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

If you thought that  Virtual Console, XBLA or Sony's PlayStation Store were the only way to get casual games on a games machine, think again - new site WiiCade has opened to get browser-based games working on Nintendo's new home console.

Square Enix's European CEO John Yamamoto has praised European developers' multi-format skills and suggested that the company could follow Sega's lead in acquiring local teams.

Today sees the launch of 1 Game Agent, a London-based talent agency for the world's game developers - and Sensible Soccer creator Jon Hare (pictured) is the team's first signing.

With the Wii and PS3 launches looming in the US, Games Developer Conference organiser CMP has thrown the wraps off more GDC 07 sessions, underlining its commitment to next-gen issues.

The US' largest independent games development company just got larger – Foundation 9 Entertainment has acquired Amaze.

Isle of Wight-based team Stainless has been signed to work on a whole clutch of games for Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade platform - namely Atari's range of retro remakes.

The director of the new Alone in the Dark, David Nadal, has struck out against other story-driven titles saying that most are repetitive after just an hour and are failing their audiences.

Valve has added another development partner to its Steam digitial distribution network, with Swedish Simbin set to deliver its game Race over the service.

CCP, the Icelandic developer responsible for MMO Eve Online, is to merge with pen-and-paper RPG company White Wolf.

Climax Racing, signing Stainless, opening a Nintendo-only studio - these are just the first steps in Disney's recent development activity; Buena Vista Games plans to keep spending on games production over the next few years.