Ubisoft has confirmed reports that it’s to jump on the online pass bandwagon later this year, joining major publishers like Sony, THQ and EA in restricting online access to its games to those who buy new boxed copies or a one-time use registration code.
Set to be bundled with new copies of "core" Ubisoft games beginning with Driver: San Francisco later this year, the Uplay Passport will offer “access to online features and exclusive content”.
Despite being one of the largest videogame companies in the world, EA has been consistently loss-making in recent times, yet earlier this week it announced the acquisition of PopCap in a deal that could eventually cost $1.3 billion. It's an eye-watering sum, put in context by EA's annual revenues of over $3.5 billion, but rather than fund the deal from its own pocket, EA has carefully structured it to avoid upsetting investors.
This is the third and final part in our series of previews of Hitman: Absolution. You'll find our demo impressions here and discussion of its controversial new additions here.
This is the third and final part in our series of previews of Hitman: Absolution. You'll find our demo impressions here and discussion of its controversial new additions here.
This has been a good couple of days for brilliant free games that pretty much speak for themselves. Impasse, for example, is a minimalist puzzler from Wanderlands where the experience of playing provides its own silent tutorial as you move through a series of deviously constructed levels. If you know too much going into it, the joy of discovery is diminished, so all I’ll say is this: over at the developer’s blog, the team is already discussing the creation of a post-mortem.
THQ's planned closure of its UK studio, Digital Warrington, has now officially taken place with the loss of 36 jobs. A transition team of ten remain to oversee the PSN release of Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team.
"THQ have done all they can through the consultancy period and have treated staff with respect," studio founder Colin Bell told Develop. "I've definitely been proud to have been involved in setting up and running the studio and have no regrets.
Nearly hidden among thousands of missiles is the newfound refinement in Bangai-O HD, the eponymous giant robot’s third outing. While its DS predecessor Bangai-O Spirits blew the series’ doors wide open – offering customisable loadouts and more than 100 levels that could be skipped or solved – this XBLA version sees Treasure opting for a more tightly controlled, if equally ludicrous, experience.
Market research firm the NPD Group has released its report on the US retail videogame market for last month, and once again it makes for depressing reading: declines in every sector saw overall spending fall 10 per cent year on year to $995 million.
Canadian developer Silicon Knights has revealed a string of expansion plans alongside the announcement that it has received CDN$3 million in provincial funding from the Ontario government.
The grant, which comes on top of roughly CDN$35 million invested in the Too Human maker over the last five years, will help the studio grow its workforce from 97 to 177 employees, the St. Catherine's Standard reports.
Canadian developer Silicon Knights has revealed a string of expansion plans alongside the announcement that it has received CDN$3 million in provincial funding from the Ontario government.
The grant, which comes on top of roughly CDN$35 million invested in the Too Human maker over the last five years, will help the studio grow its workforce from 97 to 177 employees, the St. Catherine's Standard reports.
Ubisoft is reportedly planning to debut its own online pass system when it releases Driver: San Francisco this autumn.
According to a GamerZines, the 'Uplay Passport' will work similarly to online passes introduced by other publishers, restricting online multiplayer access to those who buy a new copy of Driver: San Francisco or purchase a one-time access code from Xbox Live Marketplace or the PlayStation Store.
If true, we’d expect the system to be rolled out across Ubisoft’s catalogue of multiplayer-enabled titles.
You can read about all of our visits to the world's key development scenes by visiting our Region Specific topic page.
Overview
From origins in the vibrant 1990s demoscene has emerged one of Europe’s most creative centres for game development.
You can read about all of our visits to the world's key development scenes by visiting our Region Specific topic page.
Overview
From origins in the vibrant 1990s demoscene has emerged one of Europe’s most creative centres for game development.