ELSPA wants to take advantage of its strengthened relationship with the Government to get more important issues for the industry discussed in Parliament. After the body’s success in lobbying the Government to choose PEGI as the UK’s only age classification system, it has now turned its attention to tax breaks, …

Our relationship with Government has changed – along with our attitude, says the trade body’s director general Michael Rawlinson… PEGI’s ascent to becoming the sole ratings system for games was a momentous achievement for the industry – and just goes to show how we can really get the Government’s attention …

The online version of the games industry’s definitive guide to agencies and service companies, Sourcebook, has gone live. You can also browse the digital version of the printed productby clicking here. Sourcebook ’09 – sponsored by Universally Speaking – is an all-year reference tool, featuring over 70 companies across eight …

Publisher Oxygen is preparing a marketing blitz for its upcoming Hysteria Hospital, as the game continues to rise up the pre-order charts. The DS, Wii and PC title currently sits amongst the most anticipated games on Amazon, Play and GAME’s websites, and Oxygen is expecting anticipation to grow further with …

But in the stampede towards the mass market, the industry shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that video games have built their legacy and reputation on both inclusive experiences (ie the ones for my Wii-owning dad) and visceral, single-player entertainment (ie the ones for me). Yes, great family games – …

Regional director of Xbox in the UK Neil Thompson has told MCV that parents are still erroneously treating consoles and adult games as ‘toys’ – and called on the industry to educate families. ELSPA member Thompson said that the publishers’ body would corral the industry” into teaching parents the difference …

Media Molecule is working on a LittleBigPlanet Game of the Year edition for PlayStation 3, MCV understands. The new title is due for release this year and will feature much of the downloadable content currently available over the PlayStation Network. LittleBigPlanet was released in November last year to huge critical …

Play.com’s marketing boss Richard Chapple has left the retailer to join The Hut as commercial director. Chapple – an MCV Retail Advisory Board member – will work across TheHut.com and Zavvi to devise a communication strategy and drive the company’s marketing. Chapple will also expand the white label side of …

As a platform holder, does having PEGI as the UK’s single classification make you more confident that less games will reach an inappropriate audience? The beauty of having one standard that has cross industry support is that it will make it easier for publishers and retailers to help educate parents …

Home improvement giant B&Q wants to make its very own video game, MCV understands. A reliable source close to the firm told MCV that it is on the hunt for a studio to create an ‘instructional-style’ DS game or a ‘pure fun game based on DIY jobs for the Wii.’ …