Game industry business news

Microsoft has been forced to shelve any plans for an official Halo 3 midnight launch on Oxford Street due to fears from the local council. However, the platform holder has promised that over 1,000 UK retailers will open their doors at midnight to allow consumers to get their hands on …

A new ‘statement of issues’ on the Competition Commission’s website reveals four ‘theories of harm’ and six ways in which the recent acquisition could create a substantial lessening of competition. The four hypothetical ‘theories of harm’ are stated as: (a) An increase in the market power of the merged entity …

Former Sega vice president of marketing Scott Steinberg has joined SCEA in the newly created role of president of product marketing, reported Next Generation . Steinberg has also worked at Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Interactive, and entertainment companies Napster/Roxio and Liquid Audio. "We are thrilled to have Scott join our team …

There can be no debating the potential growth of the games industry but the experienced talent pool is shrinking. Graduates are the salvation to recruiting for the next generation of games and education is trying to help by providing ready-made development staff by putting together games degrees and games design …

Italian games trade magazine Gamestore, published by Edizioni Turbo, will now work with MCV to share content and increase both magazines’ international presence. Thanks to this collaboration with MCV, our publication is willing to give content and information concerning the UK market, which is leading trends and setting the pace …

Some major new titles invade the top ten this week as the charts continue to hot up. A resurgent Midway will be pleased with Stranglehold’s debut at number two, while Nintendo’s Super Paper Mario arrives in fourth to keep the number of Nintendo-punlished titles in the top ten at a …

Nintendo has asked South Korean prosecutors to investigate local websites that have uploaded illegal pirate copies of DS games. According to the Financial Times , the move marks the first time the Japanese video games maker has called upon prosecutors in Asia to help combat piracy. Nintendo’s Korean unit filed …

Outsourcing team in Chengdu, Sichuan will grow to 200 staff in next 12 months

OK, this one’s a bit special – thanks to the Microsoft team, one of you will win a limited edition Halo 3 Xbox 360 – plus a copy of the game. This is the must-have hardware of the year, combing the console of the moment with the game of the …

Following the tragic death of Scottish rally driver Colin McRae, his five-year-old son Johnny, six-year-old Ben Porcelli, and friend Graeme Duncan at the weekend, Codemasters (which has the Colin McRae video game licence) has officially paid tribute to the man, stating: He will never be forgotten…” Everyone at Codemasters, especially …