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

US video game software sales exceeded $24.5bn in 2016, says the ESA in its latest Video Games in the 21st Century: The 2017 Report, showing a growth of 48.5 per cent year on year. In 2015, the industry grew just 7.1 per cent year-on-year, reaching $16.5bn. It’s not just software …

Despite an impressive financial performance for the last quarter, publisher Activision Blizzard appears to be making job cuts at some of its studios. Kotaku reports that layoffs are occurring at Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare developer Infinity Ward, as well as Modern Warfare: Remastered makers Beenox. That’s on top of …

UPDATED: After only 24 hours, Humble’s Freedom Bundle has already raised $3m. At the time of writing, the bundle has now sold over 119,600 units, raising over $3.8m (3m), according to the website. The Freedom Bundle launched on Monday afternoon and there are still five days to go until the …

After being dropped by his network Maker Studios, PewDiePie has run into trouble with YouTube itself. That’s according to Variety, which reports that the video platform has cancelled the second series of the star’s – real name Felix Kjellberg – premium $10-a-month reality show, Scare PewDiePie. This was hosted and …

"We’ve decided to try to financially support some developers that are doing amazing things but might struggle with Steam Direct"

DingIt TV’s parent company has today announced that it’s launched Level Up Media to build its media and technology business. DingIt TV will remain Level Up Media’s flagship destination for consumers, but the new division will also be launching two brand new gaming sites later this year. These will cater …

Sniper Elite 4 developer Rebellion has announced plans to licence its 2000 AD IP to external developers. CEO Jason Kingsley broke the news over the weekend at the 40 Years of Thrill-power Festival in London, which marked four decades of the weekly anthology comic book. "This week we’re proud to …

Prestigious award previously only awarded at Gamescom is now also at GDC. Rejoice.

We already know that 2016 was not the best year ever for the UK games market. But there’s one category within gaming that still provides growth: merchandise.  GAME said in its 2016 financial report that although sales declined in the year, licensed merchandise was up 70 per cent year-on-year.  But …

Patent talks about device emitting beams and wireless connection to PS4