MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Another UK studio unhappy with the increasingly risk-averse nature of big publishers has turned to self-publishing. Indie firm Icon Games this week announced intentions to self-publish five digital titles for the likes of PSP, DS, iPhone and consoles before the end of they year. These include Arcade Darts (WiiWare/PSP), Stuntcars …
Read More »41 jobs lost at Sony Online Entertainment
Californian developer Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) has axed 41 of its employees, representing a workforce cut of 5 per cent. The SCEA subsidiary cited cost-efficiency as the key reason behind the job losses, though it was not prepared to discuss who had left the studio. SOE is responsible for popular …
Read More »Ex-Empire IP coming to UK market
Empire’s former sales boss Vip Patel is to launch the UK office of Zoo Games – the company which purchased the defunct Britsoft publisher’s IP in May for a bargain fee. Patel confirmed to MCV that the subsidiary, which will be based in Bushey, Hertfordshire, will be called Zoo Entertainment …
Read More »Free Realms welcomes one millionth member
SOE’s promising browser-based MMO Free Realms has already seen one million members register on the virtual world service – despite having only gone live 18 days ago. As a reward to all existing users of the game, SOE is dishing out in-game t-shirts. The one millionth member is also in …
Read More »PopCap launches PS3 and PSP offensive
Sony Online Entertainment has given PS3 a serious casual games boost with the new that it has penned a deal with leading publisher PopCap to bring five its best selling consoles to PlayStation network for PS3. All games will offer PlayStation Trophies and 1080p graphics and will also be playable …
Read More »Hardware bundle arriving alongside PSP Rock Band
Hot on the heels of EA’s confirmation that PSP title Rock Band Unplugged will be released in Europe and North American on June 9th, Sony has announced that a new hardware bundle will be released at the same time. The Limited Edition Rock Band PSP Entertainment Pack will include a …
Read More »Sony appoints new IP licensor for PlayStation IP
MotorStorm alloy wheels, Killzone Zippo lighters, SingStar nail varnish and LittleBigPlanet breeze blocks – all and more could be on the way with SCEE confirming the appointment of Target Entertainment as its consumer product licensing agent for PlayStation software IP. Target will look to take many of Sony Europe’s biggest …
Read More »Mums and dads spend nearly £2bn a year on entertainment
Parents spend on average 247 per child per year on digital entertainment, new research has found. The technology, media and telecoms division of Harris Interactive carried out an online survey with parents of children aged between six to 16 years old. The firm asked for details on what parents spend …
Read More »Activision sets sights on winning entertainment war
Modern Warfare 2 could beat out the ‘safe bet’ X Factor and Harry Potter brands at Christmas to be the year’s top entertainment property. At least that’s according to publisher Activision. The publisher is confident the sequel can trump the success of Modern Warfare and World at War to become …
Read More »Sony dates PS3 MMO duo for 2010
The long-awaited maturing of the MMO genre in the console space will seemingly have to wait a little longer to reach fruition with the news that upcoming SOE pair DC Universe Online and The Agency will not arrive on PS3 until 2010. It had been hoped that at least one …
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