MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
A ‘violent’ UK TV ad for Rockstar’s Bully: Scholarship Edition has escaped a ban, despite 31 complaints from offended viewers. Complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority – which included grievances from those who had suffered from bullying – said the ad ‘glorified, trivialised and encouraged bullying and violence’. According to …
Read More »No EA-Take Two deal until August 21st
Next-gen has reported that EA cannot acquire Take Two until August 21st due to a Federal Trade Commission request for more information related to the proposed $2 billion deal. EA has agreed to comply with the FTC’s demands, having previously set a decision deadline for Take Two of July 18th. …
Read More »Activision shareholders approve Vivendi deal
Activision’s shareholders have agreed by majority to approve a ‘merger’ with Vivendi Games. The deal between the two video game giants will see the formation of new publishing superpower Activision Blizzard, and was first announced in December. 92 per cent of Activision’s shareholders approved to deal, which is expected to …
Read More »New games mag launches
Fidget, a brand new website and print magazine dedicated to video gaming ‘for real people’, has launched today . The first issue of the print magazine, which will be distributed free through shops, bars, clubs and games stores, is due later this year. The publication’s team pledges to produce: ‘accessible, …
Read More »US PC CHART: EA dominates rankings
Electronic Arts has taken the top three sots in the latest weekly US PC chart, according to data from the NPD Group. The firm’s Spore Creature Creator debuts at No.1, whilst The Sims 2: IKEA Home Stuff Expansion pack takes second spot. The firm’s The Sims 2 Double Deluxe nestles …
Read More »Ubisoft snaps up Sin City SFX firm
Ubisoft has heralded its acquisition of the VFX firm responsible for effect in movies such as Sin City and 300 as "a groundbreaking event for digital entertainment". At a press conference in Montreal today Ubisoft Montreal, the firm’s biggest internal studio, announced the purchase of local VFX outfit Hybride, which …
Read More »UK gets its own casual games industry event
The UK is to host a new, high-profile event dedicated to the business of casual games in October. The Casual Games Forum will debut during London Games Festival on Thursday, October 30th in the centre of the Capital. The event – organised by Tandem Events – will be a one-day …
Read More »Gamespress launches E3 mini-site
The kind folks at Gamespress have supplied journalists travelling to E3 next week with a dedicated assets site at E3press.com Media can register at the site to download press releases, screenshots, videos, trailers and product details on the year’s hottest PC/console titles as soon as the show begins. Video game …
Read More »JAPAN: PSP hits 2m this year
PSP has comfortably become the best-selling console in Japan for the first half of the year – shifting just shy of two million units in the region. According to data from MCV’s exclusive media partner Famistu/Enterbrain, Sony’s handheld was lagging behind DS Lite and Wii in January, but overtook both …
Read More »Hodge calls for grown up ratings debate
Margaret Hodge, the UK minister for culture, creative industries and tourism, has called on the BBFC and the games industry to sensibly address the issue over the future classification of video games in a ‘grown up way’. Senior industry executives and the Government are currently discussing how games should best …
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