MCV570 January 15th 2010

THE INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Friday January 15 2010 £3.25

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THE MARKET FOR COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES

Issue 570 Friday January 15 2010 £3.25

WITH THIS

04 Berkley’s back

ISSUE

Centresoft expands its exec team with the appointment of veteran Gerry Berkley

In-depth guide to the online services available through the Wii and DS

13 December charts update We run through last month’s big software sellers and publisher successes

16 Recruitment Special Our yearly Salary Survey returns, plus advice on the 2010 jobs market

EVERY BUYER EVERY BRANCH EVERY INDIE EVERY WEEK

INCORPORATING

DS – bigger than ever XL to arrive on March 5th and sell alongside DSi Slight price premium Heavyweight TV campaign Nintendo classifies super-sized handheld as ‘new hardware launch’ DS Lite to remain on the market, but DSi taking over

by Dave Roberts A NEW CHAPTER in the seemingly never-ending DS success story begins on March 5th with the launch of the Nintendo DSi XL. The handheld’s fourth generation model boasts screens that are 30 per cent bigger than the one on the DSi (4.2 inches compared to 3.25).

Both models will be sold simultaneously, as will the DS Lite – but the format-holder told MCV it will become more and more focused on the online-connected DSi devices.

"Our current plans are to continue manufacturing Nintendo DS Lite globally,” the firm explained.

“The DS Lite has been a highly popular handheld console and has brought fun to an expanded audience of gamers – male and female; young and old – and sales remain strong.

“That said, it is true that our key focus in the UK for 2010 will be the Nintendo DSi and DSi XL."

“

The next version of the Nintendo DS features substantially larger, brighter screens

DSi, but as always, the final price to consumers is determined by the retailers.”

MCV expects retailers to price the XL at around £149, with the DSi costing £10 to £20 less. The DSi launched in April 2009 and

The DS Lite brought fun to an expanded audience. That said, our focus in the UK for 2010 will be DSi and DSi XL. Nintendo spokesperson

A small price difference between the DSi and the XL is also expected. A spokesman offered: “There will be a slight premium on the Nintendo DSi XL trade price to retailers compared to the Nintendo

”

accounted for 40 per cent of the UK DS market in the following eight months according to GfK-ChartTrack.

Nintendo is treating the XL as a new hardware launch. A heavyweight TV campaign will

be rolled out in early March – full details will be revealed next week in an exclusive interview with marketing director Dawn Paine.

The format-holder plans to promote the fact that the XL boasts a ‘wider viewing angle’, meaning that the screen is easier to see for those not actually playing. Another key feature is the inclusion of a second stylus; as well as the standard slim version, the XL will come with a larger one in the shape of a pen.

The DSi XL will launch in two colours: wine red and dark brown. It will be pre-loaded with Little Bit of Brain Training: Arts Edition, Dictionary 6 in 1 With Camera Function and the Nintendo DSi web browser.

FIVE YEARS OF DS SUCCESS March 11th, 2005 Original DS launched

online functionality, plus an in-built camera

June 23rd, 2006 The more compact and slimline DS Lite launched in the UK and Europe

March 5th, 2010 DSi XL launched, boasting a screen 33 per cent bigger than the DSi

April 3rd, 2009 DSi launched, with added

Cumulative UK sales to December 10th 2009: 10m

PERSONNEL 28 RETAIL BIZ 29 NEW RELEASES 35 HIGH STREET 36 CHARTS 38

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NEWS

[LEADER] UNCHARTED TERRITORY So what’s next for the best-selling games machine in the world?

The Nintendo DS has been a phenomenon, with 10m sold in the UK and over 130m sold globally.

But when a format reaches numbers like that (and only PSone and PS2 have come close), it tends to mark the curtain call for the hardware.

Yet by Nintendo’s reckoning there’s still life in the old DS yet. It’s hard to disagree. It was the UK’s best selling games hardware in 2009 – accounting for a massive wedge of the 2.7m handhelds sold in total.

With Nintendo readying both bigger and better hardware now on a seemingly annual basis, and actually advertising those ‘hidden gem’ online functions, there’s clearly more to come.

Arguably this is breaking new ground for the games industry. The hardware cycle is potentially not even at its half-way point, so there’s a learning curve ahead as the industry works out how to extend the life of the platforms it has pushed out to a bigger audience than ever before.

Nintendo has done this by switching its handheld focus to the DSi and its XL brother – presumably given their better connection to the online service the format-holder is slowly but surely building.

Once upon a time the firm was famously both unconvinced about some areas of online and stringent about others; it favoured user safety and ease-of-use over flashy features and content.

Watching the firm combine the two for the massmarket, and presumably beef up its share in the online space along the way, is going to be fun to watch. Rivals beware.

GAME WEATHERS THE STORM The Christmas trading report for GAME, released earlier this week and just as we went to press, makes for interesting reading.

As is usual for such financial documents penned during a market dip, it was carefully worded and cautiously written.

And yes, on paper the Group has seen a year-onyear decline in sales. But unfavourable comparisons to the record-breaking numbers of 2008 perhaps mask the fact that GAME is still one of the gems of the UK High Street. And let’s not forget it is the industry’s champion on the consumer frontline.

Last year the retailer was one of the few UK chains to report strong performance as the credit crunch bit down hard.

Sure, in 2009, its sales sunk in line with the market it operates in – but it’s still on track to deliver its second-best yearly profit in company history.

That’s bloody good going, and not something we should forget.

GAME’s two chains are, to a large number of gamers, the store front for the entire industry.

So when its management says that ‘the next growth phase of the video games market’ is still to come, and that this year’s upcoming motion-sensing controllers will drive people back into stores, the rest of us should listen.

Michael.French@intentmedia.co.uk

Big campaign for Wii Nintendo’s new ad push to focus on digital downloads ‘Retail

by Dave Roberts THE XL MIGHT be grabbing all the headlines this week, but the start of 2010 has also seen Nintendo focussing on the online capabilities of the DS and Wii. A three week TV campaign kicks off on Monday (January 18th), with two different strands highlighting the capabilities of the Wii and the

“

Training (on DSiWare) and Dictionary 6 in 1.

As with the pre-Christmas campaign, all ads will direct viewers to nintendo.co.uk, this time to view a series of bitesize tutorials explaining how to get online and access the different features on both formats.

Meanwhile, retailers will be sent leaflets to display at point of purchase. They will help consumers get online and push

WiiWare and DSiWare are not threats to retail, but will work alongside the stores. It is not a replacement.

Polly Sherrard, Nintendo

DSi. This will be backed up by a drive to educate and involve retailers, encouraging them to explain and promote the features in-store.

The Wii ad focuses on the BBC iPlayer, downloadable content for Activision’s Band Hero, and the exclusive WiiWare game, Bonsai Barber.

The DSi, meanwhile, gets three separate executions, each showing a different feature: Facebook, Little Bit of Brain

BERKLEY JOINS

CENTRESOFT RETAIL VETERAN Gerry Berkley has joined Centresoft as consumer fulfilment sales manager. He joins the distributor following a stint at Shop Direct, where he was tasked with increasing the firm’s share in the entertainment industry. He has worked in retail for 28 years, and has handled games for Woolworths, Blockbuster, HMV and Virgin. “I am delighted to welcome Gerry to the team,” commercial director Margaret Pearson told MCV. “He brings with him a huge amount of industry knowledge and experience and will be a great asset in driving our consumer fulfilment projects forward.”

”

the benefits of the enhanced, connected experience. There will also be POS flagging up the availability of Nintendo Points (needed to purchase premium online content) and lanyards for staff to wear so that they have all the info at hand.

Online manager Polly Sherrard told MCV: “WiiWare and DSiWare are not threats to retail. We don’t believe today’s packaged business will simply be replaced by electronic

distribution. Titles like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart and Wii Fit will always work best with the big launch presence that only a retail environment can provide. WiiWare will work alongside retail. It is not a replacement.”

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MCV 15/01/10 5

NEWS

and DSiWare

[PRE ORDERS]

TOP 10

has nothing to fear,’ says platform holder

FINAL FANTASY XIII PS3 SQUARE ENIX

2. HEAVY RAIN PS3 ..........................................SONY

3. GOD OF WAR III PS3 ..........................................SONY

Just Dance shatters Ubisoft records on Wii

by James Batchelor

Sherrard wants retail involved in the promotion of Wii and DS’ online features, such as WiiWare, DSiWare, Facebook and BBC iPlayer

JUST DANCE has become Ubisoft’s most successful Wii release ever.

The game was released on November 27th and at first could only manage No.30 in the All Formats Charts.

However, the following week it reached the Top Ten, where it has remained ever since. And now it currently sits in third position.

“Just Dance is Ubisoft’s fastest-selling game on Wii,” brand manager Rachael Grant told MCV. “It was vital for us to get it trialled by consumers.

“Integral to this was a strong TV campaign with

4. MAG: COLLECTOR’S EDITION PS3 ..........................................SONY

5. MASS EFFECT 2

major spot buys during the likes of The X Factor supported with shopping centre tours that took part around the country.

“The game was even picked up by The Gadget Show and Angela & Friends on Sky One.” Grant added that the prominence of dance-themed TV shows, such as Strictly Come Dancing, made this a key time to release such a title. She also revealed we can expect to see more from the franchise in the future.

“The Just Dance brand is growing and we hope to follow up the success with new iterations,” she said.

360 ..............................................EA

6. MAG PS3 ..........................................SONY

7. SPLINTER CELL: CONVICTION 360 ......................................UBISOFT

8. DANTE’S INFERNO PS3 ..............................................EA

9. BIOSHOCK 2 360 ....................................2K GAMES

10. ALIENS VS PREDATOR 360 ..........................................SEGA Week ending January 11th Source: SHOPTO.COM Turn to page 37 for more pre-order charts from leading online retailers

Ubisoft: 01932 578000

UK SOFTWARE SALES MONITOR Your weekly guide to the UK games software market…

This week’s UK video game sales plummeted 54 per cent. Value for the week dropped to £27.4 million, while unit sales fell 53 per cent to 1,364,130 The fall is despite the launch of two new IPs, Sega’s Bayonetta and THQ’s Darksiders.

However, the week’s results are in line with the typical post-Christmas sales slowdown. Once again, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was the week’s biggest seller.

Despite traditionally being the quiet period, more big releases are scheduled to arrive at retail this week, including Sega’s Vancouver 2010, EA’s Army of Two: The 40th Day and D3 Publisher’s Astro Boy – so there’s every chance sales of games may rise next week.

[WEEKLY MARKET VALUE]

Total UK Software Sales Source: ELSPA/ChartTrack and Intent Media

100

Week Ending January 9th 2010

£27.4m

80

60

40

20

Modern Warfare 2 continues to be the biggest title at retail and is now the third biggest game in UK chart history

0

£85.6m

£60.1m

£27.4m

3,810,137 Units

2,921,913 Units

1,363,130 Units

Week Ending December 25th

Week Ending January 2nd

Week Ending January 9th

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NEWS

CHIPS trials Xplace info kiosks Interactive device allows customers to browse product information in CHIPS stores throughout the country

by James Batchelor CHIPS STORES have been testing out a new device that allows customers to access info on the latest games.

The UK’s largest indie games chain has been trialling the interactive information kiosk Xplace Games Advisor, in five of its outlets: Yeovil, Guisborough, Arnold, Dudley and Hartlepool.

“

Xplace kiosks offer. CHIPS staff members have even been using the devices to improve their own product knowledge.

“After a one-month trial, we are very happy with the Xplace Games Advisor,” said Guisborough CHIPS franchisee Paul Whitfield.

“Our customers really love to hunt for their favourite games on the terminal. It’s also become extremely useful for

We are very happy with the Xplace Games Advisor. It’s become extremely useful for our customers.

Paul Whitfield, CHIPS

Supplied by German manufacturer Xplace, the kiosks allow consumers to read up on new releases, as well as view product descriptions, screenshots, artwork and the latest trailers.

Feedback from each of the stores has been positive so far, with the public taking full advantage of everything the

”

our customers looking at the pre-owned games we have available in-store.”

Xplace’s UK sales manager Ian Laycock added: “Our terminals have been very well accepted by CHIPS customers.

Some stores are recording more than 2,000 clicks a week, which is excellent for independent games stores.”

Xplace kiosks are filled with information on the latest releases and are being trialled in CHIPS stores

The kiosks allow shoppers to check out Top 10 charts, info on age ratings, read recommendations and browse the store’s range of games including pre-owned products.

News of special in-store tech is in contrast to last year’s announcement that CHIPS has entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement after failing to pay creditors in full.

However, last week jointMD Don McCabe told MCV he is confident the chain will strengthen in 2010.

CHIPS: 0870 0130 028 Xplace: 0208 663 2545

The Hut and AntiGrav partner with MCV Awards Games Publisher award and Peripherals & Accessories brand prize sponsored by retail and hardware experts MORE SPONSORS have thrown their weight behind this year’s MCV Awards.

Rising online retailer The Hut Group is official partner of the Games Publisher award, while peripherals specialists AntiGrav is sponsoring the new Peripherals & Accessories Brand award.

“I’m really pleased that The Hut Group are sponsoring best Games Publisher at the MCV Awards in April, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to say thank you for the support and time we get from publishers. I look forward to congratulating the

Peripherals & Accessories Brand sponsor

Games Publisher sponsor

winner on the day,” said The Hut’s commercial director Richard Chapple.

The two firms join Nintendo, Codemasters and Premier PR as event partners.

Nintendo is sponsoring the Retail Category, Premier PR is sponsoring the New Game Brand award, while

Codemasters will help set up a memorable night with the prereception drinks.

The 2010 MCV Industry Excellence Awards take place at The Brewery in London on Thursday, April 22nd.

