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

Even excluding the hefty coin from console hardware (which has no equivalent in the film world), games sales alone are up 27 per cent from the same period in 2006, to $5 billion, according to the NPD Group. When it comes to sequel-itis, the film business is clearly in the …

Plans for 2008 follow-up well underway, plus a recap of our incisive session coverage

A Government investigation has been launched this morning that will focus on the potential risks from harmful material on the internet and in video games. It will focus on several key areas including cyber bulllying, user generated content that glorifies gang violence, social networking sites, pornography and content that incites …

A study released by US PR firm Hill & Knowlton has claimed that 60 per cent of consumers think that the US government should have direct control of the regulations concerning the sale of mature or violent games, Next-Gen reports. The report also claims that 51 per cent of those …

Tickets have gone on sale for next March’s massive Play.com Live consumer show at Wembley Stadium. Doors open at 10am and close at 6pm on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March 2008. Costing 16 each for the whole weekend, the firm’s website promises: ‘Play.com Live will showcase the hottest game …

Julian Brazier MP has presented a bill to create a new industry body, which will work alongside the BBFC in handling age ratings and hearing appeals. Publishers association ELSPA has reacted to the news by requesting a meeting with the MP to discuss the proposal. We note with interest the …

After the emergence of Activision Blizzard this week, industry rumour-mongering has gathered pace over which rival publishers could make the next move. Analyst and Gameshadow boss Nicholas Lovell believes that EA must act fast to move into the MMO space – and a move for NCsoft would be the best …

PlayStation platform holder Sony recently launched its brand new PSP Store , which closely follows the lead successfully laid down by its PS3 cousin, and whilst the service remains PC-only for the moment the company has confirmed it is looking to bring it directly onto its portable machine. Speaking to …

The American arm of Japanese games publisher Namco Bandai is to team up with Koch Media label Deep Silver to bring a trio of titles to Europe and other non-US territories – and it marks Koch’s first foray onto Microsoft’s format. Leading the way is Warhammer: Battle March on Xbox …

Sega has already twice professed ( here and here ) its belief that recent Wii release Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games can be a global smash hit for the publisher, and it certainly looks to be gaining momentum by dominating all in this week’s ChartTrack Wii Top Ten. …