Workout title reclaims number one from Portal 2 after two weeks.
505 Games’ workout title Zumba Fitness is once again the UK all-formats number one, reclaiming top spot from Portal 2.
Valve’s sequel had occupied top slot for two weeks, but it drops back to second place, ahead of Mortal Kombat, which slips to third.
Attack on SOE means further security checks required; SCEE hopes to detail identity theft protection this week.
Sony has been forced to delay the planned return of its online service PlayStation Network, saying that the attack on Sony Online Entertainment’s servers meant further testing of its network security was required.
Electronic Arts has insisted that the suggestion it is in possession of the successor to the Xbox 360 is a “total fabrication”.
Last Friday, Develop was told that the publishing giant had taken delivery of new hardware from Microsoft, with a source claiming the firm was preparing to announce its new console at E3 next month ahead of a 2012 launch.
However, EA’s corporate spokesman Jeff Brown has since told Industry Gamers: “This story is a total fabrication – 100 per cent not true.”
National Endowment For The Arts accepting videogame submissions for the first time.
Videogames are for the first time eligible for US government funding, with the National Endowment For The Arts (NEA) programme accepting game submissions for the first time.
Sony's handling of recent attacks on PSN and SOE dominates this week's key stories from the game industry.
Tuesday
Primates show signs of self-agency during play, which could help in study of human evolution, say researchers.
Japanese researchers have found that chimpanzees playing videogames can recognise the characters they control onscreen, an aspect of self-awareness which could help in the study of evolution in humans.
Hacking groups claim to currently have access to Sony servers and plan to publish stolen information.
Hackers are planning a fresh round of attacks against Sony’s online infrastucture, according to reports.
CNET claims the motivation this time is Sony’s handling of the PSN data breach, with hackers discussing on IRC channels their intent not only to attack Sony’s website but publicise some, or all, of the personal information that they obtain.
3DS online features provided by Nintendo Japan prompt changes to policy; accept by May 31 or lose your account.
Nintendo is asking users to accept a new privacy policy for its Club Nintendo membership scheme, with the 3DS’s online features requiring that users consent for their personal data to be shared with Nintendo Japan.
Randy Smith mulls over what it means to be an indie developer today, and where the scene is heading.
Monster Hunter and Dead Rising 2 the stars as annual profit rises 257 per cent.
Capcom’s profits for the last fiscal year rose 257.6 per cent to ¥2.16 billion ($97.13 million), thanks largely to sales of console games.
The firm’s consumer online games division reported sales revenue of ¥70.2 billion ($880.7 million) for the 12 months to March 31, an increase of 60.8 per cent on the previous year.
Elite creator leading foundation which hopes its tiny, low-cost computer will drive youth interest in programming.
David Braben, creator of Elite and more recently Kinectimals, has revealed the Raspberry Pi, a tiny, $25 computer that he hopes will help children “understand the whole process of programming.”
Sony chairman sorry for "inconvenience and concern" caused by attack; revamped PSN in final stages of testing.
Sir Howard Stringer, chairman of Sony Corporation, has apologised for the “inconvenience and concern” caused by the attack on PSN, which has resulted in the personal information of more than 100 million users being stolen.
Twelve months of monitoring, a $1 million insurance policy and more for US PSN account holders.
Sony has revealed the identity protection support it had promised US PSN members whose personal information was compromised in the attack on PSN.
DS title back on top after four weeks as El Shaddai makes its debut in third place.
Square Enix’s DS title Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 2 returns to the top of the Japanese chart, after four weeks off top spot.
Treasure’s Saturn beat ‘em up to return to Xbox 360 download service this autumn.
Beloved Sega Saturn brawler Guardian Heroes is to be released for Xbox Live Arcade later this year, Sega has announced.
First released in 1996, Treasure’s side-scrolling beat ‘em up is to return this autumn with enhanced graphics, online co-op and versus modes, and brand new game types.
Over the past 18 months, the Consolarium team have been looking at how to get game design into schools, from the earliest possible stage, in order to develop our ‘creation not consumption’ approach to gaming and it’s links with Curriculum for Excellence.
We have worked with individual schools, teachers, pupils, school clusters and local authority working groups. We have delivered CPD to groups of primary and secondary teachers, as well Computing specialists and spoken at and/or ran workshops at various national events, as well as running the games design competition for SLF 2010. We have also developed a range of support tutorials hosted within our glow group.
However, it is fair to say that most of work has been focussed on developing game design skills from early primary to S2 with tools such as Scratch, BYOB, Kodu and 2DIY. These environments have allowed our learners, and indeed teachers, to really engage with the technical side of game design by removing the fear of the unknown. Indeed, many primary colleagues were concerned with how they would approach outcome TCH 2-09a and TCH 3-09a : ‘Using appropriate software, I can work collaboratively to design an interesting and entertaining game …’. The feedback we have been given from staff and the great work we have observed in our visits to various schools shows us that we are beginning to see game design utilised in Scottish class rooms with confidence and enthusiasm.
While this is still a hugely important part of the work that we do, it’s time to look at what’s next. At the moment, our glow group has resources for learning XNA and a few Blender 3d tutorials more suited to the senior school that some people have been using, however, in June and July, we’d like to extend our resources for post S2 game design. How do we develop their skills, without repetition?
Again, many free tools are available, such as Unity, and the Corona SDK. These are game design tools that offer more challenge in terms of programming and are cross platform. At this point, we’d like to hear your thoughts on resources you would like to see developed. In particular, is there a particular development environment you would like to use more than the others?
Please let us know what you think we should look at in terms of developing and delivering support for game design for post S2 pupils.
Final instalment of sci-fi epic slips to first three months of 2012 "to address a larger market opportunity."
Mass Effect 3 has been delayed, and will now be released in the first quarter of next year, developer BioWare has announced.
Annual loss down to $276 million thanks to growth in digital business and strong fourth-quarter sales.
Electronic Arts has published financial results for the fiscal year, which show that the publisher has shrunk its losses by 59 per cent over the last twelve months.
The firm’s net loss for the year was $276 million, down from $677 million last year, and this improvement to its balance sheet comes despite a slight drop in revenue, which fell from $3.65 billion last year to $3.59 billion.
Naughty Dog's creative director Amy Hennig on the continuing charm of Nathan Drake.
Firm announces unspecified "reduction of workforce" at Split/Second developer; source says 100 jobs to go.
Disney Interactive has confirmed that staff at Split/Second developer Black Rock are to be made redundant.
In a statement the firm told us: "Disney Interactive Studios confirms a reduction of its workforce from the Brighton-based internal game development studio, Black Rock Studios. The studio will continue its work on its current project."
Kaz Hirai claims hacking group left calling card on Sony’s servers during attack; “It wasn’t us,” Anonymous says.
Sony has accused the "hacktivist" group Anonymous of carrying out the attack on PSN which has resulted in the personal details of more than 100 million users being stolen - but the group insists it is not to blame.
Government says Sony’s delay in notifying customers of data loss means legislation "appears necessary."
The Australian government is to introduce new legislation to ensure companies notify their customers of compromised personal information in the wake of the PSN attack, according to reports.
