MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
If you ever needed proof that the strategy genre is anything but niche, take one look at Civilization. It’s a deep, complicated turn-based strategy franchise that has sold in excess of 33m copies in its 25-year history. The most successful was Civilization V with 8m games sold to date. The …
Read More »Digital to physical: the rise of video games-themed board games
Bloodborne, XCOM, Minecraft, Civilization, Street Fighter, Doom, This War of Mine, The Witcher, Plague Inc… The list is quite endless: board games based on video games are unquestionably on the rise. And we’re not even talking about all the Monopoly editions. It seems that every single successful game out there …
Read More »Take-Two’s Strauss Zelnick on eSports, virtual reality and the state of E3
We talk to the boss of Take-Two about eSports, virtual reality, the state of E3 and the publisher’s acquisition strategy. How digital has transformed Take-Two’s business Digitally-delivered revenue, especially recurrent consumer spending – which we define as anything other than a full-game download, including virtual currency, add-on content and online …
Read More »Winning strategy: War gaming firm Slitherine on balancing niche appeal with mainstream success
Slitherine could very well be the biggest publisher you’ve never heard of. Formed 15 years ago, the Epsom-based firm has long been the flagbearer for war gaming titles in the UK – so much so that it doesn’t even fully consider the complex strategy titles in its catalogue video games, …
Read More »Civilization Beyond Earth to get first expansion pack this Autumn
PC sci-fi strategy title Civilization Beyond Earth is to set sail on alien seas later this year with a new add-on. Rising Tide adds a host of aquatic-based gameplay, including the ability to construct floating bases on top of water and drill down into new resources below the ocean floor. …
Read More »Take-Two posts $35.4m loss but beats Q1 expectations
GTA Online and NBA 2K15 continues to do the business for Take-Two, which beat its expectations in Q1 despite not releasing any major titles. The firm saw revenue (GAAP) of $125.4m for the quarter, a decline of 12 per cent compared to the same period in its last financial year. …
Read More »Brand Map: Civilization
We look at a snapshot of players just prior to the launch of Civilization World to see what they are enjoying about the game series. The original Civilization game by Microprose celebrated its 20th birthday this year.Currently owned by Take-Two (published under the Firaxis and 2K labels), its latest offering …
Read More »20 jobs lost at Firaxis
Publishing brand 2K has axed some 20 staff from Civilisation studio Firaxis, citing the need to cut costs. Firaxis has realigned its development resources in order to streamline its development process, reduce costs and maximize the overall performance the studio," read a 2K statement sent out to news group Kotaku. …
Read More »2K reveals E3 line-up
Mafia II, X-Com, Spec-Ops and a brand new Nickelodeon game headline 2K’s E3 line-up. The new Nick game is entitled Nickelodeon Fit, a fitness game for Children featuring cartoon stars Dora, Diego, Kai-lan and The Backyardigans. 2K can be found in South Hall at Booth 2823, and will also be …
Read More »2K announces Civilization V
Publisher 2K games has lifted the official lid on Firaxis Games’ Sid Meier’s Civilization V, a brand new entry in the popular PC strategy series. Civ V boasts a brand new game engine that brings with it a new combat system, deeper diplomatic relations and a redesigned hexagon tile mechanic …
Read More »