Why has there been a racing game resurgence? Find out in this week’s issue of MCV

After years of the same old racing IP, suddenly there has been a plethora of new franchises like Project CARS, DriveClub and The Crew – but why?

We speak to the racing experts to find out why there has been a recent spike in these IP.

That’s on top of an interview with EA’s Nick Channon, who takes us through the big changes to its FIFA series with this year’s entry, such as the inclusion of female players.

In addition, we bring you the biggest news out of E3. UK retail shares its thoughts on the now-busy release schedule while Microsoft’s corporate VP and CMO talks Xbox One backwards compatiablity. Meanwhile retail say that Fallout 4 needs to meet its 2015 release window and Ubisoft shares its VR ambition.

This week’s issue also features interviews Dutch firm Soedesco about its publishing ambitions, while we speak to Gamescom’s organisers about the Cologne-based trade show, and Bandai Namco explains to MCV exactly what its upcoming anime fighting game J-Stars Victory VS+ is.

You can read the digital edition of MCV here. The full contents of this week’s magazine are below:

• COVER: That’s more like it – E3 delivers the games, major blockbusters due every month from August until well into 2016
• NEWS: Microsoft targets Xbox 360 owners with backwards compatibility announcement
• NEWS: Fallout 4 ‘must not miss 2015 release date’
• NEWS: Ubisoft – We will be a VR industry leader
• INTERVIEW: EA on FIFA – ‘Female players are one of the most important additisions we have ever made to FIFA’
• FEATURE: The racing game reniassance – after years of the same old racing IP, suddenly there’s a plethora of new franchises, but why?
• INSIGHT: Rouse’s Arty Rajendra on getting the most out of streaming
• MCV AWARDS WINNER: PlayStation took away two marketing prizes from the MCV Awards. We catch up with Sony’s marketing gurus
• INTERVIEW: Meet Soedesco, the next big inde publisher
• INTERVIEW: 47 days until Gamescom – we speak to project manager Tim Endres to find what we can expect from the Cologne trade show
• INTERVIEW: What the devil is J-Stars Victory Vs+? Bandai Namco product manager Karla Pett brings MCV up to speed
• INDIE INTERVIEW: OwlBear has just released its first title, dungeon crawler Barbara-Ian, and is now ramping up its next project, cyberpunk hacking title Ice Breaker
• SHELF LIFE: Kevin Garraway of Maidenhead’s 24-7 Gaming on the bundling battle between PS4 and Xbox One
• MARGIN MAKERS: The best Batman products on the market
• INTERNATIONAL: In spite of its small size, Luxembourg plays a big part in the global games industry
• TERRITORY REPORT: The Middle East and North African games market is set to triple in size over the next seven years. MCV investigates