MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is reportedly considering major changes within company management. AllThingsD brings word that the tweaking of the top brass would focus on turning Microsoft into a devices and services” company. Ballmer previously outlined as much in an October shareholders call: "This is a significant shift, both in …
Read More »Zynga hit with massive layoffs, multiple studio closures
Over 520 staff members at Zynga are set to be laid off, as the firm will reportedly shut down multiple studios in a restructuring effort. The cuts were confirmed by a post on the social game company’s official blog. The affected employees represent around 18 per cent of its global …
Read More »Terraria heading to mobile devices this summer
Indie darling Terraria will land on mobile devices in the coming months, following successful runs on PCs and consoles. The mobile development will be handled by Dutch studio Codeglue under publisher 505 Games. Specific platforms were omitted from the original announcement, but a 505 rep confirmed to Polygon that the …
Read More »Canadian video game industry adds $2.3bn to national GDP
Finally some good news out of Canada, as the region’s Entertainment Software Association has revealed the country’s video game industry added around $2.3bn to the national GDP in 2012. Games Industry reports that ESAC announced the figure during a keynote address at the Ottawa International Game Conference last week – …
Read More »Steam top ten sellers chart: May 26 – June 1
A 90 per cent off discount has the Alan Wake franchise leaping back onto, and all the way to the top of, Steam’s top selling titles chart. Wargame: Airland Battle debuted strong with a runner-up finish for the period, as Metro: Last Light finally relinquished the spot – though it …
Read More »Nintendo Japan unveils more powerful Wii U GamePad battery
A bigger battery pack for the Wii U GamePad is in the works, though only in Japan at the moment. Eurogamer reports Nintendo Japan recently announced the upgraded battery pack, alongside a few other new hardware accessories for the Wii U. The new 2,550mAh model will provide double the power …
Read More »Take-Two plans to sync game launches on tablets with PC and consoles
Take-Two Interactive executive chairman Strauss Zelnick believes it won’t be long before the publisher is launching games on tablets simultaneously with their console and PC equivalents. Polygon reports Zelnick spoke on the matter during a talk at the Cowen and Company Technology, Media and Telecom Conference. "We continue to believe …
Read More »Report: Sony brings in Morgan Stanley, Citigroup to consider division split
Sony has reportedly employed financial services corporations Morgan Stanley and Citigroup to research a potential split of the firm’s entertainment division from its electronics sector. A report out of Bloomberg cites statements from people familiar with the matter,” following word that Sony was considering the same plan earlier this month. …
Read More »Trio of Level-5 developed mobile RPGs in the works for Japan
Professor Layton and Ni No Kuni developer Level-5 is currently developing three role-playing games for mobile platforms in Japan. Polygon passes on a Famitsu report stating the studio will release all three titles before the end of 2013. The announcement comes following Level-5’s registering of a series of trademarks applying …
Read More »Ubisoft E3 line-up includes Assassin’s Creed IV, Watch Dogs
Ubisoft has announced its games line-up for E3 2013. The publisher revealed its booth will provide attendees a chance to check out a handful of upcoming titles, including Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Watch Dogs, Rayman Legends, South Park: The Stick of Truth, and Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Ubisoft is also …
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