MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
In the same week as the UK High Street saw HMV slip into administration, fellow long-term chain Blockbuster has now followed its lead. But whereas HMV bosses remain convinced that they can turn the situation around and save the brand, Blockbuster’s days already seem numbered. In recent years Blockbuster has …
Read More »Blockbuster to appoint administrators
UK entertainment retail is facing another huge blow, with reports that Blockbuster is to enter administration. MCV sources have informed us that management had already been planning to shut in the region of 150 UK stores over the next six months. The retailer is understood to be sitting on significant …
Read More »AMD accuses former employees of sharing secrets with Nvidia
Four former employees of AMD have had a court complaint filed against them following accusations that they slipped secret documents to their new employer Nvidia. ArsTechnica reports that AMD is alleging a violation of a no-solicitation of employees” promise with its rival, claiming that RVP of strategy development Robert Feldstein, …
Read More »Angry granddad takes games from HMV store after his vouchers were refused
An enraged grandfather yesterday stormed out of a Dublin HMV store with three games in hand after staff refused to accept his voucher. The Irish Independent reports that Eric Nolan purchased a €40 HMV voucher for his grandson for Christmas and was attempting to spend it on three games. However, …
Read More »HMV.com taken offline
Administrators Deloitte have taken HMV’s website offline. In its place is a message explaining that: HMV.com has been suspended following the appointment of the Joint Administrators. No purchases can be made until further notice.” HMV management has previously insisted that existing orders are still being processed and will be honoured. …
Read More »Activision "flattered" by Disney Infinity
Not even Disney execs would deny the ‘inspiration’ the company took from Activision’s Skylanders when thrashing out its design for Disney Infinity. And indeed, who could blame them? MCV reported last week that Skylanders has grossed over $500m in the US in the last year. But Activision is playing it …
Read More »HMV demise could kill 4% of games market; High Street entertainment share would plummet
The cost to the UK video games market should HMV fail to find a buyer could be as little as four per cent. That’s thanks to HMV’s relatively small share of the UK games market. Nonetheless, its demise would theoretically leave the High Street with just a 16 per cent …
Read More »Deloitte warns of tough market as it is officially appointed HMV administrator
HMV boss Trevor Moore may have delivered an upbeat message to journalists yesterday, but administrator Deloitte has warned that it’s a tough market for entertainment retailers at the moment. The retailer is burdened by around 200m of debt and still seems to be appealing to the goodwill of suppliers in …
Read More »Hilco linked to HMV store acquisition
The owner of HMV Canada is reportedly interested in acquiring some of the troubled chain’s UK stores. The Financial Times reports, however, that Hilco has not yet been approached by administrators Deloitte. The paper adds that as well as asking suppliers for a 300m bailout prior to falling into administration, …
Read More »Bohemia devs freed from Greek jail
Ivan Buchta and Martin Pezlar have been freed on bail and are free to return home to the Czech Republic. The Bohemia Interactive developers were arrested in September after being accused of scouting a military base on the island of Lemnos to aid in the development of Arma III – …
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