Over 600 retailers and senior executives from all sectors of the business will

attend what is one of the most popular nights on the UK games industry calendar. More than half the tickets have been snapped up already.

Several new categories have been introduced for this year, including Supermarket of the Year, Peripherals & Accessories

Brand of the Year, and Best Game Creative (based on single advertising execution).

For more information about sponsorship opportunities and tables contact Kathryn Humphrey on 01992 535 646 or email Kathryn.Humphrey @intentmedia.co.uk

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NEWS

South Peak bringing cult PS3 hit to Europe in May Publisher readies 3D Dot Game Heroes for Sony’s console

by James Batchelor SOUTH PEAK has swooped for the publishing rights to retro-inspired PS3 title 3D Dot Game Heroes in Europe.

The PS3 title is a fantasy adventure that mimics the pixelated character designs of classic ‘80s games but in a 3D world, complete with a retro ‘chip tunes’ soundtrack.

The game has received plenty of positive press so far, with critics praising its stylised look that fuses old-fashioned and modern graphical styles.

South Peak MD Jonathan Hales told MCV: “3D Dot Game Heroes is a fantastic PS3 exclusive that’s going to be a

“

South Peak’s Hales (left) believes 3D Dot Game Heroes (inset) will be a major hit for the publisher

portfolio with similar products throughout 2010 to make this South Peak Europe’s biggest year yet.”

We will add similar products to our portfolio throughout 2010 to make this South Peak Europe’s biggest year yet.

Jonathan Hales, South Peak

stellar title in South Peak’s 2010 line-up.

“It’s a perfect example of our intent to bring unique, quality games to Europe and we fully expect to broaden our

”

3D Dot Game Heroes is being handled by Atlus in the US, and South Peak will be working with the publisher on a simultaneous launch with the US release date of May 11th.

Atlus’ VP of sales and marketing Tim Pivnicny said: “South Peak is the perfect publisher for 3D Dot Game Heroes in Europe. They share our enthusiasm for its charm and retro appeal, and will work hard to get the game into as many eager hands as possible.

“They also recognise the frustration European gamers feel in having to wait months after other regions to get hold of exciting releases. This is why we’re working together to deliver a simultaneous launch for US and Europe.”

South Peak: 020 3176 0417

Star Trek to boost retail THE COLLECTOR’S edition of Star Trek Online will be the only SKU of Atari’s anticipated MMORPG to hit UK shelves.

Namco Bandai Partners has told MCV that it will focus only on the Gold Edition in order to encourage consumers to buy the boxed product, over the digital version.

Retail-only incentives will be key to the initiative, with the collector’s edition boasting a Tshirt, map, postcards, in-game DLC uniforms and a 30-day timecard for playing online.

“This will be the only edition available at launch,” explained Namco Bandai

Partners product manager Lauren Bradley.

“The reason for this approach is to provide value for the Star Trek fans that wish

to buy boxed product rather than downloading the game.

“These items were developed from feedback we received from Trekkies. Star Trek fans spend an average of £250 per year on the franchise, so this will be a valued edition to their collection.”

Planned marketing initiatives include sampling events, online advertising and a ‘Tweet in Klingon’ social media application.

Namco Bandai Partners: 020 8222 9700

Toy Fair set for Olympia return THE TOY INDUSTRY’S annual expo hits London this month and will be rejuvenated by a move back to Olympia from ExCeL. The show takes place on January 26th to 28th and could be one of the busiest shows for a number of years thanks to the change of venue and a new, shorter, weekday format.

“

commented BTHA Fairs and Events manager Simon Pilling.

Major players such as Lego, which has just announced its MMORPG Lego Universe, EA licensor Hasbro, and Bandai will be exhibiting.

The BTHA has now opened a waiting list for potential exhibitors. Pilling added: “Our plan for 2010 was always to

Toy Fair 2010 is on par with ‘09 in terms of exhibitors and space. A great position to be in considering the economy.

Simon Pilling, BTHA

Some 180 toy companies will exhibit in the Grand and West Halls at Olympia, which are now sold out. Visitor registrations for the event are 35 per cent ahead of this time last year according to toy trade body, the BTHA. “Toy Fair 2010 is on a par with 2009 in terms of exhibitor numbers and exhibition space: a fantastic position for us to be in considering the impact the economical turmoil has had on many trade shows this year,”

”

fill the Grand and West Halls and then open a waiting list.

“There are already a handful of firms on this list and should it grow to the point where creating a new area is feasible, then the BTHA will look into extending into the hall’s ante rooms or upstairs on the gallery.

“However, we would only create this additional space if we felt the exhibitors will still enjoy a great Toy Fair experience.” www.toyfair.co.uk

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NEWS

VidZone cementing PS3 cred London team behind increasingly popular music service say streaming app attracts thousands of new users

by Michael French OVER TWO MILLION PS3 owners have downloaded the music streaming app VidZone.

And the team behind the service say they are helping to attract thousands of new users to the platform – even giving comparable services like Spotify a run for their money.

“

from thousands of independent record labels and many of the major ones.

VidZone’s CEO Adrian Workman told MCV: “In any industry, those numbers are phenomenal – it’s a significant milestone. VidZone continues to surge on PS3 and is an incredibly well-received consumer proposition.

Vidzone is a siginificant proposition. Compared to Spotify, we are just as successful.

Adrian Workman, VidZone

More than two million users have signed up for the free service, watching 200 million videos in just six months – the London-based creators say this makes VidZone the biggest dedicated music video streaming app in the world.

Built via a collaboration with SCEE, VidZone offers content

”

“In terms of the statistics and the number of users that we have gained, if you compare us to something in the music area, such as Spotify, we are just as successful.

“In terms of what we are doing for the PS3 as a games console, we are a very significant proposition.”

VidZone boasts thousands of free music videos from the likes of Lady Gaga and other artists

Workman said that the increasing popularity of VidZone amongst PS3 users and the music industry is converting thousands over to PlayStation.

And users across 18 countries are devoting hours of attention to the service, he added.

“What we’re seeing is that the usage of the store is

significant to what happens on PC – some users come on and play 10 music videos, and others come on and play 100 videos,” he said. “That’s a huge amount of time they spend playing and watching music videos.

“We thought people would choose one video at a time but

VidZone users are setting up huge playlists and using our preprogrammed one.

“And our research shows that often there are multiple people in the room when VidZone is on, so we’re arguably reaching three or four times the amount of downloads we have seen.”

VidZone: 020 8487 5880

Half-Minute Hero Babel vet joins talent firm lands in February RISING STAR GAMES has announced it will be releasing Half-Minute Hero in Europe on February 12th.

The Marvelous-developed PSP-exclusive RPG will cater to fans of old-school gaming with its retro-inspired visuals and fast-paced gameplay.

Half-Minute Hero challenges players with a series of quests that must be completed within a strict time limit of 30 seconds.

It also boasts 8-bit style visuals as an homage to earlier RPGs. The game was well received in Japan and the US, with a current Metacritic store of 84.

“Despite being grounded in the fantasy RPG genre, Half-

The PSP game’s 8-bit visuals are key to its appeal

Minute Hero is a game unlike any other,” said Rising Star Games’ MD Martin Defries.

“It’s impossible to play without a massive grin on you face. Half-Minute Hero is a game that keeps on giving – but like an inexperienced teenager: 30 seconds at a time.”

Rising Star: 01582 433700

AFTER 12 YEARS at Babel Media, Ben Wibberley has taken on a new role at Hollywood talent agency William Rubin.

Wibberley co-founded Babel and oversaw the development of the business into one of the biggest names in games outsourcing, thanks to its global QA and testing operation.

“The decision to leave Babel was not an easy one,” he told MCV. “I am very proud of what we have achieved with the company, the growth we have undergone and the way we have helped shape and define outsourced services.

“I’d also like to thank the operational and production teams at Babel. These are the people on the ground and without their hard work, late

Wibberley is to lead William Rubin into the games industry

nights and dedication, none of this would have been possible.”

Babel’s VP of sales and marketing Keith Russell added: “I wish Ben all the best. I think he is doing exactly the right thing for him, and I know I’ll miss our witty conference calls

as much as Barclaycard will miss his expenses.”

Wibberley is tasked with getting the William Rubin Agency much closer the games industry and digital content.

He said: “I believe that our industry, although constantly evolving, is on the brink of a major sea change that will revolutionise the way that we work. We should look to other entertainment industries to see the lessons, both good and bad, that we can learn from them.

“I’ll be working on offering publishing, consultancy, business management, and facilitation services to game developers, distributors and publishers that want to maximize their presence in interactive entertainment.”

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NEWS

Sponsored by

Disney pledges closer movie ties Movie and games departments join forces to promote upcoming animated blockbuster

by Christopher Dring DISNEY INTERACTIVE has teamed up with the full Walt Disney business to promote upcoming movie tie-in The Princess and the Frog.

The blockbuster animated movie is due for release this month, and has garnered much

“

“On The Princess and the Frog, we’re working with other areas of the business more closely than we have ever done before,” commented Disney marketing manger Steve Woodward.

“We’ve built a collaborative campaign from the ground up and will bring the game message

We’re working with other areas of the Disney business more closely that we have ever done before.

Steve Woodward, Disney

press attention for being a return to Disney’s classic 2D roots and featuring the firm's first black protagonist in Princess Tiana.

The game tie-in is set to follow on February 5th on DS and Wii, and will benefit from major cross-marketing activity.

”

to Princess and Frog fans, wherever they may be.

“We’re looking to promote the game through traditional above-the-line media, as well as maximising the many unique opportunities that exist throughout the wider Walt Disney Company.”

MICROSOFT: Las Vegas’ CES 2010 saw the unveiling of Xbox Live Game Room, a virtual and customisable arcade room that Xbox owners will be able to fill with classic retro games.

Microsoft also announced the Xbox 360 has sold more than 39 million units worldwide to date.

The Princess and the Frog is vital to Disney’s film and game teams

Disney also expects The Princess and the Frog to be a real long-term seller, much like the firm’s other hit franchises.

“The Princess and the Frog is a new Disney classic that will stand the test of time,” continued Woodward.

“Like previous smash hits such as The Lion King, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid – and their associated game releases – we expect the game to continue selling through well beyond the theatrical and DVD releases.”

Disney: 020 8222 1413

EEK W E H T F O N IG A P M CA VANCOUVER 2010 An Olympic-sized campaign is already in the works for Sega’s official companion to the upcoming games in Vancouver…

RELEASED: JANUARY 15 FORMATS: XBOX 360, PS3, PC PUBLISHER: SEGA

TV A highly-targeted TV campaign will be central to Sega’s marketing efforts, with 30 and 20-second ads timed to run alongside televised coverage of the various events in the Olympics Winter Games.

The ads will also appear during programming aimed at 16 to 34-yearolds across a range of channels, including Sky One, Dave, E4, ITV2, Comedy Central and Eurosport.

DEVELOPER: EUROCOM PRICE: VARIOUS DISTRIBUTOR: CENTRESOFT CONTACT: 0121 625 3388

PRINT The publisher has arranged a largescale print

KOCH: Under a new strategic alliance, South Peak has been named as the exclusive partner for Koch Media’s Deep Silver label in the North American markets.

The UK distributor will receive a minority stake in South Peak as part of the publishing and distribution deal.

campaign that will see a mix of advertorials and singlepage ads in a range of specialist games and men’s lifestyle press. These ads will also run

in key specialist sporting magazines and national press in order to engage a wider audience.

The company has also been working to raise awareness of the game’s arrival through a dedicated three-month specialist and lifestyle PR campaign.

ONLINE A heavyweight online marketing campaign will see several homepage takeovers and rich media creatives featured on numerous dedicated sporting sites, including Eurosport, Sky Sports, talkSPORT and MSN.

SONY: The firm revealed at CES that PS3 sales were up 76 per cent year on year globally during December.

More than 3.8 million PS3 units were sold during the five weeks from the end of November to the end of the year. There are now 38 million registered PSN accounts worldwide.

NINTENDO: Satoru Iwata confirmed that the new Legend Of Zelda title in development for Wii will be released some time in 2010.

The title is expected to be unveiled at this year’s E3.

EA: Sakar International and Sunflex Europe have signed new agreements with Electronic Arts to produce new peripherals under the EA Sports brand. As we reported last week, A4T has also signed a similar deal.

LATEST NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE Bookmark us in your phone:

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MARKET DATA

That’s Entertainment Chris Dring runs through highlights from the full year sales for games, music and movies...

[UK GAMES MARKET IN 2009: THE NUMBERS] Game sales in 2009 hit

£1.529bn* This is 14 per cent down compared to 2009, and the second biggest year on record.

2.7m handheld consoles were sold in 2009.

This is a 27 per cent decline compared to 2008.

Xbox 360 video game sales

The total sales of games, software, hardware and accessories reached

The UK console hardware market in 2009 was worth

£3.311bn

£1.060bn.

in the UK during 2009.

24 per cent less than it was worth in 2008.

PC game sales tumbled 27%

Year-on-year

in terms of units during 2009.

The amount of PSP software sold in 2009 reached

rose 4%

£44m. This is a 37

year-on-year to £459m.

per cent decline over 2008.

*Like-for-like comparisons mean that only the first 52 weeks of 2009 are taken into account in these figures. Week 53 (week ending January 2nd) is not included in these results.

29.6m is the number of console accessories that were sold through retail in 2009. This is five per cent down compared to the year before.

£342m

PlayStation 2

worth of PlayStation 3 video games were sold in 2009.

This is a year-on-year rise of two per cent.

software sales in terms of revenue

dropped 72%

Year-on-year, sales of

£292m

DS games fell 27% in terms of revenue. £266m was spent on DS software last year.

