MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
This latest MCV–which isnow available to view online– contains the world’s first interview with Blockbuster UK’s new boss, Gary Warren. We also talk to the games industry about the future of HMV and celebrate 25 years of Mastertronic. The issue also features our new-look Retail Essentials section and our revamped …
Read More »UK games industry to HMV: Stick with us
Leading UK publishers will meet HMV this week with one clear message: Don’t give up on games. The entertainment giant emerged from administration last week with 132 stores, plus nine Fopp outlets. 79 HMV shops closed in total – fewer than originally feared. But there’s still uncertainty around video games …
Read More »Koch plans 15 to 25 cinema releases every year
Forget games – Koch Media wants to make 30m a year from the cinema. The firm began distributing movies earlier this year, and has started well with Richard Gere flick Arbitrage generating 1.5m and Red Dawn returning 1m at the box office. But this is just the start, says Koch’s …
Read More »‘The barrage of points cards at retail is not ideal’
The sheer number of points cards at retail is confusing, warn publishers. Points and subscriptions have been a significant area of growth for retail over the last 12 months. But Activision’s VP of Call of Duty, David Tyler, admits that publishers and payment specialists are still testing out what works. …
Read More »Blockbuster: We are serious about games
Blockbuster is on a charm offensive with the UK games industry. The company wants to be taken seriously as a major video games retailer. Blockbuster UK fell into administration in January, shedding hundreds of stores. But the brand, plus 264 outlets, were rescued by Gordon Brothers Europe last month The …
Read More »2013 marks a ‘new era’ for Pokémon
The next 12 months will be amongst the biggest in Pokmon history, says The Pokmon Company. The firm is gearing up to launch multiple new games, a new TV series, events, a film and new toys throughout 2013, all climaxing in the launch of Pokmon X and Y on 3DS …
Read More »UK boxed game sales spike over Easter
UK games retailers enjoyed its busiest weekend yet last week, thanks to BioShock and Tomb Raider. The two blockbuster releases of the last month dominated the Chart-Track Top 40 last week, with BioShock Infinite becoming the fastest selling game in the series to date. 743,045 games were sold in the …
Read More »HMV: The full list of stores saved
HMV has revealed a list of the 141 stores that will be saved from closure. The remaining stores are listed below. The firm was acquired by Hilco UK this morning in a deal worth 50m. In total 81 HMV outlets have been closed from a store estate of 222. We …
Read More »CONFIRMED: 141 HMV stores saved, Ian Topping is new boss
HMV will emerge from administration, with 141 stores and 2,643 employees. The firm has officially been acquired by Hilco, and will be led by Ian Topping. Topping was the former CEO of Steinhoff Group. Paul McGown, Hilco CEO, will be the company’s new chairman. HMV had 222 stores before its …
Read More »Blockbuster vows to grow its games offer in this week’s MCV
This latest MCV–which isnow available to view online– contains a detailed story on the new Blockbuster UK and its plans for video games. We also speak to Ouya and its bid to be a major digital retailer, and Koch Media’s Craig McNicol tells MCV why he feels the firm is …
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