MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
There has been no breach to the security of our Xbox Live service.” That’s the simple message from Microsoft today in response to fresh claims last week about security problems with its online content network. And, as it did last year in response to a story in UK newspaper The …
Read More »Next Xbox to include tablet?
A report from consumer site Gamespot claims to have word that the new Xbox, which will be revealed at this year’s E3, will include some sort of portable tablet component. Given Microsoft’s recent efforts at unification across its Windows, Mobile, and Xbox product lines, it seems clear that the 720 …
Read More »UPDATE: Netflix finally arrives in the UK
US rental giant Netflix has at last arrived in the UK. It debuts in the form of a PS3 app which puts it squarely up against established UK rival LoveFilm, which is owned by Amazon. A Netflix subscription will cost 5.99 a month in the UK, with the first month …
Read More »Sony denies Hirai promotion reports
Kaz Hirai is not on the verge of replacing Sir Howard Stringer as Sony president, the company has claimed. It has been forced into making the statement after widespread reports over the weekend that Hirai, the current head of Sony consumer products, was to be promoted to president at the …
Read More »Steam posts 100%+ growth for 7th consecutive year
Steam has reported yet another year of over 100 per cent growth in 2011.It’s the seventh year in a row that the digital retail platform has recorded an annual doubling in sales. Throughout the year Steam’s catalogue of titles passed over 1,8000 titles and its user base grew to over …
Read More »3DS sets new Japanese sales record
Think the 3DS is a flop? Think Again. Nintendo’s handheld has just set a brand new monthly sales record in Japan. Andriasang reports that Nintendo sold a total of 1,492,931 units in December. That’s the best performance of any console since Enterbrain started tracking sales in 1997. The console has …
Read More »New questions asked about Xbox Live security
A month and a half on from Microsoft’s assurances that hackers are not accessing Xbox Live customer details, fresh evidence has appeared suggesting that a problem persists. In November 2010 UK newspaper The Sun ran a front page story focusing on the alleged hack, though Microsoft quickly moved to dismiss …
Read More »Asda begins console trade-ins
Supermarket chain Asda has gone live with a new Tech Trade-In offer that allows customers to hand over a range of their consumer tech – including games consoles – in exchange for cash directly into your account. Goods that Asda accept include Xbox 360s, PS3s, numerous versions of the DS …
Read More »Gem swoops for digital distributor Ztorm
MCV understands that Gem has agreed a deal to acquire digital distributor Ztorm. The move is a surprise following strong rumours that Sony was on the brink of sealing a deal to buy the firm last year. Ztorm specialises in the distribution of a variety of digital media including games, …
Read More »Epic voices SOPA unease, despite ESA backing
Gears of War and Infinity Blade developer Epic Games has publically stated that it does not support America’s Stop Online Piracy Act in its current form. This puts the studio directly at odds with the Entertainment Software Association – of which Epic is a member – which earlier this week …
Read More »