[SOURCE]

in 2009. Down from £92 million to £25 million.

worth of Wii games were sold in 2009, a decline of 18 per cent compared with 2008. (c) ELSPA, Compiled

by ChartTrack

[HOW MUSIC AND MOVIES FARED] MUSIC

DVD AND BLU-RAY

There were 128.9 million albums sold in the UK in 2009, a fall of 3.5 per cent year-on-year.

The record industry trade body BPI cites the fall of Woolworths and Zavvi as two big reasons for the decline in album sales.

However, single sales enjoyed a record year with 152.7 million singles sold in 2009, a rise of 32.7 per cent. This is almost entirely down to the growth of digital, with 98 per cent of single sales coming through digital platforms such as iTunes.

Despite the fall in album sales overall, the sale of digital LPs increased by 56.1 per cent in 2009 to 16.1 million units. Digital albums now account for 12.5 per cent over the overall album market.

All data is courtesy of trade body BPI and the Official Charts Company

The DVD market continues to outperform video games in 2009, with £2.167 billion worth of DVD and Bluray discs sold last year.

The UK DVD market continues to outperform video games with over £2bn spent on home video entertainment last year The figure is according to the British Video Association (BVA) with data supplied by the Official Charts Company - and relayed to MCV. Despite the robust performance, the home entertainment market is still 10.1 per cent down compared to 2008.

As with music, the BVA highlighting the collapse of Woolworths and Zavvi as the reason for the fall – as was the case with the music sector.

Sales of DVDs fell 7.3 per cent during 2009, however, in contrast the sales of Blu-ray discs increased 123 per cent.

Furthermore, sales of home video entertainment in December saw a year-on-year increase of 1.8 per cent.

Because of the growth in Blu-ray and digital downloads, the BVA expects 2010 to be growth year for the home video market.

The body also expect HD TV sales to spike ahead of the World Cup in the summer.

Standalone Blu-ray players were also up 158 per cent year-on-year in 2009. The big DVD and Blu-ray sellers included Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince, Quantum of Solace and Twilight.

Olympic glory never comes easy. Prove your courage and skill as you compete for your country in 14 adrenaline-fuelled winter events, where only the best is good enough to claim victory. Hold your nerve. Give it everything.

Take the gold.

Developed by

Published by

Available on:

TM IOC. Copyright © 2010 International Olympic Committee (“IOC”). This video game is the property of the IOC and may not be copied, republished, stored in a retrieval system or otherwise reproduced or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means whatsoever, without prior written consent of the IOC. © SEGA. SEGA and the SEGA logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA Corporation. All brands or product names listed are trademarks or registered trademarks and are property of their respective holders.

“2”, “PlayStation”, “Ô and “À“ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Windows, the Windows Start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies, and “Games for Windows” and the Windows Start button logo are used under license from Microsoft.

BTHA_TF10 MCV[Dec]ad:Layout 1

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hobbies, games & toys for kids of all ages

NEW DECADE NEW VENUE NEW BUSINESS?

FEATURING

FLAIR• HASBRO• HIVE ENTERTAINMENT• GEA R 4 GAMES• RE:CREATION• BANDAI • INTERPLAY• BLADEZ TOYZ• HABA

& MANY MORE

Will you be here to find

OLYMPIA GRAND HALL 26TH-28TH JANUARY 2010

Pre-register for your FREE visitor entry badge at: www.toyfair.co.uk from 1st September 2009 For further information on exhibiting and sponsorship contact: Simon Pilling, Fairs and Events Manager, by telephone: +44(0)20 7701 7127 or by email: simon@btha.co.uk Unfortunately members of the public are unable to attend.

Organised by:

Visit

www.toyfair.co.uk for further information

13,14 MCV570_FINAL:Layout 1

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MCV 15/01/10 13

UK MONTHLY CHARTS: DECEMBER

Christmas crackers December 2009 wasn’t all about Modern Warfare 2, with Nintendo, Ubisoft and Electronic Arts also enjoying huge sales during the festive period. MCV takes a closer look...

SOFTWARE MARKET SHARE BY COMPANY (UNITS) THIS LAST MONTH MONTH

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2 3 4 1 5 6 9 10 8 7

– –

[SOURCE]

NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.7% EA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.0% UBISOFT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.4% ACTIVISION BLIZZARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.4% SEGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5% SONY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.7% THQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.9% DISNEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.7% MICROSOFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.4% TAKE 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Modern Warfare 2 may have been the biggest game of December, but publisher Activision still slipped behind Nintendo, EA and Ubisoft in terms of software units sold. The likes of Assassin's Creed II and Just Dance did the business for Ubisoft.

SOFTWARE MARKET SHARE BY COMPANY (VALUE)

– –

2 1 4 3 5 6 7 8

– – – –

NINTENDO WII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.2% XBOX 360 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.1% NINTENDO DS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.3% PS3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.5% PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6% PSP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1% PS2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3% XBOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.0%

SOFTWARE MARKET SHARE BY FORMAT (VALUE)

(c) ELSPA, Compiled by ChartTrack

2 3 1 4 5 8 6 9 7 12

LAST WEEK

Wii titles controlled almost a third of the market in terms of unit sales in December, with six games for the format in the Top Ten. Nintendo’s console dislodged 360 from the top position after Microsoft’s machine enjoyed huge sales in November courtesy of Modern Warfare 2.

THIS LAST MONTH MONTH

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

SOFTWARE MARKET SHARE BY FORMAT (UNITS) THIS WEEK

NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.2% EA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.6% ACTIVISION BLIZZARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.0% UBISOFT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.4% SEGA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.6% SONY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1% MICROSOFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.9% THQ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1% TAKE 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8% DISNEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6%

It was a great month for Nintendo. The firm had four games in the Top Ten, including Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus, New Super Mario Bros Wii and Mario Kart Wii. EA took second place in the software value by company charts, driven by sales of FIFA and Left 4 Dead 2.

THIS WEEK

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

LAST WEEK

2 1 4 3 5 6 7 8

– – – –

NINTENDO WII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30.9% XBOX 360 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.8% PS3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.7% NINTENDO DS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.6% PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2% PSP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1% PS2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.9% XBOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.0%

PSP and PC game sales struggled last month, although many PC titles are sold digitally – something that’ll hopefully be reflected in future charts. Meanwhile, the higher cost of PS3 games has seen the format command a bigger market share in terms of value than it did units.

INDIVIDUAL FORMAT CHARTS PS2

PS3

PSP

XBOX360

1

1

1

1

FIFA 10.....................................................................................EA

COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

2 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010...................KONAMI

2 ASSASSIN’S CREED II ........................................UBISOFT

LITTLEBIGPLANET .....................................................SONY

COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

2 FIFA 10.....................................................................................EA

2 ASSASSIN’S CREED II ........................................UBISOFT

3 COD: WORLD AT WAR.............ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

3 FIFA 10.....................................................................................EA

3 GRAN TURISMO............................................................SONY

3 FIFA 10.....................................................................................EA

4 WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2010.......................THQ

4 UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES ....................SONY

4 ASSASSIN’S CREED: BLOODLINES.............UBISOFT

4 FORZA MOTORSPORT 3 .............................MICROSOFT

5 SINGSTAR MOTOWN ..................................................SONY

5 NEED FOR SPEED: SHIFT.............................................EA

5 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2010 ..................................SEGA

5 LEFT 4 DEAD 2..................................................................EA

6 TRANSFORMERS: FALLEN...ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

6 JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR.........................UBISOFT

6 GTA: CHINATOWN WARS..............................ROCKSTAR

6 GTA EPISODES - LIBERTY CITY..............ROCKSTAR

7 BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE .................................................D3P

7 WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2010.......................THQ

7 F1 2009 .........................................................CODEMASTERS

7 HALO 3: ODST ..................................................MICROSOFT

8 DISNEY SING IT: POP HITS................................DISNEY

8 TEKKEN 6...................................................NAMCO BANDAI

8 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010 ....................KONAMI

8 JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR.........................UBISOFT

9 GUITAR HERO 5.........................ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

9 BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM...............................EIDOS

9 STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT: ELITE ....LUCASARTS

9 NEED FOR SPEED: SHIFT.............................................EA

10 HARRY POTTER: HALF-BLOOD PRINCE..............EA

10 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010 ....................KONAMI

10 LEGO INDIANA JONES 2...............................LUCASARTS

10 LIPS NUMBER ONE HITS............................MICROSOFT

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UK MONTHLY CHARTS: DECEMBER

ALL FORMATS TOP 50

1

1

CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACTIVISION BLIZZARD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, PC, DS

2

ASSASSIN’S CREED II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UBISOFT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, DS

3

FIFA 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, PS2, WII, PSP, DS, PSP

4

WII SPORTS RESORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII

5

WII FIT PLUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII

6

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII

7

MARIO & SONIC AT THE WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES . . . . . . SEGA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII, DS

8

FORZA MOTORSPORT 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MICROSOFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360

9

MARIO KART WII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII

10 JUST DANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UBISOFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII 11

LEFT 4 DEAD 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PC

12

LEGO BATMAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WARNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, WII, DS, PSP, PS3, PS2, PC

13

NEED FOR SPEED: SHIFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PS3, 360, PC, PSP

2

14 PROFESSOR LAYTON AND PANDORA'S BOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS 15 JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UBISOFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, WII, DS, PSP, PC 16 LEGO INDIANA JONES 2: ADVENTURE CONTINUES . . . . . LUCASARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS, WII, 360. PS3, PSP, PC 17

F1 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CODEMASTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII, PSP

18 PURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DISNEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, PC 19 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KONAMI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PS3, 360, PC 20 WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, WII, DS 21

DR KAWASHIMA'S BRAIN TRAINING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS

3

22 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACTIVISION BLIZZARD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII, PS3, 360, PC, DS 23 GTA EPISODES: LIBERTY CITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ROCKSTAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360 24 WII PLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII 25 RABBIDS GO HOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UBISOFT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII, DS 26 UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SONY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PS3 27 DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, PC 28 TEKKEN 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NAMCO BANDAI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PS3, 360, PSP 29 DJ HERO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACTIVISION BLIZZARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, WII, PS2 30 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SEGA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PC, PSP 31

LEGO STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LUCASARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII, DS, PS3, 360

4

32 BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EIDOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, PC 33 PEPPA PIG: THE GAME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UBISOFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS 34 THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SPIRIT TRACKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS 35 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS 36 BORDERLANDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2K GAMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, PC 37 LEGO INDIANA JONES: ORIGINAL ADVENTURES . . . . . . . . LUCASARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS, WII, 360. PS3, PSP, PS2, PC 38 PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE CURIOUS VILLAGE . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS 39 COOKING MAMA 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505 GAMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS 40 SINGSTAR TAKE THAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SONY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PS3, PS2 41 HALO 3: ODST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MICROSOFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360 42 THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII, 360, PS3

5

43 GUITAR HERO 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACTIVISION BLIZZARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, WII, PS3, PS2 44 MARIO KART DS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS 45 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ROCKSTAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, PC 46 THE SABOTEUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, PC 47 COLIN MCRAE: DIRT 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CODEMASTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360, PS3, WII, PSP, DS 48 CARNIVAL: FUNFAIR GAMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2K PLAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DS, WII 49 BAND HERO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACTIVISION BLIZZARD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WII, 360, PS3, DS, PS2 50 LIPS: NUMBER ONE HITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MICROSOFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360

INDIVIDUAL FORMAT CHARTS CONTINUED...

WII

DS

PC - FULL PRICE

PC - BUDGET PRICE

1 WII SPORTS RESORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO

1 PROFESSOR LAYTON: PANDORA. . . . . . NINTENDO

1 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SEGA

1 ASSASSIN’S CREED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOCUS

2 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS WII. . . . . . . . . NINTENDO

2 MARIO & SONIC OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES SEGA

2 THE SIMS 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EA GAMES

2 WOW: BATTLE CHEST . . . . . . ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

3 MARIO & SONIC OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES SEGA

3 DR KAWASHIMA'S BRAIN TRAINING . . NINTENDO

3 COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

3 SNIPER: ART OF VICTORY. . . . . CITY INTERACTIVE

4 MARIO KART WII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO

4 LEGEND OF ZELDA: SPIRIT TRACKS. . NINTENDO

4 THE SIMS 3: WORLD ADVENTURES . . . . . . . . . . EA

4 BEJEWLED TWIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOCUS

5 F1 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CODEMASTERS

5 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO

5 LEFT 4 DEAD 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SEGA

5 MYSTERY IN LONDON: JACK RIPPER. . . . . FOCUS

6 RABBIDS GO HOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO

6 PROFESSOR LAYTON: CURIOUS. . . . . . . NINTENDO

6 DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EA

6 CIVILIZATION IV COMPLETE. . . . . . . . . . . 2K GAMES

7 HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT: VOL 2. . . . . . . . EA

7 COOKING MAMA 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505 GAMES

7 EMPIRE: TOTAL WAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SEGA

7 WORLD OF WARCRAFT . . . . ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

8 FIFA 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EA

8 MARIO KART DS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO

8 CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER 2010 . . . . . . . . . . EIDOS

8 ROLLERCOASTER TYCOON 3 . . . . MASTERTRONIC

9 CALL OF DUTY 4. . . . . . . . . . . ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

9 CLUB PENGUIN: ELITE PENGUIN FORCE. DISNEY

9 WOW: LICH KING . . . . . . . . . . . ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

9 MIDNIGHT MYSTERIES: EDGAR . GSP/AVANQUEST

10 TOY STORY MANIA! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DISNEY

10 MORE BRAIN TRAINING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NINTENDO

10 FALLOUT 3: GAME OF YEAR EDITION BETHESDA

10 AGE OF EMPIRES III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MICROSOFT

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RECRUITMENT SPECIAL

Salary Survey Last week we asked readers of mcvuk.com to respond to an extensive salary survey. Almost 500 took part, revealing details on their career and 2010 job prospects. Michael French analyses the answers…

AVERAGE UK GAMES INDUSTRY YEARLY SALARY:

£31,370

FOR 2010 OUR SURVEY shows no growth in the average salary. In fact it’s down a percentile from last year’s £31,655. It’s no surprise given the market’s slowdown – and effective shrink – during the last 12 months.

