MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
EA PopCap has dropped ZipZapPlay’s Facebook game Baking Life, despite the title having almost three quarters of a million players. The free-to-play game will close at the end of the month. Users who have bought in-game currency using real money will not be able to use this in other PopCap-owned …
Read More »Dance Central 2 spin-off app hits iOS
Microsoft has launched the Dance Central 2 Dance Cam app which lets users appear in customisable music videos. The free download for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 7 smartphones lets users record themselves or their friends dancing. Videos can be edited and shared, with smartphone owners able to challenge each …
Read More »Software Sales Monitor: Market shrinks by a third
It wasn’t a great week for UK games retail, with the market shrinking by a third. 14m was generated from game sales overall which is almost 7m less than last week’s 20.9m With no new big releases hitting shelves for the week ending January 14th, the number of units sold …
Read More »Doom makes Xbox Live comeback
Iconic ‘90s FPS Doom has returned to Xbox Live Arcade today after being absent for more than a year. Bethesda has re-uploaded the game to Xbox 360’s online service, and it can be downloaded for 400 Microsoft Points (around 3.50). Doom originally hit Xbox Live in 2006 via Activision, but …
Read More »BioWare looking into Old Republic patch 1.1 ‘issues’
The latest update in MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic has angered a number of players, and BioWare is investigating. Users have reported problems involving the top-level in-game area Illum, where players of one faction are able to constantly kill their outnumbered opponents using turrets. This is rewarding the bigger …
Read More »Rising Star readies five games for 3DS
Rising Star Games will unleash more than ten releases in the first half of 2012, including a new Harvest Moon. Five of these titles will be released on Nintendo 3DS, such as retro arcade game Bit.Trip Saga in Q1, fishing title Super Black Bass 3D and puzzler Cradle of Rome …
Read More »360 dash app usage rises 50%
The amount of consumers using entertainment apps on Xbox Live globally increased by 50 per cent from November to December. On average, over 60 per cent US Xbox Live Gold members accessed these apps for one hour each day. Entertainment apps include YouTube, Blinkbox, Netflix and MSN. Several went live …
Read More »Free 3DS demos added to eShop
Nintendo 3DS owners will be able to download free game demos from tomorrow, starting with Resident Evil Revelations. Users can access the demo using the 3DS’ online eShop service, more than one week before the survival horror game hits shelves on Friday, January 27th. Platform holder Nintendo announced that demos …
Read More »PDQ to distribute Lace games
Publisher Lace Mamba Global has announced PDQ has taken on its primary distribution duties in the UK and Ireland. PDQ becomes the exclusive primary distribution partner for all Lace games, including upcoming 2012 releases and re-orders for previous products. Advantage Distribution remains Lace’s secondary distribution partner, focusing on independent retailers. …
Read More »Katy Perry teams up with The Sims
EA has announced a collaboration with Katy Perry which will see the music star appear in future DLC and ad campaigns. The publisher says Perry will work closely with The Sims Studio to help create in-game accessories, clothing, hairstyles and furniture. She will also appear in TV ads, online promotions …
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