MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Activision Blizzard has excelled expectations by posting revenues of $981 million for its first quarter in 2009, along with profits rising to $189 million, all driven by a strong slate lucrative franchises such as Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft. Those figures had smashed analyst expectations, as …
Read More »EA snares Google Apps chief
The development boss of Google’s AdWords, AdSense and Google Apps services has joined EA’s board of directors. Jeff Huber, who will continue to serve as senior VP of engineering at Google, previously held management positions at eBay and Excite@Home. He said: EA has an exciting vision for innovating and delivering …
Read More »Industry confronts Govt over disappointing Digital Britain report
The industry’s most notable faces met with Labour Ministers last week – to discuss games’ exclusion from a major Government report into ‘Britain’s online future’. The Digital Britain report, headed up by Lord Stephen Carter, aims to ‘secure the UK’s digital future’, and maximise the country’s economic online potential. However, …
Read More »Are we immune?
Indeed, the latest GfK-ChartTrack figures this week suggest healthy hardware sales and a slightly up software sector. No wonder, then that we continue to chronicle the expanding nature of games retail. As HMV CEO Simon Fox says elsewhere in this issue, the retail landscape has changed more in the last …
Read More »Rebellion: Govt support halted by generation gap
The strength and virtues of the UK game development sector is not being recognised by politicians due to a ‘generation gap’. This was the explanation given by Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley as numerous game businesses and industry groups across the UK call on Brown’s government to provide better support for …
Read More »E3 Expo undaunted by Swine Flu risk
UK retailers and publishers are closely monitoring the spread of Swine Flu in Los Angeles ahead of E3 – as the region’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger calls a State of Emergency. However, the expo’s organiser, the ESA, told MCV this week that the show is progressing as planned”.So far State and …
Read More »Massive layoff reports are wildly inaccurate
Reports of job cuts taking place at Microsoft’s in-game ad firm Massive Inc are wildly inaccurate”, according to a company spokesperson. On Wednesday news emerged that Microsoft’s sustained cost-cutting measures had resulted in a 75 per cent workforce reduction at its in-game advertising firm Massive. Speaking to Develop, a company …
Read More »3D Realms future in doubt
The fate of 3D Realms is in serious doubt as the independent developer – best known for its work on the Duke Nukem series – is reportedly closing its doors and removing its staff. Multiple sources have suggested that the developer, founded over two decades ago, will fully close down …
Read More »Eurogamer Expo doubles up for 2009
The Eurogamer Expo will return in the form of individual London and Leeds events this year, which will also boast on-site HMV shops. The entertainment retailer has signed on both as sponsor and official retail partner for the consumer show, which debuted last year. Eurogamer’s Expo kicks off on October …
Read More »THQ annual losses sink to $431 million
THQ reported an annual net loss of $431 million, a considerable drop from its $35 million loss the year prior. THQ Chief Executive Brian Farrell opened the company’s earnings conference call on Wednesday by stating it had been a disappointing year for the California-based publisher. Sales sunk to reach $830 …
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