For this number, calculated from data given by 399 UK respondents, we’ve gone for a median average rather than a mean average (which would include the handful of very senior execs who kindly took part as

well). When you factor those highflyers back in the average raises, up to £37,352 a year.

Including all the answers from US and Euro staff the median average is £31,509 (and the mean is £40,467).

The average salaries per role are similarly flat, showing only minor increases of a few per cent maximum (see oppostie page for breakdown by the UK retail, services, PR, media, development and publishing disciplines).

FUTURE PROSPECTS We asked three key questions about the future of the job market…

Are you satisfied that your current salary covers your cost of living?

Yes – 62 % No – 38 %

WHILE THERE ISN’T any difference between 2009’s answers (which was 62 per cent yes, and 38 per cent no), dig deeper and there are some trends both frustrating and interesting.

The professions most likely to say no to the above were in-store staff, games journalists, senior PRs, games designers and QA staff.

Those most satisfied were studio coders – usually those working in London.

In the next 12 months do you expect your salary to rise, fall or stay put?

Rise – 55.8% Stay the same – 44.2% Decline – 0% THERE ARE SLIGHTLY MORE pessimistic answers here, too – with fewer people expecting their salaries to rise this year. Last year, around 60 per cent hoped for a raise.

Perhaps, 12 months after the r-word was first officially declared, the workforce has accepted the fact there’s a lengthy recession recovery due.

But no one surveyed said they expected a drop in salary this year, suggesting the worst is behind us.

Regarding your current job situation, are you feeling confident about 2010?

Yes – 73.5% No – 26.5%

RESPONDENTS WERE more upbeat about 2010 overall. Last year a third said they weren’t confident about 2009 – a year on, just 25 per cent are worried.

Those saying yes cited reasons like ‘the shift in distribution models’ and the compulsory need for good development talent as reasons to be cheerful.

What we assume to be blind optimism even led one mag staff writer to claim this will be the year ‘I am finally paid more than under a penny a word’

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MCV 15/01/09 17

RECRUITMENT SPECIAL MOVING JOBS If you are considering a change of job in future, what is the main reason?

New challenge ...........................................26.4% (2009: 21.4%)

30

Financial renumeration..........................24.0% (2009: 24.9%) Limited opportunities at current firm ......13.9% (2009: 15.5%)

25

Chance to move abroad ..............................6.3% (2009: 7.6%) Desire for broader experience...................6.3% (2009: 5.7%)

20

Location change - in the same country ..5.8% (2009: 5.7%) Promotion.......................................................5.3% (2009: 4.6%)

15

Increased responsibility ..............................4.3% (2009: 2.7%)

10

Job status.......................................................3.8% (2009: 4.3%)

5

Industry/sector..................................................1.0% (2009: 1.1%)

0

Less management opportunities..............0.0% (2009: 0.3%)

New skills..........................................................1.9% (2009: 2.7%)

More management opportunities.............0.5% (2009: 3.8%)

Are you attracted by the opportunity to work overseas?

When are you likely to change jobs?

This year, 2010 – 20.7% (2009: 30.1%) In the next 2 to 3 years – 50.3 % (2009: 38.6%) In 5 years’ time – 11.8% (2009: 13.4%) None of these – 17.2% (2009: 17.9%) THE DISPARITY between 2010’s and 2009’s results for options one and two is most telling – clearly, a huge number of people aren’t expecting (or looking) for a change of job this year. 2010 is all about employees seeking stability.

BENEFITS & BONUSES Do you receive additional benefits/bonus over and above your basic salary?

Yes – 54.2% (2009: 56.2%) No – 45.8% (2009: 43.8%)

THERE’S A jump on 2009 here, with more people saying they would work abroad.

AVERAGE SALARIES Does your employer contribute to your pension?

Yes – 59.5% (2009: 58.1%) No – 40.5% (2009: 41.9%)

Yes – 68.2% (2009: 74.4%) No – 31.8% (2009: 25.6%)

Does your employer provide any other bonuses or benefits?

Yes – 71% (2009: 67.51%) No – 29% (2009: 32.5%)

Do bonuses or benefits influence where you want to work?

MANY STAFF get sales or performance-related bonuses, but not as many reported as in 2009. In fact it’s clear there has been a slight cut back on bonsues and other benefits – but not pension plans. As with last year those on lower salaries were less likely to get any perks. A large portion of those were more likely to say they plan to change jobs during 2010 – although not necessarily for a role with simply better perks.

Yes – 72.4% (2009: 77.0%) No – 18.9% (2009: 14.5%) Don’t know – 8.7% (2009: 8.6%)

PUBLISHING & MARKETING £44,643 (2009: £43,000) RETAIL £27,738 (2009: £26,960) SERVICES & DISTRIBUTION £32,250 (2009: £31,973) GAMES DEVELOPMENT £31,964 (2009: £30,442) GAMES MEDIA £18,056 (2009: £18,125) PR & COMMUNICATIONS £28,928 (2009: £26,153) Figures given are a median average which discounts higher salaries from top-level execs with salaries in excess of £100,000. Figures for UK only.

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RECRUITMENT SPECIAL: OVERVIEW

Applying Yourself in

2010

A new year can mean a new start for many, and 2010 could be the ideal year for industry members to find alternative employment. MCV speaks to the games industry’s leading recruitment agencies about the current strengths of today’s jobs market…

Ian Goodall, Aadvark Swift’s director, urges employers to seek expert advise when looking for new staff

Managing director Kim Adcock calls for Government help to protect UK applicants

OPM RECRUITMENT 2009 WAS a turbulent year for the opportunity for people in the industry to industry’s workforce, with publishers use their experience to carve out a new and developers falling to economic role for themselves. It should be an troubles and jobs cut across the board. exciting year to find a new position But now that the worst of recession are working on ground-breaking new behind us, recruitment agencies are technologies and initiatives.” optimistic that this year will see a And the industry needs these new significant improvement. opportunities. The fiscal troubles of the “2010 is a very exciting time in the past year have taken their toll on firms games industry with new Employers are more focused companies and innovative business models creating on the quality of hire, making new opportunities and the recruitment process fresh challenges,” says more protracted than before.

Specialmove CEO Andy Stig Strand, Amiqus Campbell. “Things are improving, headcount requirements are and their staff, with jobs lost across opening up more, and candidates are everything from individual departments considering their options. to entire companies. The resultant rise Datascope’s managing director Julien in industry workers looking for new or Hofer adds: “This year is likely to bring more stable employment has presented a raft of new projects and the creation new challenges for both recruitment of new companies, providing a great agencies and applicants.

“

AARDVARK SWIFT “Due to the economic climate, competition for roles has never been higher,” says Campbell. “ While the environment is definitely improving, a high number of exceptionally qualified individuals are still competing for a limited number of roles.”

Stig Strand, head of Amiqus’ games recruitment team revealed the firm has experienced significant slowdown in the number of high profile employers looking for staff, despite the games industry’s strong performance this year.

He says: “Throughout the economic downturn, employers have become more focused on the quality of hire, the salaries being paid and the level of internal sign off for a new role internally, which in some cases has made the recruitment process more protracted than before.”

”

OPM Jobs managing director Kim Adcock adds: “Many companies scaled down their HR staff during the recession and may not have the internal capacity deal with an influx of CVs effectively.

Companies are also being more particular than ever before. They simply cannot afford to employ somebody who fails, therefore thoroughness have never been more important.”

A NEW HOPE

With the economy is starting to improve, publishers and developers are expected to make further investment in new projects this year, which can only result in new jobs across various positions. Agencies have already seen a rise in job opportunities and predict this trend will continue.

“Publishing, distribution and retail were the first areas to cut back on recruitment,” Adcock says. “They are

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RECRUITMENT SPECIAL: OVERVIEW

Specialmove’s CEO Campbell stresses the need for a strong CV Datascope boss Hofer expects new projects to benefit new applicants

Amiqus’ Leonard (left) and Strand (right) warn of increased competition for today’s vacancies

AMIQUS GAMES

DATASCOPE

also the first areas to recover and we’ve seen a dramatic increase in commercial vacancies in the last six weeks.”

Gaming’s growing influence around the world also means foreign opportunities are being presented, either in the form of new placements in other markets or a

“

individuals from Europe, Scandinavia and North America.”

Adcock adds: “The Government needs to recognise that the UK Games Industry is still the place worldwide professionals want to work, we are their first choice.

The Government needs to recognise the UK industry is still the first choice for worldwide professionals.

Kim Adcock, OPM Jobs

new workforce competing with local talent for UK positions.

However, this comes with a price and recruitment agencies are calling on the Government to ensure British applicants aren’t cast aside in favour of those from further afield.

“The industry is more global than ever, and this has resulted in a marked increase in terms of international recruitment,” says Amiqus’ principal games consultant Peter Leonard.

“This is a double edged sword, as it does mean that the UK can attract

Aardvark Swift director Ian Goodall agrees: “Companies should speak to an expert. An experienced recruitment consultant should be able to advise on the best recruitment method to use for the specific roles.”

The industry is once again finding its feet after enduring some tough times,

SPECIALMOVE and agencies believe now is the perfect time for its members to find their place.

There may be less opportunities than there used to be, but employers are still on the lookout for new ideas and skills.

Adcock concludes: “We predict that companies will need to hire this year, so if you want a change make it now.”

SEEKING NEW CHALLENGES?

”

“They are seriously damaging the ability of this country to maintain this status and also increase its income with its current policy.”

As such, agencies are hoping to prosper in the coming months, encouraging their clients to seek expert advice in order to find the talent required to stave off financial instability in the future.

“Finding and hiring the very best staff with expert – and independent – help will be much more cost-effective in the long run than taking on second-rate people at inflated salaries,” says Hofer.

The industry’s leading recruitment experts offered this advice to those looking for new employment in 2010...

Be aware of the changes in the jobs market over the last 18 months.

Be aware of joining companies that are not financially safe.

A strong CV is essential, preferably accompanied by a covering letter for every vacancy you apply for.

Speak to the experts and recruitment consultants, who can offer CV advice, salary guidance and market information.

Avoid agencies that don’t have the full details of a vacancy; they may not have permission to send your CV to the company that is hiring.

Make sure your CV is not being sent to companies without your express permission.

Ensure you weigh up all possible opportunities available to you, both with your current employers and elsewhere Show potential employers that you’ve researched their company, its history and it current situation at each stage of your application.

Ensure all aspects of your application are carefully targeted at the specific role, and show that you understand everything that the position requires.

New Year, New Opportunities... No Time, No Staff?

No Problem!

With 18 years games recruitment experience, specialist skill based consultants, unquestionable reputation for excellent service, and a worldwide candidate base with thousands of industry experienced professionals, we are the company you need to talk to when looking for new staff for your projects in 2010.

www.opmjobs.com Placing professional people in professional places.

OPM Response Ltd Tel: +44(0)1206 21 44 21 www.opmjobs.com

Sometimes everything isn’t as it seems. You see things other people don’t see. There’s opportunity everywhere you look. We get it. You’re passionate about gaming. As we’re recruiters specialising in the video games industry, you’ll soon discover that gaming is our passion too.

Some people are happy to sit around waiting for their next career opportunity, but often they’re waiting a long time. Because some of the top roles are never even advertised.

We have the best gaming jobs waiting for you right now. We help a host of big name developers and publishers to secure the biggest talents for their teams – all the way to the top, for everything from creatives to HR to Finance.

So no matter what stage you’re at in your career or what your discipline is, don’t just sit there. Why not talk to us about where we can take you next? Email us at games.team@amiqus.com or visit amiqus.com/games

GAMES

We know your world

Gaming. It gets to you.

00001159_Abbey Road_MCV.indd 1

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TRADE UPDATE

A new decade, a new era

ELSPA NEWS

ELSPA’s director general Michael Rawlinson toasts another successful year for games, and discusses the key issues the trade body and its members will face over the next year...

WOW! WHAT an end to a year and a decade. Four industry luminaries were awarded honours in the New Year Honours list: Rod Cousens, Paul and Oliver Collyer and my predecessor, Paul Jackson. Congratulations to them all for the welldeserved recognition for their outstanding contribution to our industry.

Modern Warfare 2 tops Amazon’s best seller list for 2009, the highest selling product ever in any one year, while the only music entry is SuBo coming in at Number 10. What better proof do we need that the games industry has come of age? Through the Apple iPhone, gaming on a mobile device became a much simpler experience, and players responded in record

numbers. I’m sure this is all just the beginning.

I have enjoyed MCV’s Review of the Decade as it bought back so many happy memories and showed just how far we have all come in what is really a comparatively short space of time.

So what lies ahead? It is clear that things are changing rapidly and that the world of video games is being transformed at a record pace.

“

industry when it unites with us in a campaign. We want to make 2010 the year when we identify the next challenges to tackle and, once again, have the industry join with us for a common cause.

These will doubtless fall into the following broad categories: the business and trading environment, skills and education, IP protection, regulatory standards and corporate social responsibility

This year we’ll look to identify the next challenges to tackle and have the industry join with us for a common cause.

Michael Rawlinson, ELSPA

Boxed products have been joined by online games and digital downloads, and the experience is no longer merely about playing games but is experiential, social, networked and much more about a shared experience with others than just playing solo.

These new ways of offering gaming to the ever-broadening consumer demographic, via new platforms and hardware, allows new businesses to enter the market. The challenge for us, the trade association, is to see how we need to adapt and develop to the changing marketplace and ensure that we respond accordingly.

