MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Free-to-play and downloads are the fastest-growing business models of the past five years, but how many video games publishers actually rely on them rather than more traditional methods of releasing games? In January and February 2013, industry networking and events firm Game Connection led a publishers’ survey targeting key business …
Read More »Bethesda’s Hines makes the argument for day-one DLC
Day-one DLC is a vital component on a publisher’s balance sheet, but it’s also a practice regarded with wide-held disdain by many vocal consumers. It’s a reaction that the industry has noticed, Bethesda VP Pete Hines told OXM, but is also one that should also be kept in check. "I …
Read More »Explosive Alan launches new games show Thank You For Playing
The team behind the ill-fated Inside Xbox has launched the pilot episode of its new video games show, Thank You For Playing. The idea has been part financed by a successful crowd funding appeal on Indiegogo, where it was pitched as the kind of mature, high-quality gaming show that TV …
Read More »The Japanese video games market actually GREW in the last 12 months
The Japanese video games market grew by 1.2 per cent year-on-year for the 12 months ending March 31st. No, that is not a typo. It’s the first annual growth the Japanese industry has reported in five years. Tech In Asia reports that the region’s games market hit $4.6bn in the …
Read More »‘The barrage of points cards at retail is not ideal’
The sheer number of points cards at retail is confusing, warn publishers. Points and subscriptions have been a significant area of growth for retail over the last 12 months. But Activision’s VP of Call of Duty, David Tyler, admits that publishers and payment specialists are still testing out what works. …
Read More »Online video giant Machinima expands to UK
One of the most popular YouTube channels for games content is setting up a dedicated UK business. US firm Machinima has told MCV it plans to target British gamers as part of a European expansion that will deliver new and localised video content. It has already promoted former UK community …
Read More »Blockbuster: We are serious about games
Blockbuster is on a charm offensive with the UK games industry. The company wants to be taken seriously as a major video games retailer. Blockbuster UK fell into administration in January, shedding hundreds of stores. But the brand, plus 264 outlets, were rescued by Gordon Brothers Europe last month The …
Read More »Jet Li talks up eSports’ credentials
Chinese film star and martial artist Jet Li has argued that eSports are very much a ‘sport’ in the proper sense of the word. If poker card games and chess both have the players sitting down and are considered sports, why not virtual gaming as well?” Li said in a …
Read More »Video games have a ‘big role’ for new Blockbuster
Video games will play a major role in the future of Blockbuster UK, the retailer has told MCV. The rental firm was rescued by Gordon Brothers Europe last week. There are 264 remaining Blockbuster outlets with 2,000 employees. The firm aims to improve Blockbuster’s profitability with new products, technologies and …
Read More »PS4 announcement has roused investor interest, Pachter says
The long-awaited announcement of the first next-generation console has rejuvenated investor interest in core video games. That’s according to analyst Michael Pachter, who said in an investor note that the trend should grow stronger still once Microsoft finally unveils the successor to Xbox 360. "There appears to be some light …
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