Tag Archives: christopher-dring

It’s Call of Duty vs Skyfall in this week’s MCV

This week’s MCV isnow available to view online – and it features an analysis of the new Call of Duty and its bid to beat Halo and Skyfall to become the biggest entertainment launch of the year. We also reveal the new-look MCV Awards and speak to EA’s free-to-play boss …

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What does free-to-play mean for retail?

There’s no hiding the impact that digital games is having on retail. The sales decline seen this year may be driven by the aging console cycle and the economic downturn. But the fact that more games are coming out digitally and fewer are released physically is having an effect. Games …

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Gem cuts Xbox accessories prices for indie retail

The latest Xbox 360 deal from Gem has arrived, with the UK distributor giving away Xbox Live points and cutting prices on accessories. For independent retailers that order an Xbox 360 Wireless Pad with Halo: Combat Evolved, they will received 800 Microsoft points for free. Meanwhile, there is 25 per …

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Is free-to-play the future of gaming or just a cheap fad?

People don’t want to pay for games. That’s what MCV was told repeatedly at E3. And indeed many of this year’s high-growth or most controversial games – World of Tanks, League of Legends, CSR Racing amongst others – were absolutely free. Of course anyone that has followed this market as …

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Square Enix: £20 iPhone games do work

Publisher Square Enix has dismissed the notion that free-to-play is the only business model for mobile. The firm says it has had success with its premium-priced iOS titles, including episodic title Final Fantasy Dimensions, which costs in total 19.99. It’s actually done a lot more revenue than a lot of …

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Free games could make PlayStation No.1 again

Major developers believe Sony can be the No.1 platform holder once again, thanks to its ambitious move into the free-to-play market. The firm has just released a free version of SingStar, with customers having to pay for the music. Meanwhile, developer CCP is creating a free PS3 FPS called Dust …

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Reduced price for indies in first Xbox Gem deal

Gem’s bid to push Xbox 360 at indie retail kicks off this week, with a special offer on Kinect. Independent stores that order a Kinect (with Kinect Adventures) from Gem can choose five extra titles at a reduced price. The cheaper stock includes: Kinect Star Wars, Kinect Rush: A Disney …

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HMV opens Skylanders concession stores

Activision has opened special Skylanders concessions in three HMV stores. Special areas can be found in HMV’s Oxford Street, Manchester and Glasgow branches. Each area will feature a variety of Skylanders products (including licensed cards, puzzles, wallets, bags and badges), character art, artificial grass and dedicated games stations. ”We are …

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F2P market is worth £216m in UK

It may be the industry buzzword of the moment, but freemium games still have a long way to go before they take down retail. 216m will be generated in the UK by virtual goods sold in games such as FarmVille (pictured), League of Legends and World of Tanks, research firm …

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MCV digital edition goes free-to-play

This week’s MCV isnow available to view online – and it is absolutely free. The issue is dedicated to the free-to-play games market and features the biggest names in freemium, including Wargaming, Nexon, Ubisoft, CCP, Crytek, InComm, Qinqo, Disney, EA, Gameloft, GREE, GameForge, Jagex, Trion Worlds, Square Enix, MarvelousAQL, Perfect …

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