We have already demonstrated that we can achieve positive results for the

”

and, of course, events and networking.

We are excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. To tackle them effectively means we need to have the right structure and resources in place to attract the broad range and growing number of businesses operating in our industry. We will continue to monitor and adapt our business as the demands of the industry dictate in a measured and planned way so that we are ready.

As you make your business plans for this New Year I hope you will think about how being part of ELSPA can support your business, and if you are not already a member, please do give me a call.

GOVERNMENT: The UK Government has addressed fears that the Digital Economy Bill will not be passed before the election.

The Bill, which looks at age ratings, broadband and illegal file-sharing, has yet to go before the House of Commons. And there are just 35 days left in which the legislation can be addressed.

Certain parts of the Digital Economy Bill are hotly contested, including parts that deal with file-sharing.

However, political figures including Keith Vaz, Don Foster and Siôn Simon, believe that parts of the Bill could be fast-tracked through Parliament – particulary making the PEGI ratings system enforceable by law.

SKILLSET: Three new members have joined Skillset’s Computer Games Skills Council: Ubisoft Reflections GM Giselle Stewart, Bizarre studio art director Neil Thompson and ex-SCE WWS London Studio honcho Jamie MacDonald.

Already part of the council are Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard, who joined in April 2009, and representatives from Eidos, Frontier, Activision, Blitz, Microsoft, Tiga and ELSPA. UK CHARTS: UK developer Sports Interactive was triumphant in the Christmas charts, with Football Manager 2010 claiming the No.1 spot in the PC ELSPA/Gfk-ChartTrack Top 20. Activision’s Modern Warfare 2 was the All Formats Christmas No.1, and the game is already the third biggest selling game in the UK of all time – and is catching up with both GTA: San Andreas and Brain Training.

THE QUEEN: Codemasters CEO Rod Cousens, former EA and ELSPA boss Paul Jackson and Sports Interactive founders Oliver and Paul Collyer have all been named in the The Queen’s New Year Honours list.

Cousens has been granted a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) title, Jackson has been given an Officer of the Order of the British Empire title (OBE) and the Collyers made Members of the British Empire (MBE).

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MCV 15/01/10 23

TRADE UPDATE

The One-der

years

FULL LIST OF MEMBERS 505 Games Activision Blizzard Avanquest Software CD Team CDV Software Capcom CentreSoft Codemasters

Ubisoft MD Rob Cooper takes a look at the challenges the UK industry faces over the next decade from a publisher’s point-of-view...

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THERE WILL be many challenges facing the country’s games industry as the first years of the new decade start to unfold. One thing is for sure, these will be important times as our business fully comes of age, matures and continues to give the longer-established entertainment industries a real run for their money.

Such a rise, though, also brings risks and we need to work together to offset the greatest of them and ensure solid stability and growth.

Ubisoft has been a member of ELSPA for more than a decade and over the years we have both been evolving for the best. Initially, we joined the association just as a games publisher operating in the UK and arguably one of the most useful benefits at first was the regular sales information sent out to members that allowed us to spot trends and opportunities.

Today, however, there is so much more we want – and expect – from the association.

It’s important that the industry is properly represented at Government level, not only to fight our corner on important matters such as game rating issues, but also to look at R&D credits, the opportunities to talk about tax breaks and so on. And we need ongoing campaigns to encourage the right graduates and skilled talent into the industry to ensure we stay, excuse the pun, ahead of the game.

It is also vital that the industry as a whole raises its

profile and courts good coverage in the press – something for which individual publishers and developers rarely have the budget or inclination.

The One-ders, as I have heard some refer to this next decade, will certainly see ever-more ambitious games projects taking off as layers of detail are added to some top end productions. Where once fuzzy pixels danced around on the screen, now we expect everything from the visuals

“

ways to delicately balance the risk of creating bold new IPs against established franchises – it is something Ubisoft has so far managed pretty well.

Whilst we are always looking for fresh, new ideas to bring to market, we do not dismiss the value of our older and much-loved IP. Assassin’s Creed is an exceptional game that hardcore gamers adored and newcomers to the world of gaming drooled over for its rich detail and strong narrative.

Both sectors of the public

Across the continent all eyes were on the UK in 2009 and the decision we make on game ratings.

Rob Cooper, Ubisoft

and sound effects to the dialogue of our characters – along with the emotions they can portray – to be more finely tuned. All of these touches increase the studio costs exponentially so we will all be looking at ways to trim them when we can.

But there is no point spending more on our products if the profit margins evaporate to a trickle or the prices that the public have to pay for our wares become horrifically high.

Ensuring a healthy return for publisher investment, particularly in such tough economic times as these, will remain a priority for our industry as we race through 2010. Smart publishers will also ensure they have found

across Europe and beyond, so too have we evolved our methods at Ubisoft to help parents make the right game choices for their children.

As an industry it is important that we can come together via our local trade bodies to ensure that we are all committed to the process of getting games properly rated.

Clarity is the key and we must ensure that consumers understand the content of a game and any inappropriate risks they might pose to underage players.

For us a simple and streamlined process in order for publishers to rate their games and then promote them with confidence is what is needed and we hope that the first big industry news of 2010 will be the government’s introduction in UK law of the PEGI rating system solely for games.

Across the continent all eyes were on the UK in 2009 and the decision we make for rating games going forward.

We lead, others follow!

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” <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

wanted more and we delivered with an exceptional sequel.

In just the time AC I and II came along, so too did more new IPs such as Just Dance, which has been incredibly successful for us. Ubisoft is on its way to realising its strategy of becoming an established broad entertainment company and to do this we are experimenting and investing in such brand extensions as movies, books and toys.

Ubisoft also has a strict code for marketing and developing games for appropriate audiences and here our path will follow that of ELSPA in the coming years.

Just as PEGI has evolved to become a better standard for rating games, and one working

THQ International Take Two

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MCV INTERVIEW MARY BIHR, VP OF GLOBAL PUBLISHING, LUCASARTS

The Force is strong LucasArts already reckons it will be offering one of the big releases of 2010 in its Force Unleashed sequel.

Michael French speaks to the firm’s global publishing VP Mary Bihr to find out more…

Can you sum up the LucasArts strategy for the boxed products (released via Activision in Europe) in the last 12 to 18 months?

Our strategy is to continue our distribution agreement with Activision in order to maximize sales across Europe. They have a long history with us, dedicated LucasArts resources to support us, and a track record that speaks for itself.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed released with record sales and over six million copies sold to date. We also had record numbers with LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures worldwide and remained in the Top 10 charts for weeks after release. The sequel, LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues just shipped in mid-November worldwide and is also doing extremely well. We’ve had a great 2009 and look forward to 2010, especially with The Force Unleashed 2 which promises to be the next massive Star Wars experience on consoles.

have been on the shelves for two, three, even four years. There’s still strong demand for these licensed games. As for recent releases, LEGO Indiana Jones 2 has already been a huge success for us.

TT Games did a fantastic job making this the most immersive LEGO game released to date. We’re very pleased by its performance across Europe.

Has that strategy changed in any way in that time?

No, not really. While our global distribution strategy has expanded through our internet offerings, Monkey Island: Special Edition, and a complement of games offered though online partnerships, our retail offerings have always been distributed through Activision.

Recently, they have added additional dedicated resources which allow us to work even more closely with them across the various territories.

It must be both a blessing and a curse to work on a powerful brands like Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

What does LucasArts do to keep them fresh for their regular use in the games market?

Everyone at Lucas is a Star Wars and Indiana Jones fan. It’s in our blood to

Clone Wars is a popular toy and entertainment brand – do you feel you have fully taken advantage of its popularity in games?

Clone Wars is a huge initiative for Lucasfilm across all companies. It remains the No.1 toy brand for boys ages six to 11.

It’s a growing franchise which includes the TV show, toys, comic books and of course video games. I believe we’ve had a good running start for the first two seasons, and will continue to look for opportunities in the future to improve upon what’s already been built as a cross-merchandise consumer experience.

Along with The Force Unleashed 2, Bihr is working on several unannounced projects based on classic LucasArts properties.

collaborate and grow these experiences for fans to love for years to come.

Is there ever a danger that people overlook We’ve been challenged by the those brands because recession, with a slowdown in they are already so sales across some titles but a familiar with them? big increase in others.

I don’t think so. Both brands are so story driven.

Mary Bihr, LucasArts The older fans feel a sense innovate and create new stories within of nostalgia when they see both brands Are you pleased with the response these beloved brands and we’re always while the younger audiences have a to the LucasArts games released looking to hire best in class talent to sense of curiosity to find out more. this Q4? Which is the standout title? help us expand this rich heritage.

There is so much story to tell within the We, similar to many other publishers, At LucasArts, our challenge is to Star Wars universe alone. have been challenged by the current make sure we keep the stories true to We are challenged daily to find new economic climate. We’ve seen a the brand while also expanding in ways to keep these experiences fresh slowdown in sales velocity across some but at the end of the day, the thing that creative and interesting ways. Having all titles, but a commensurate increase in what makes us motivated is giving the the Lucas companies under one roof others – sometimes with games that fans what they want. gives us the ultimate resources to

“

”

You’ve effectively given new life to older LEGO Indy and The Force Unleashed releases with their new iterations in 2009 – is this a viable model for future games?

If it is the right game, definitely. This isn’t a strategy we would incorporate for every product, but we’ve had great success with both LEGO Indiana Jones and The Force Unleashed.

Both of these games have a strong following that want more content, so it made sense for us to continue the LEGO Indiana Jones experience with LEGO Indiana Jones 2 and expand the The Force Unleashed story with the Ultimate Sith Edition.

At the end of the day, we do not look at games for their individual contributions, but for their potential to expand into franchises. Stayed tuned for more on this.

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© 2002-2010 Take-Two Interactive Software and its subsidiaries. Developed by 2K Marin, 2K Australia, 2K China and Digital Extremes. BioShock, 2K Games, 2K Marin, 2K Australia, 2K China, the 2K Games logo, the 2K Marin logo, the 2K Australia logo, the 2K China logo and Take-Two Interactive Software are all trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Digital Extremes and its logo are trademarks of Digital Extremes. Microsoft, Windows, the Windows Vista Start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are tra demarks of the Microsoft group of companies, and “Games for Windows” and the Windows Vista Start button logo are used under license from Microsoft. “2”, “PlayStation”, “PS3”, “Ô and “À” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

9th February 2010 www.bioshock2game.com

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PERSONNEL

Take-Two snaps up retail veteran Dave Gould joins the publisher as its new UK sales director Imagine Publishing bolsters its editorial team TAKE-TWO DAVE GOULD has joined the ranks of Take-Two Interactive as UK sales director.

He boasts over 15 years of retail sales and marketing management in the entertainment industry. He previously served as head of sales at Eidos, as well as various positions at Vivendi Games, including sales director, commercial sales manager and national accounts manager.

Take-Two’s European sales director Matt Spencer said: “We’re pleased to welcome Dave on board. Take Two has

Gould will handle video games from both 2K and Rockstar

an extremely exciting year ahead with a plethora of triple-A titles from the 2K and Rockstar stables.

“Dave’s wealth of expertise and experiences in the UK market will be a real asset for Take-Two and the labels.”

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IMAGINE KEITH HENNESSEY (above left) will head up Imagine’s long-running Play Magazine as its new editor.

He previously spent time working on NowGamer.com.

Elsewhere in the company, NICK JONES (middle) has been appointed editor-in-chief of the online video games portfolio and the NowGamer Network.

Jones said: “I’ve worked in print publishing for nearly 13 years, and I’m excited by the opportunity of working in a different media.”

Finally, AARON ASADI has been named editor-in-chief for Play and PowerStation, while RICK PORTER (right) has the same position for 360, gamesTM, X360 and Retro Gamer.

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RETAILBIZ RECOMMENDED GAMES PRICE CHECK CHARTS NEW RELEASES

STAR TREK ONLINE P32 The revival of the Star Trek brand continues with the launch of Cryptic’s new MMO JIG-A-PIX P33 Zushi prepares to launch a range of picturebased puzzle games that makes full use of the DSi camera

LOOK WHO’S BACK...

SILENT HILL: SHATTERED P34 The original Silent Hill storyline gets reimagined for Nintendo Wii

Aliens, Predators and Marines do battle once again in Sega and Rebellion’s new shooter P30

NEW RELEASES P35 We present the upcoming releases due to hit retail over the next two months

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RETAILBIZ: ALIENS VS PREDATOR 30 MCV 15/01/10

WWW.MCVUK.COM

Two of the greatest sci-fi creatures ever devised come into their own in Sega’s highly anticipated FPS

Rubbery Hollywood extra-terrestrials clash once again as three species go to war...

by James Batchelor

as one of the best multiplayer experiences ever, so we naturally have high expectations for the title to perform well.

“This is our triple-A presidential title for the quarter and our current total of eight front covers is testament to the strength and appeal of the brand.”

IT MAY BE a rarity, but some movie licences hold as much prestige with gamers as they do with film buffs, and Aliens vs Predator holds a well-deserved place on that list.

The original PC game is one of the most fondly We are extremely confident remembered titles of its that Aliens vs Predator will time and now the creative be well recieved by retailers minds behind it take up and consumers. arms again as Aliens, Predators and humans Ben Walker, Sega battle once more.

“This is a licence based on some of Set in the jungles and swamps the most iconic characters in film and a surrounding the troubled colony of billion dollar franchise,” says product Freya’s Prospect, players have three manager Ben Walker. single-player campaigns to choose from: “The game franchise has a long and one for each species. All are played from rich history – the original PC release, a first-person perspective but each will also by Rebellion, is still widely regarded have different weaponry and skills.

“

The human campaign represents the standard FPS with a claustrophobic atmosphere reminiscent of the films.

Gamers get to wield high explosives and state-of-the-art weaponry as the marines do all they can to survive the battle between the other two species.

