarket giant Tesco plans to build a chain of department stores in town centres across the country, designed to rival the likes of Debenhams, Marks and Spencer and BHS, according to a document obtained by Property Week. The shops will concentrate on non-food ranges such as clothing, homewares and toys. …

High Street entertainment giant Zavvi is looking to snatch more online market share than ever in 2008 – but has ruled out taking part in price wars to achieve its aim. Speaking exclusively to Mcvuk.com as part of our Opinion section, Zavvi MD Simon Douglas said: With everything going on …

Mochi and Gaia Online hold game dev competition

Douglas on… Rebranding "We basically took a brand that’s been on the High Street for 30 years – one of the strongest brands in the UK and the world – and changed it overnight. Of course we had our concerns that putting up Zavvi signs may have put people off. …

A problem with the bundled microphone accessory has delayed the launch of Sony’s Skype bundle for PSP in Japan. Kotaku reports that some of the components in the PSP accessory failed to meet Skype’s certification standards, and preferring not to launch without an official peripheral, Sony has placed its release …

'Faith and a .45' follows in the footsteps of Total Overdose and Chilli Con Carnage

Developer to present sessions on Gears of War and UT3

Having just passed the 9 million milestone in November, MMO giant Blizzard has now announced that its global phenomenon World of Warcraft has accrued over 10 million users worldwide. Of those users, 2 million are based in Europe, 2.5 million in North America and 5.5 million in Asia. Blizzard CEO …

Studio's EVE MMO to be sold via Valve's PC digital distribution platform