MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Walk into any GAME or HMV store and you’ll find an abundance of officially licensed toys and other products positioned at the point of sale. And why not? Lewis Tyler looks at how games brands are branching out… Everyone knows we’ve reached a watershed in terms of mainstream acceptance of …
Read More »FEATURE: Toy Views
More than 384 million toys were sold during 2011, with the total market up three per cent year-on-year to 2.96 billion. The editor of MCV’s sister publication ToyNews, Samantha Loveday, gives us an overview of the business… IS THE toy industry really recession proof?” is a question I’ve been asked …
Read More »Latest GAME statement shows firm’s uncertain future
Mounting weekend speculation about GAME has forced the Group to issue a statement about its future. GAME says that "it has not been possible to source new products from a number of suppliers", despite ‘ongoing discussions’ with those firms. It also reconfirmed that it is reviewing its entire business and …
Read More »Riccitiello: "Other retailers will absorb the business" if GAME goes
He carefully avoided naming it, but EA’s CEO last week said it’s "all but a certainty" GAME has two terrible weeks ahead. But he thinks other retailers will pick up the slack. Speaking at a Wedbush Morgan technology investors event last week, John Riccitiello said the firm is "still praying …
Read More »Ten Norwegian games receive government funding
The Norwegian Film Institute recently announced the funding of ten new Norwegian games. A total amount of 750.000 euro has been distributed among ten different developers. Since 2005, the Norwegian Film Institute has been funding Norwegian games development. Developers can apply for start-up- and production-funding to realize their game projects. …
Read More »Triple-A trend "a cancerous growth"
The push for enormous scale and cutting edge graphics in triple-A games is a ‘cancerous growth’ for the industry, says Assassin’s Creed creative director. As reported byGamespot, Alex Hutchinson, speaking at his session ‘Designing Games to Sell’, said that if developers don’t push to entertain and take an artistic approach, …
Read More »Hansoft to offer start-up license
Hansoft has announced that a start-up license for up to nine users is now available at no cost, making it possible for small teams to get access to project management software. CEO Patric Palm said: We often see examples of upcoming, rapidly growing software developers hitting a stage where they …
Read More »Free Lunch design acquires Dark Nebula
The popular series of iOS games, Dark Nebula, has been acquired by Gothenburg-based outfit Free Lunch Design. With over six million downloads and counting, Dark Nebula creator Anders Hejdenberg believes the acquisition was a natural fit to preserve the legacy of the series. "With a huge fan base and great …
Read More »Rainbow 6’s lead devs axed by Ubisoft
Ubisoft has axed leading members of the Montreal development team behind its upcoming Rainbow 6 Patriots game, it has been revealed. As reported byGame Informer, the publisher has confirmed that creative director David Sears, narrative head Richard Rouse III, lead designer Philippe Therien and animation director Brent George have all …
Read More »Sony keen on free-to-play PSN growth
PlayStation’s digital publishing arm wants developers to pitch free-to-play games for PSN, an executive at the company has said. Ted Regulski, manager of SCEA Developer Relations, said Sony has changed its philosophy and is now open to any business model”. One thing we’re working on quite a lot is free-to-play,” …
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