Playing as a predator, the game takes a much more strategic tone, encouraging gamers to stalk and ambush their foes as the dreadlocked creatures usually do.

Playing as an Alien, meanwhile, allows them to unleash the full power of a creature that has been chilling spines since Ridley Scott first brought it to screens.

With the three unique campaigns already setting it apart from the usual FPS fare, the multiplayer also serves as a key selling point, throwing all three

”

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MCV 15/01/10 31

SEGA’S BATTLEPLAN Aliens vs Predator will be inescapable as Sega launches a full assault on retail to entice fans and newcomers in the run-up to the game's release.

factions are thrown into the mix. Players will have to master their chosen species’ strengths in order to best their online opponents and survive.

It’s a feature Walker is particularly proud of, confident that it will be a big hit with gamers.

“There’s a wealth of features which define and position Aliens vs Predator as a triple-A release and stand-out title within the FPS genre,” he says.

“The three-species campaign mode not only delivers a solid single player experience which is great value in its own right but also three very different and distinct styles of gameplay.

“Predator is a very tactical stealth approach, the Alien with its heightened feral senses gives a very ‘alien’ combat experience, whereas the Marine is a classic attritional FPS. These unique species’ characteristics come into their

own during multiplayer, which is a real breath of fresh air and an experience beyond that of other FPS releases.”

There will be a three-week TV campaign with ads appearing across a range of terrestrial and satellite channels, including a dedicated promotional weekend supported by Aliens vs Predator.

RELEASED: FEBRUARY 19 FORMATS: XBOX 360, PS3, PC PUBLISHER: SEGA DEVELOPER: REBELLION

CLASH OF THE TITANS

As a major release for Sega, Aliens vs Predator will benefit from an extensive marketing campaign designed to appeal to everyone from veteran players of the previous games and loyal fans of the films to complete newcomers that haven’t experienced the franchise (see Sega’s Battleplan).

Over the last twelve months, the publisher has been putting its full weight behind Aliens vs Predator, building it up to ensure that come February it gets the sales and recognition it deserves.

From regular prominent press coverage to ad campaign across a range of media, Sega has covered all bases and

PRICE: £29.99 - £49.99 DISTRIBUTOR: CENTRESOFT CONTACT: 0121 625 3388

the game has received a warm reception as a result.

“Our recent attendance at the Eurogamer Expo was a great barometer and we were delighted at being voted one of the top games at the show,” adds Walker. “We are extremely confident that the title will be well received by retail and consumers.

“Few games deliver such a unique multiplayer experience and value for money campaign mode so we fully expect both movie and gaming fans to be drawn to Alien vs Predator’s qualities.”

A two-month cinema campaign will see 30-second ads shown before leading blockbuster movies.

Online ads will target specialist and lifestyle websites, with high impact site takeovers and launch zones arranged for key destinations.

This will take a dual-phase approach, first promoting the demo and then the game's release.

A broad print campaign will see both ads and editorial appear in a range of specialist and lifestyle publications. This has been supported by an intensive 12-month PR campaign, which has secured eight front covers for the game.

Aliens Vs Predator was showcased at the Eurogamer Expo based around a multiplayer event exclusive to the UK, while both single and multiplayer modes were available to play at the SFX Weekender.

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RETAILBIZ: STAR TREK ONLINE 32 MCV 15/01/10

Sensors indicate Atari’s highly-anticipated Star Trek title approaching shelves as the publisher sets its marketing plans to maximum warp...

WWW.MCVUK.COM

by James Batchelor ALL ANTI-NERD jokes aside, last year’s box office smash proved that Star Trek is still one of the most beloved and lucrative licences in existence.

Fan loyalty goes far beyond that of more contemporary sci-fi shows, with millions craving to immerse themselves in Gene Roddenberry’s universe whenever they can.

Atari’s Star Trek Online caters to this, promising to fulfil the dreams of any aspiring Picard.

The Cryptic-developed MMORPG puts players in the captain’s chair of a fully customisable starship and lets them boldly go as often as they please.

They will find themselves leading away teams on alien worlds or battling with enemy ships – everything a Star Trek fan could want.

“The game gives players the chance to see if they have what it takes to develop and command their own craft, train their crew and make a real impact

“

in the Star Trek universe,” says UK product manager Lauren Bradley.

“This MMO is unique, not only because of the fantastic licence but also because it takes place both in space and on the ground.”

While so many MMORPGs are available to purchase both at retail and via digital distribution, Bradley tells MCV that the publisher has something a

Star Trek Online will be the only new product from the licence this year, so this is an excellent window for launch.

Lauren Bradley, Namco Bandai little special planned to coax fans away from their computers and into stores.

“For the UK, we will be releasing the Gold Edition, filled with both physical and exclusive in-game items,” she explains. “Star Trek fans spend an average of £250 per year so this will be a valued edition to their collection.

“This pack includes items developed from feedback we received from Trekkies

(or Trekkers). It includes collector’s edition packaging, a T-shirt, a universe map, a set of collector postcards, ingame DLC uniforms and a 30-day timecard. This will be the only SKU available at launch.”

To drive interest and grant the series’ followers a taste of what is to come, Star Trek Online has been given an extensive beta session in which players can get to grips with its features.

It has been more than successful and marks an important step in the game’s overall marketing.

“There are currently 30,000 people in the UK registered for the open beta this month,” says Bradley. “We expect this to continue to build over the next couple of months as the marketing is ramped up.

“Whilst we have a solid media campaign arranged within the specialist gaming press, we will also be heavily investing in the huge online Star Trek community to promote this release.

There is one thing that spreads quickly

”

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RETAILBIZ: STAR TREK ONLINE/JIG-A-PIX WWW.MCVUK.COM

MCV 15/01/10 33

Zushi Games expands its range of DSi-compatible puzzle titles...

by James Batchelor

RELEASED: FEBRUARY 5 FORMATS: DS/DSI

on the internet: news of anything Star Trek-related.”

As such, Namco Bandai is targeting the core audience of veteran Star Trek aficionados through online initiatives – perhaps the most notable of which being the ‘Tweet in Klingon’ app developed for social media such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace that drives people towards the beta.

Elsewhere, the publisher has been engaging with the Trek community by seeding competitions, trailers and news to Star Trek fansites. Email marketing has been sent to a database of avid followers, informing them of the Gold Edition and its contents.

Star Trek Online’s official site is also supporting retailers, with links to several key outlets and promotions for the exclusive pre-order DLC they offer.

The game was showcased at Eurogamer Expo and MCM Expo back in October and more appearances are planned for a range of sci-fi focused consumer events in the near future.

Finally, Namco Bandai has been working to raise awareness of Star Trek

RELEASED: FEBRUARY 5 FORMATS: PC

PUZZLE GAMES have always been popular on the DS thanks to its portable nature and intuitive stylus controls, and Zushi continues to capitalise on this with its innovative Jig-A-Pix series.

Now the series grows once more with the addition of Jig-A-Pix: Love Is..., the first licensed entry in the franchise, which arrives on shelves towards the beginning of next month – just in time for Valentine’s Day.

PUBLISHER: ATARI DEVELOPER: CRYPTIC

A MANY-SPLENDORED THEME

PRICE: £39.99

As with the initial wave of Jig-A-Pix titles, this new entry challenges players to solve a variety of puzzles to form an image using the stylus.

This time around, all of the images are based on the well-known Love Is... comic strip that first appeared in the

DISTRIBUTOR: NAMCO BANDAI CONTACT: 020 8222 9700

Online throughout the last year, with regular trailers and ‘behind the scenes’ videos released online, and revelations about iconic Trek stars lending their voice to the game, including Spocks young and old Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy.

With plenty of anticipation building within its target audience and little other activity from the franchise itself, the publisher is confident it will be able to dominate Trekkies’/Trekkers’ attentions when Star Trek Online hits shelves next month.

Says Bradley: “Star Trek Online will also be the only new entertainment product coming from the licence this year so with the renewed interest from the 2009 film, this is an excellent window to launch.”

“

PUBLISHER: ZUSHI DEVELOPER: FRAME PRICE: £24.99 DISTRIBUTOR: GEM CONTACT: 01279 822 800

preset puzzles that will take gamers a good while to master.

Jig-A-Pix: Love Is... also continues the series tradition of DSi functionality.

Gamers that own Nintendo’s cameratoting handheld will be able to take a picture of anything they want and instantly turn it into a challenging puzzle for them to complete.

“DSi functionality is central to the appeal of Jig-A-Pix,” says marketing executive Chris Walton.

“The ability to take a picture of anything and create any one of a variety

The ablility to take a picture of anything and create any one of a variety of puzzles from it is a first for the DSi. Chris Walton, Zushi

‘70s and has graced such merchandise as greeting cards, mugs and souvenirs.

Each image is one of the Love Is... strips which features two young naked characters and a phrase about the joys of romance in its various stages, from dating to married life.

There are more than 80 of these cartoons to find – specially commissioned for the game – forming a multitude of

”

of puzzles from it is not only a first for the format but also exactly what the game playing public is looking for in the new DSi Console.”

As it has done with previous Jig-A-Pix releases, Zushi will be supporting the Love Is... edition with a carefully targeted ad campaign designed to raise awareness of the game’s arrival among young girls and casual gamers.

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RETAILBIZ: SILENT HILL: SHATTERED MEMORIES 34 MCV 15/01/10

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Shattered Memories features the original Silent Hill storyline but with an all-new gameplay experience

Silent Hill makes its Wii debut with a re-imagining of the original and is set to mess with gamers’ heads...

by James Batchelor LIKE MANY entertainment industries, video gaming is one partially fueled by nostalgia. A new installment in any long-running franchise is inevitably compared to previous outings. Such comparisons are more than valid when the latest release is is a remake of one of its predecessors, as is the case with Konami’s Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.

Marking the first time the series has appeared on the Wii, the game is in fact a ‘reimagining’ of the original Silent Hill.

Combining the first game’s impact on gaming and the potential of the Wii’s unique control system has created a compelling product and one that Konami couldn’t be more excited about.

“The Silent Hill series is one of Konami’s many jewels in its crown, and

“

RELEASED: FEBRUARY 5 FORMATS: WII, PS2, PSP PUBLISHER: KONAMI DEVELOPER: CLIMAX PRICE: £19.99 - £39.99 DISTRIBUTOR: OPEN CONTACT: 020 8987 5706

Shattered Memories is by far the most important advance in the horror series to date,” says Konami product manager Martine Saunders.

“The Wii version is a truly immersive experience, as players scour the town and face a series of horrific situations without any weaponry.

Far from gimmicks, Saunders is keen to point out how these new additions make Shattered Memories more than a simple remake.

“The key to Shattered The review scores from the Memories is that it is a US version are universally game that changes high, and the opinion of the constantly,” she explains.

UK press is also positive.

“While the game shares certain plot Martine Saunders, Konami similarities with the original PSone title, this is an incredible “All the usual shocks and scares that new take on the series. make the series so special are back with “The game is constantly monitoring a vengeance, and Silent Hill: Shattered the way the user plays the game and Memories has already been called the responds to situations, and the game best addition to the series since Silent duly adapts to their decisions. This Hill 3.” psyche profiling means that characters REBIRTH OF A CLASSIC and situations will differ depending on Of course, simply polishing the original how the user reacts. and adding Wii controls would do no “Likewise, an in-game psychologist is justice to either the series or the used to garner additional information platform. Instead, Konami has added a from the player. This means that two variety of features, from new storylines people playing the game will not and gameplay elements to a experience the same game as each psychological profiling system that taps other, while other smaller differences into the gamer’s terror. will play out as the story continues.”

”

Given the importance of this title, Konami is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the game gets the recognition it deserves.

Extensive review coverage has been timed to coincide with the product’s launch, many of which echo the glowing and positive reception Shattered Memories received Stateside.

Konami’s marketing focus will be on retail, with a wide range of POS available in order to help give the game a strong in-store presence. The publisher is also in discussions with various movie partners about the possibility of crosspromotions with horror flicks and other similar franchises.

“Silent Hill is a strong series with excellent recognition,” adds Saunders.

“The review scores from the US version are universally high, and the groundswell of opinion from UK press is also unanimously positive.

“It is probably the most innovative Wii title to hit the format in ages, and has a level of polish and depth that are missing from many Wii releases.”

