The number of physical stores selling video games jumped up in 2015. 6,609 stores sold games in the UK last year, a rise of 1,337 over 2014. The data comes via GfK and retail trade body ERA. Every store type increased last year, including electrical chains (up by three stores), …

Phil Spencer’s repetitive insistence that Xbox remains ‘committed to first party’ seems to be falling on deaf ears. Because, as some of the firm’s more vocal critics will tell you, what Microsoft says and what Microsoft does are often very different. It’s just announced the intention to close two internal …

E3 organisers ESA discuss the future of its event in this week’s MCV. That’s on top of an exclusive interview with Life Is Strange makers Dontnod, plus all the images and winners from this year’s MCV Awards. Elsewhere, we talk with gaming merchandise experts to find out how this market …

UK retailer GAME says it will now offer a 24-hour customer service hotline by transferring it to an external partner. GAME currently handles customer services internally at its Basingstoke HQ, but can only be reached between 8am – 8pm (or 10am – 5pm on Sunday). According to employees at GAME’s …

Australian retailer Target has said that it has not begun packaging R18+ rating games in plain boxes in its stores. A report earlier this week suggested that was the case after a range of titles were seen on display in plain cases at the chain’s Edwardstown outlet. However, MCV’s sister …

In a shock move, Amazon has launched its own engine. But can the newcomer really hold its own against the established might of heavyweights Unity and Unreal? Develop asks Mike Frazzini, vice president of Amazon Games

The Japanese arm of Amazon has begun allowing international customers to buy video games. So what, you may ask? The move offers a brand new avenue for games importers, who until now have relied on import specialists, most of whom are typically more expensive. This will give potentially even more …

The GDC Expo is a veritable labyrinth of service firms and tools providers – but don’t fret. Develop is on hand to help you find the best technology providers and potential partners

GAME is bringing back its consumer expo between August 26th and 29th. That’s just four weeks before rival event EGX, and it is also taking place in the same venue – Birmingham NEC. However, unlike the last GAME Fest (which was also the first one) in 2011, this year’s event …

Carmageddon: Max Damage’s physical release will be handled by Sold Out, it has been announced. The game will arrive at retail on June 3rd alongside its digital release. It will cost 29.99 on both PS4 and Xbox One. Carmageddon has an infamous 19 year legacy, it’s a one-of-a-kind franchise, and …