MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
After a successful debut on DS and a remake/sequel on Wii, Atlus’ imaginative Trauma Centre franchise is heading back to Nintendo’s handheld, DSfanboy reports. The game, currently dubbed Under the Knife 2, will pick up where the first title left off, and will once again feature the likes of Dr. …
Read More »Codemasters unveils new casual signing
Codemasters is to expand its casual gaming portfolio with Bella Sara, an interactive world of fantasy horses for Nintendo DS and PC. The game is based around the award-winning trading cards and online websites, which has seen over 40 million cards sold between 5-12 year old girls since the series …
Read More »Jester Interactive returns with a flurry of new releases
Jester Interactive is set to return to the industry by bringing back a number of its key franchises. The first game on the comeback trail is TT Superbikes: Real Road Racing Championship for PlayStation 2, which is due for release in May. The game is designed to be the most …
Read More »Endemol targets Xbox and Wii with major TV licences
Big Brother and Deal Or No Deal creator Endemol has told MCV that it is eyeing the online services of next-gen consoles for casual games adaptations of its franchises. The US firm appointed Eric LaVanchy, founder of online ‘advergaming’ developer Bottle Rocket, as its new director of gaming last month. …
Read More »UK CHARTS: GT5 Prologue claims pole position
Whilst the release of the ‘full’ game is seemingly still some way off, Sony’s taste of things to come Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has shot straight to top spot in the ChartTrack All Formats Top 40. It follows the pattern set by previous GT ‘taster’ GT4 Prologue, which shot to …
Read More »PlayStation store gets revamp
Those who’d noticed the recent ad on PSN won’t be surprised to hear that Sony has officially confirmed that its PlayStation Store is to receive a visual and structural makeover later this month. Feeding on the weighty response from users of the service, the main changes will be to the …
Read More »The Sims 3 targets ‘real’ gamers
EA’s The Sims Studio is looking to lure traditional gamers to the next installment in the franchise, The Sims 3, with more ‘goal-orientated’ gameplay. Speaking exclusively to MCV, the division’s creative director Rod Humble also revealed that his MMO background would help the franchise move away from its simulation past. …
Read More »FRANCHISE FOCUS – The Sims
If EA’s all-conquering franchise The Sims was a musician, it would be someone like James Blunt or Natasha Bedingfield – impossibly successful, but constantly subjected to critical disdain. In the past, The Sims has been derided as a game for non-gamers. However, if you’re interested in games, then The Sims …
Read More »Paine: DS selling better than ever
Forget the festive season – Nintendo’s DS console is selling more right now than the platform holder would expect in the run-up to Christmas, according to marketing director Dawn Paine. A full three years after its UK launch, Nintendo has told MCV that DS sales continue to increase – and the …
Read More »Tesco games supplier goes on the prowl
Tesco’s exclusive distribution partner Handleman is going all out to secure similar deals with other leading games retailers – including specialists such as GAME. Handleman’s MD James Wilding told MCV that the firm is in discussions with other High Street chains to expand its ‘fee for service’ model across the …
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