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RETAILBIZ: NEW RELEASES WWW.MCVUK.COM

MCV 15/01/10 35

Check out MCVUK.COM/RELEASE-DATES for more

Classic Disney returns to retail Q1 2010 is crammed full of promising core gaming experiences. However, there’s also a few gems for the more mainstream player out there – including the tie-in to Disney’s upcoming 2D animated blockbuster The Princess and The Frog TITLE

FORMAT

GENRE

PUBLISHER

TELEPHONE

DISTRIBUTOR

Wii PC / PS3 / XBOX 360 Wii

Simulation Action Survival Horror

City Interactive Capcom Capcom

0845 362 7769 0121 625 3388 0121 625 3388

Trilogy Centresoft Centresoft

PC DS / PC / Wii / PS3 PC PC PC PS3 XBOX 360 / PC Wii PC

Simulation Action/Adventure Strategy FPS Simulation FPS RPG/Action Fighting FPS

Just Flight Ubisoft Zushi Zushi Excalibur Publishing Sony EA Capcom cdv

0845 234 4242 01279 822 800 01279 822 800 01279 822 800 01869 338833 0121 625 3388 0121 625 3388 0121 625 3388 0845 234 4242

Mastertronic Gem/Trilogy Gem Gem Open Centresoft Centresoft Centresoft Mastertronic

PSP / DS / Wii / PS2 / XBOX 360 DS / Wii PSP / PS3 / XBOX 360 PSP Wii PC Wii PC PSP / DS / PC DS PSP / DS / PS3 / XBOX 360 PC PC PSP / Wii / PS2 PC DS / Wii PC DS / PC PC

Action/Adventure Action Action RPG Simulation Strategy RPG/Action Simulation Strategy Casual Racing Casual Casual Survival Horror MMORPG Action/Adventure Casual Casual Simulation

D3Publisher Zushi EA Tecmo Koei Nintendo Excalibur Publishing Square Enix First Class Simulations Slitherine Zushi THQ S.A.D S.A.D Konami Atari Disney Interactive S.A.D S.A.D Excalibur Publishing

0208 222 9700 01279 822 800 0121 625 3388 01462 476 130 0870 027 0985 01869 338833 020 7324 5200 01869 338833 0870 027 0985 01279 822 800 0121 506 9585 01582 436043 01582 436043 0208 987 5706 0121 506 9585 0121 625 3388 01582 436043 01582 436043 01869 338833

Namco Bandai Gem Centresoft Open Koch Open Open Open Koch Gem Advantage PlayV PlayV Open Advantage Centresoft PlayV PlayV Open

PC / PS3 / XBOX 360

FPS

2K Games

01279 822 800

Gem

PSP PS3 / XBOX 360 DS PC DS PC DS DS PS3 PC

Adventure Fighting Action Simulation Music Casual/Adventure Puzzle/RPG RPG RPG Strategy

Zushi Zen United Sega Excalibur Publishing Disney Interactive Mamba Games Ubisoft Sega Square Enix Excalibur Publishing

01279 822800 0121 625 3388 0121 625 3388 01869 338 833 0121 625 3388 01273 202 220 01279 822 800 0121 625 3388 01462 476 130 01869 338833

Gem Centresoft Centresoft Open Centresoft Lace Gem/Trilogy Centresoft Open Open

DS PC / PS3 / 360 DS PC PS3 / XBOX 360 Wii

Mystery Action Adventure RPG Action Mini-games

Capcom Sega City Interactive Excalibur Publishing Tecmo Koei D3Publisher

0121 625 3388 0121 625 3388 0845 362 7769 01869 338833 01462 476 130 0208 222 9700

Centresoft Centresoft Trilogy Open Open Namco Bandai

JANUARY 22nd Combat Wings: The Great Battles Of World War II Dark Void Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil Zero

JANUARY 29th 767-200/300 Arthur And The Revenge Of Maltazard BC Kings Exodus From The Earth Forklift Truck Simulator MAG: Massive Action Game Mass Effect 2 Tatsunoko Vs Capcom Ultimate All Stars Serious Sam HD

FEBRUARY 5th Ben 10: Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks Chicken Blaster Dante's Inferno Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days Endless Ocean 2 Farewell to Dragons Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers Flight Deck 6 History Engineering an Empire Egypt Jig-a-Pix: Love is...

MX vs AV Reflex Mystery Cookbook Natalie Brooks: Secrets Of Treasure House Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Star Trek Online The Princess and The Frog The Treasures Of Mystery Island Titanic Mystery UK Truck Simulator

FEBRUARY 9th BioShock 2

FEBRUARY 12th Adventures To Go BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Bleach: The Third Phantom Driving Simulator Jonas Memento Mori Might And Magic: Clash Of Heroes Phantasy Star Zero Star Ocean: The Last Hope International Theatre Of War: Afrika Corps

FEBRUARY 19th Ace Attorney: Miles Edgeworth Investigates Aliens vs Predator Art Of Murder Blood Of Europe Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce Family Party: Winter Fun

MUSTSTOCK .......THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG Released: February 5th Format: DS, Wii Publisher: Disney Distributor: Centresoft Contact: 0121 625 3388

The Disney of old returns this month with the 2D animated adventure, The Princess and The Frog. And the publisher is preparing a tie-in video game to launch alongside it for Nintendo DS and Wii. Expect Disney fans and younger gamers to go crazy for the title come launch.

MUSTSTOCK .................................BIOSHOCK 2 Released: February 9th Format: PC, PS3, 360 Publisher: 2K Games Distributor: Gem Contact: 01279 822 800

Hype is reaching fever pitch for 2K’s triple-A first person shooter, BioShock 2. The first game remains one of this generation’s defining new releases, and expectations are naturally high for its follow-up, which includes an all-new multiplayer mode.

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RETAILBIZ: HIGH STREET 36 MCV 15/01/10

WWW.MCVUK.COM

Sponsored by

POLL DO YOU FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS IN 2010?

REVIEW SCORES MCV provides the most important average review scores of the last few days – all sourced from Metacritic...

89%

Yes

53%

Bayonetta PS3 Sega

No

28% Not Sure

19%

85%

77%

Darksiders 360 THQ

Silent Hill: Memories Wii Konami

77%

66%

Phantasy Star Zero DS Sega

FF: Crystal Bearers Wii Square Enix

A little over half of the participants in the latest MCV online survey enter the year with some level of optimism, expressing the confidence in the health of their businesses over the next twelve months.

It’s a far cry from the 91 per cent that said ‘yes’ to the same question in our

INDIE CHARTS - ALL FORMATS 2

THIS WEEK

LAST WEEK

1

3

4

TITLE/FORMAT

5

PUBLISHER

WII FIT PLUS FORMAT: Wii

The speaker systems are stylish space savers and still offer clear sound quality

DEVELOPER: NINTENDO PUBLISHER: NINTENDO

2

1

COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 360

3

RE

4

6

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII Wii

5

7

COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 PS3

6

RE

FIFA 10 360

7

4

ASSASSIN’S CREED II 360

8

RE

MARIO KART WII Wii

COMMAND & CONQUER: RED ALERT 3 PC

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD EA NINTENDO

8

LEFT 4 DEAD 2 360

5

ASSASSIN’S CREED II PS3

DEAL OF THE WEEK

UBISOFT NINTENDO

9

The XPS 2.0 40 Slim, the latest speaker set from gadget specialists Hercules, offers both premium sound quality and the slimmest speaker package available.

Designed to fit in with today’s minimalist desktops, it can produce crystal clear sound from any PC, laptop or even TVs and consoles.

The 2.0 system features two slender satellite speakers, while the XPS 2.1 40 Slim combines them with a powerful subwoofer for stronger bass and greater output. Both come with a compact remote control, headphone jack and a line-in input, meaning they can even be used with iPods and MP3 players.

Guillemot: 01932 557546

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD EA

10

Take part in MCV’s next poll at www.mcvuk.com

MARGIN MAKER

*Metacritic scores correct at the time of going to press

1

annual Retail Survey last month but still positive nonetheless. Only 28 per cent have a bleaker outlook on the coming year, with the rest undecided.

EA UBISOFT

Charts compiled by Game Guide/Complete EPOS Solutions. For more information about Complete EPOS Solutions call 01543 370002. For more information about the Game Guide call 01606 836347.

Zavvi customers save £70 when they buy the Professor Layton DS Lite bundle with Ben 10: Alien Force, Marvel Super Hero Squad and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team for £159.95.

36,37 MCV570_final

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RETAILBIZ: HIGH STREET WWW.MCVUK.COM

MCV 15/01/10 37 Sponsored by

PRICE CHECK [PRE ORDERS] James Cameron’s Avatar PS3, Ubisoft

Borderlands 360, 2K Games

Rabbids Go Home Wii, Ubisoft

TOP 10

Halo 3: ODST 360, Micorosft

Planet 51: The Game Wii, Sega

£29.98

£24.98

£29.99

£37.99

£29.99

£25.00

£34.99

£39.99

£34.99

£34.99

2. HEAVY RAIN: THE ORIGAMI KILLER

£43.99

£34.49

£29.39

£38.99

N/A

5. GOD OF WAR III

£24.98

£27.98

£14.98

£24.98

£14.98

4. MASS EFFECT 2

FINAL FANTASY XII

IN STORE: MAIDSTONE

PS3 SQUARE ENIX PS3 ......................................................................SONY PS3 ......................................................................SONY 360 ..........................................................................EA

5. MAG COLLECTORS EDITION

PS3 ......................................................................SONY

6. SPLINTER CELL: CONVICTION

ONLINE

360 ..................................................................UBISOFT

£24.99

£34.99

£29.99

£33.00

£14.95

£24.98

£18.98

£17.98

£34.99

£15.98

£22.99

£19.98

£18.98

£41.89

£16.98

£29.95

£22.95

£24.85

£24.85

£17.65

7. DANTE’S INFERNO

PS3 ..........................................................................EA

8. BIOSHOCK 2

360 ................................................................2K GAMES

9. MAG COLLECTORS EDITION

PS3 ......................................................................SONY

10. ALIENS VS PREDATOR

360 ......................................................................SEGA Week ending January 8th Source: SHOPTO.COM

FROM THE FRONTLINE This week’s frontline interviewee is N1 Games’ Sam Seamann…

[PRE ORDERS]

TOP 10

What were your Christmas sales like?

They’ve been good so far. The usual hits have been selling well, such as Modern Warfare 2 and Assassin’s Creed II. We’ve also seen big demand recently on DSi and even the DS Lite.

Has the handheld market been performing well, then?

Absolutely, particularly towards the end of last year. I’m not sure if it will see a big improvement this year – it depends what games come out.

It might pick up in the summer as usual because people go on holiday. Last year, it was a little slow all year round but it really started to peak at Christmas.

Do you feel you’re set up well for a prosperous 2010?

Well, It’s early stages yet but after everything we went through in 2009, I think we can do it.

I don’t think there are going to be many major new challenges to overcome.

We’ve seen High Street stores in our area

MASS EFFECT 2 360 EA

2. MASS EFFECT 2

PC ............................................................................EA

3. BIOSHOCK 2: SPECIAL EDITION

PC ........................................................................SEGA

Seamann is confident N1 Games will still be around for years to come

shut down in the last year and yet we’re still here, so we must be doing something right.

4. FINAL FANTASY XIII

PS3 ............................................................SQUARE ENIX

5. GRAN TURISMO 5

PS3 ......................................................................SONY

“We’ve seen High Street stores in our area shut down, and yet we’re still here.”

What are you most looking forward to this year?

I want to see better prices – particularly trade prices. We have to work hard to price match the High Street if a game is going for £40, for example.

Not only do we have to make sure we can offer a similar price, we’ve also got to find a way of attracting customers that don’t immediately come to us.

6. STAR TREK ONLINE

PC ........................................................................ATARI

7. MAG

PS3 ......................................................................SONY

8. SPLINTER CELL: CONVICTION

360 ..................................................................UBISOFT

9. ALIEN VS PREDATOR

360 ......................................................................SEGA

10. GOD OF WAR 3

PS3 ......................................................................SONY Week ending January 8th Source: PLAY.CO.UK

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RETAILBIZ: RETAIL CHARTS 38 MCV 15/01/10

WWW.MCVUK.COM

Check out RETAILBIZ at WWW.MCVUK.COM

OFFICIALUKCHARTS NINTENDO DS THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

[1] [FULL PRICE]

TITLE

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

MARIO & SONIC: WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES SEGA DR KAWASHIMA’S BRAIN TRAINING NINTENDO PROFESSOR LAYTON: PANDORA’S BOX NINTENDO MARIO KART DS NINTENDO NINTENDO: CROSSWORD COLLECTION NINTENDO PROFESSOR LAYTON: CURIOUS VILLAGE NINTENDO ZELDA: SPIRIT TRACKS NINTENDO MORE BRAIN TRAINING NINTENDO COOKING MAMA 3 505 GAMES

1 3 4 5 11 9 6 13 12

DEVELOPER: NINTENDO PUBLISHER: NINTENDO

PLAYSTATION 2 THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

TITLE

PUBLISHER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010 KONAMI TRANSFORMERS: FALLEN ACTIVISION BLIZZARD COD: WORLD AT WAR ACTIVISION BLIZZARD WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2010 THQ HARRY POTTER: HALF-BLOOD PRINCE EA SINGSTAR MOTOWN SONY DISNEY SING IT: POP HITS DISNEY GUITAR HERO 5 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD NEED FOR SPEED: UNDERGROUND EA

PSP THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

TITLE

2 3 4 5

2 6 3 4

FIFA 10 GRAN TURISMO GTA: CHINATOWN WARS ASSASSIN’S CREED: BLOODLINES

6 7 8 9 10

9 5

COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 FORMAT: 360, PS3, PC

LAST WEEK

2

5

WII FIT PLUS Wii

3

7

JUST DANCE Wii

4

4

WII SPORTS RESORT Wii

5

NEW

BAYONETTA 360, PS3

6

6

FIFA 10 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, DS, PC, PSP

7

2

ASSASSIN’S CREED II 360, PS3

8

NEW

[4]

TITLE

NINTENDO UBISOFT NINTENDO SEGA EA UBISOFT THQ

9

8

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII Wii

10

10

JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PSP, PC UBISOFT

11

3

MARIO & SONIC: OLYMPIC WINTER Wii

12

9

MARIO KART WII Wii

NINTENDO

SEGA NINTENDO

13

11

FORZA MOTORSPORT 3 360

14

13

COD 4: MODERN WARFARE 360, PS3, PC, Wii ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

15

16

BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM 360, PS3, PC

16

12

NEED FOR SPEED: SHIFT 360, PS3, PSP, PC

MICROSOFT

WARNER BROS. EA

17

15

UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES PS3

18

18

GTA: EPISODES FROM LIBERTY CITY 360

19

19

PES 2010 360, PS3, PC

20

17

WII PLAY Wii

THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

[5]

DEVELOPER: SCE CAMBRIDGE STUDIOS PUBLISHER: SONY

PUBLISHER

DARKSIDERS 360, PS3

PC CD-ROM PUBLISHER

DEVELOPER: INFINITY WARD PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION

THIS WEEK

[3]

[FULL PRICE]

LITTLEBIGPLANET

7 8

1

DEVELOPER: EA CANADA PUBLISHER: EA

1 NEW

[2]

[FULL PRICE]

FIFA 10

4 3 2 6 7 5 8 13 9

TOP 40ALL

PUBLISHER

1

[ENTERTAINMENT - ALL PRICES]

1

SONY ROCKSTAR KONAMI NINTENDO

[FULL PRICE]

TITLE

PUBLISHER

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2010 DEVELOPER: SPORTS INTERACTIVE PUBLISHER: SEGA

EA

2

2

THE SIMS 3

SONY

3

3

THE SIMS 3: WORLD ADVENTURES

ROCKSTAR

4

4

COD: MODERN WARFARE 2

UBISOFT

5

8

EMPIRE: TOTAL WAR

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2010 SEGA STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT: SQUADRON LUCASARTS JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR: THE GAME UBISOFT PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010 KONAMI F1 2009 CODEMASTERS

6

9

WOW: WRATH OF LICH KING

7

6

DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS

8

5

LEFT 4 DEAD 2

EA

9

10

BORDERLANDS

2K GAMES

10

13

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV

ROCKSTAR

EA EA ACTIVISION BLIZZARD SEGA ACTIVISION BLIZZARD EA

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RETAILBIZ: RETAIL CHARTS WWW.MCVUK.COM

MCV 15/01/10 39

CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2 achieves a

respectably, with both titles achieving positions in

ninth week in the top spot, despite suffering a

the Top 10. Bayonetta took fifth while Darksiders

further 41 per cent decline in sales since last week.

debuted in eighth marking a strong start to the

title ever in the UK – yet to outsell the original Brain

Training, which is the biggest seller of all time, and GTA: San Andreas.

