MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Publisher 2K Games has announced a collectible SKU for Duke Nukem Forever that will be released alongside the standard version of the game in the UK. The headline inclusion is a collectible bust of the Duke himself. Also in the box is: • Numbered, limited-edition certificate of authenticity• 100-page hardcover …
Read More »Nokia pondered Android alliance
The shock alliance between Nokia and Microsoft nearly never happened, with the Finnish company admitting that it gave serious consideration to switching to Google Android mobile OS as opposed to Windows Phone 7. "We spent time with our colleagues at Google," CEO Stephen Elop confessed. "It’s an attractive ecosystem, but …
Read More »Spyro the Dragon returns
As hinted at earlier this week, Activision has announced a major crossover between the toy and video games sectors with a brand new title featuring the iconic Spyro the Dragon. Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure, which is due out the autumn, will target the 6-12 year old market with a game that …
Read More »Guitar Hero strategy ‘was wrong’
Activision’s decision to sell Guitar Hero as a product as opposed to a content platform was the ultimate cause of the IPs downfall, GamesBrief analyst Nicholas Lovell has told MCV. "I wasn’t surprised by the news," he stated. "Sales peaked at $1.7bn for music games in 2008, fell by 50% …
Read More »Activision eyeing Take-Two swoop?
An eventful week for Activision rolls on: rumours are circulating at the highest level that the company is eyeing a shock acquisition of rival Take-Two. If true, and if successful, the bid would bring blockbuster brands and hit studios under one roof – Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto, …
Read More »Nokia and MS strike strategic partnership
Finnish mobile phone giant Nokia and Windows platform holder Microsoft have announced the formation of a strategic partnership that will see the Windows Phone 7 operating system embedded in future Nokia smartphones. Rumours of the agreement first started circulating earlier this week. Nokia will use Microsoft’s Bing search service across …
Read More »Big names sponsor 2011 MCV Awards
Publishers, platform holders, retailers and more have signed up to endorse this year’s MCV Industry Excellence Awards. Sega has sponsored the Pre-Event Drinks for 2011, while Codemasters will support the Awards as Gold Partner. Ubisoft dance title Michael Jackson: The Experience will end the evening on a high note as …
Read More »Retail calls for sub-£300 NGP
Sony’s Next Generation Portable must be priced lower than 300 to compete with Nintendo’s 3DS, say UK retailers. Specialists have told MCV that they predict the NGP – previously known as the PSP2 – will cost around 300 when it goes on sale later this year. Any higher and retailers …
Read More »Harmonix ‘saddened’ by GH demise
The developer of rhythm action game Rock Band – and creator of the Guitar Hero series – has expressed its sadness about Activision’s decision to scrap the series. "We were sad to hear yesterday that Activision was discontinuing development on Guitar Hero. Our thoughts are with those who are losing …
Read More »Major publishers slash App Store prices
Capcom, Sega and Namco have each sunk the price of their iPhone games just days after EA and Gameloft announced similar sales ploys. The move will add further grief to indie iPhone developers who, hitherto, distinguished themselves favourably from the big publishers with low price points. But now the publishing …
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