The first new entries of the year – Sega’s Bayonetta and THQ’s Darksiders – performed

PS3

L FORMATS

THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

Highest New Entry

21

21

LEGO BATMAN PC, DS, PS3, 360, Wii, PSP

22

24

WWE SMACKDOWN 2010 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PS2, PSP

23

22

BORDERLANDS 360, PS3, PC

24

33

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2010 PC

25

14

LEFT 4 DEAD 2 360, PC

26

31

PEPPA PIG: THE GAME Wii, DS

27

29

COLIN MCRAE: DIRT 2 360, PS3, Wii, PSP, DS

28

25

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV 360, PS3, PC

29

20

TEKKEN 6 360, PS3

30

23

31

RE

32

36

UP 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PC, DS, PSP

33

28

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. DS

WARNER BROS THQ 2K GAMES SEGA

P2 GAMES/UBISOFT

ROCKSTAR

THE SABOTEUR 360, PS3, PC

EA EA THQ NINTENDO

34

32

OPERATION FLASHPOINT 2 360, PS3, PC

RE

DR KAWASHIMA’S BRAIN TRAINING DS

36

27

COD: WORLD AT WAR 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PC, DS, PSP ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

37

RE

MONOPOLY 360, PS3, Wii, PS2

CODEMASTERS NINTENDO

EA

38

RE

36

39

LEGO INDIANA JONES 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PC, DS, PSP

YOUR SHAPE Wii

40

RE

TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 10 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP

UBISOFT LUCASARTS EA

TITLE

PUBLISHER

1

WOW: BATTLE CHEST

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

NEW

CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER 2010

3 4 2 7 8 6 9 5

COMMAND & CONQUER: FIRST DECADE

DEVELOPER: BLIZZARD PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD EIDOS EA CITY INTERACTIVE

ASSASSIN’S CREED

UBISOFT

MYSTERY IN LONDON: JACK THE RIPPER ROLLER COASTER TYCOON 3 MIDNIGHT MYSTERIES: EDGAR WOLFENSTEIN

James.Batchelor@intentmedia.co.uk

[FULL PRICE] TITLE

PUBLISHER

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES BAYONETTA ASSASSIN’S CREED II DARKSIDERS FIFA 10 NEED FOR SPEED: SHIFT BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR THE SABOTEUR

3 NEW

2 NEW

5 4 7 6 10

DEVELOPER: INFINITY WARD PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD SONY SEGA UBISOFT THQ EA EA EIDOS UBISOFT EA

[FULL PRICE] TITLE

FOCUS

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD MASTERTRONIC GSP/AVANQUEST ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

PUBLISHER

1

WII SPORTS RESORT

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII NINTENDO MARIO KART WII NINTENDO MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES SEGA YOUR SHAPE UBISOFT RABBIDS GO HOME UBISOFT F1 2009 CODEMASTERS COD 4: MODERN WARFARE ACTIVISION BLIZZARD JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR UBISOFT RESIDENT EVIL: THE DARKSIDE CHRONICLES CAPCOM

2 4 3 28 6 5 7 9 20

DEVELOPER: NINTENDO PUBLISHER: NINTENDO

XBOX 360

[BUDGET PRICE]

WORLD OF WARCRAFT

Nintendo’s Wii Fit Plus rises three places.

COD: MODERN WARFARE 2

THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

NAMCO BANDAI

SNIPER: ART OF VICTORY

No.3. The game misses out on second place as

1

WII

CODEMASTERS

35

THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

Ubisoft’s surprise hitJust Dance continues to climb, now in its best chart position so far at

EA

THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND 360, PS3, Wii, PS2

PC CD-ROM

year for new IPs.

THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

[FULL PRICE]

TITLE

1

COD: MODERN WARFARE 2

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

BAYONETTA FORZA MOTORSPORT 3 DARKSIDERS ASSASSIN’S CREED II GTA: EPISODES FROM LIBERTY CITY FIFA 10 JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR LEFT 4 DEAD 2 BORDERLANDS

NEW

3 NEW

2 5 6 7 4 9

(c) ELSPA, Compiled by ChartTrack

The game is currently the third biggest selling

WEEK ENDING 09/01/10

PUBLISHER

DEVELOPER: INFINITY WARD PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD SEGA MICROSOFT THQ UBISOFT ROCKSTAR EA UBISOFT EA 2K GAMES

[SOURCE]

[ANALYSIS]

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INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION 40 MCV 15/01/10

WWW.MCVUK.COM

International Distribution Guide AUSTRALIA

FRANCE

ISRAEL

SINGAPORE

All Interactive.................Helensvale Town Centre

EMC GROUPE CASINO..........Croissy Beaubourg

Hed-Arzi......................................................Or-Yehuda

Replay Interactive....................................Singapore

AUSTRIA

ITALY

SOUTH AFRICA

Koch Media GmbH...............................Rottenmann

Cidiverte Spa ...............................................Gallarate

Midigital ..............................................Johannesburg

Play Art Multimedia Handels GmbH....Rankweil

Coop Italia..........................................Sesto F.NO (FI)

Nu Metro Interactive ......................Johannesburg

BELGIUM

INNELEC MULTIMEDIA

Digital Bros spa................................................Milano

45 rue Delizy,

Leader Spa.................................Gazzada Schianno

SPAIN

Horelec S.A. ...........................................Bruxelles

93692 PANTIN Cedex, France

Newave Italia...................................................Firenze

Ardistel. S.L..................................................Zaragoza

CLD Distribution S.A. .........................Fernelmont

Email purchase: f_alglave@innelec.com

Promovideo SRL ...........................................Senago

BENELUX

Email export sales: g_armspach@innelec.com Tel: 00.33.1.48.10.55.55

NETHERLANDS

Distribuciones Videográficas Digitales ....MADRID

Lamee Software S.L. .....................................Madrid

EBS-Benelux...........................................Bunschoten Gameworld BV............................Capelle A/D Ijssel

GAMEWORLD

SUPREME FACTORY

Cornusbaan 1, 2908 KB Capelle A/D IJssel

439 avenue de la Gare

Tel: +31 10 298 3838

84470 Chateauneuf de Gadagne

Web: rishi@gameworld.nl

Email : xavier@supremefactory.com Phone : 0033 432 751 165 Fax : 0033 432 751 160

EBS Benelux

GERMANY

Micromedia BV...........................................Nijmegen

PLANETA DEAGOSTINI INTERACTIVE

Favour Games..................................................Tilburg

Diagonal, 662-664, 3ª planta D, 08034,

Rigu Sound B.V................2153 GB Nieuw Vennep

NEW ZEALAND Gamewizz..........................................................Albany

DistribucionesVideográficas Digitales ....Madrid Distribuye Palmera................................Las Palmas

MPX.no .......................................................Sandefjord

JC Distribuciones .............................................Getxo

Platekompaniet....................................................Oslo

Shine Star, S.A...........................................Barcelona

Massemedia AS...........................................Notteroy

3752 LH Bunschoten-Spakenburg

Otto Group ...................................................Hamburg

Pan Vision Norway..............................................Oslo

The Netherlands

Playcom Software Vertriebs .......................Erfurt

Phone: +31 (0)33 201 21 00

Vitrex Multimedia Großhandel.....................Erfurt

Website: www.ebs-benelux.com

GREECE

www.planetadeagostini.net

Pan Vision Norway.....................................Trollasen

Groß Electronic .......................................Rohrnbach

Fax: +31 (0)33 201 21 01

distributioninteractive@planetadeagostini.es

NORWAY

Lorentzweg 1

E-mail: info@ebs-benelux.com

Barcelona, Spain, Tel: +34 93 492 08 89

POLAND

SWEDEN Bergsala AB............................................Kungsbacka

CD Projekt Sp. z o.o......................................Warsaw

Centric ...............................................................Athens Nortec Multimedia.........................................Athens

CYPRUS Gibareio.............................................................Nicosia

Zegetron S.A....................................................Athens

ul. Jana Szczyrki 12,

HUNGARY Antec .............................................................Budapest

GOODTONES GREAT GAMES LTD 1 Alkaiou Street / Office 1 /

ICELAND Sena ................................................................Reykavik

Engomi / Nicosia 2404 / Cyprus tel. +357 22 666612 www.greatgames.com.cy

DENMARK

TECHLAND Sp. z o.o.

INDIA

PO Box 5083

E-mail: business@techland.pl

S-650 05 Karlstad, Sweden

Web: www.techland.pl

Phone: +46 54 854750

Phone: +48 71 354 46 10

Fax: +46 54 854759

Fax: +48 71 354 46 10

E-mail: info@gameoutlet.se

PORTUGAL ecofilmes...............................Sao Joao Da Madeira

RUSSIA

ABC Software GmbH.......................................Buchs

SERBIA

ESTONIA Andrico ..............................................................Tallinn

FINLAND Panvision Oy.......................................................Turku

TURKEY ARAL Import..................................................Istanbul Nortec Eurasia...............................................Istanbul

UNITED STATES

+44 1279 408 665 (UK)

www.gatewaydistribution.dk

SIBA AB ...................................................Gothenburg

SWITZERLAND

Gateway Distribution ApS +45 7026 0870 (DK)

Panvision....................................................Stockholm

Noviy Disk .......................................................Moscow Vellod...................................................................Mitishi

dt@gatewaydistribution.dk

Website: www.gameoutlet.se

Hitzona.............................................................Moscow Soft Club..........................................................Moscow

GATEWAY DISTRIBUTION APS

GAME OUTLET EUROPE AB

54-426 Wroclaw, Poland

COMPUTERLAND DOO Kumodraska 45 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

BASCO, INC.

Tel:+381(0)11 309 95 95

VIDEO GAMES DISTRIBUTOR

Fax:+381(0)11 309 95 96

Tel: 1-917-627-3000

mail:games@computerland.rs

Fax: 1-718-228-4401

website:www.computerland.rs

Email: sales@bascodistribution.com Web: www.bascodistribution.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION GUIDE

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INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION WWW.MCVUK.COM

MCV 15/01/10 41

The International Distribution Guide is dedicated to promoting companies outside of the UK. If you are looking for new customers overseas, then look no further...

Twofour54’s Wayne Borg wants to make Middle East a major player in the games market

U.S. GAMES DISTRIBUTION, INC. 16700 Schoenborn St. #2 North Hills, CA. 91343 Tel: +1 818 920 9393 info@usgamesdist.com www.usgamesdist.com

UAE ALESAYI UNITED COMPANY Video Games Distributor in the Middle East P.O BOX 16999 Jebel Ali Free Zone Dubai U.A.E. Tel: 00971 4 883 5960 Fax: 00971 4 883 5175 E-Mail: marketing@alesayi.ae U.A.E. Website: www.alesayi.ae Group Website: www.alesayi.com

PLUTO GAMES PO Box 10705, Office 103-104 Emirates Islamic Bank Building, Dubai, UAE www.pluto-games.com Tel: +971 4261 8111 Fax: +971 4261 8112

Modern Pluto Trading LLC...............Saudi Arabia NXT Global LLC .................................................Dubai Pluto Derinton Games LLC............................Egypt Red Entertainment Distribution ..................Dubai

INTERNATIONAL PROFILE Abu Dhabi-based Twofour54 wants to grow the Middle East’s presence in the games industry. COO Wayne Borg tell us how the firm plans to do it....

TWOFOUR54 IS establishing a is about vocational training, as well facilities. It is great for film and media and content hub to service as teaching and re-skilling people in movie producers, but equally I think the broader Arabic, Middle East and the industry and getting their it is ideal for games companies too.

North African regions. technical ability to an international Between all of this, we feel we This territory represents about standard. We will also help graduates have the base that will allow the 320 million people, with about 60 and ready them for the work required. industry ecosystem to grow. per cent of those people under the There are 200 courses that make We are for organizations that age of 25. That age group is the sweet up the curriculum. And we’ll recognise the opportunity the region spot for entertainment represents. We are an expenditure. emerging market with We want to develop a skilled These regions haven’t a great level of workforce of game been well served by potential, and we will developers so we can publish quality content for the help firms facilitate their games for the Arabic world.

Arabic world. Twofour54 business plans.

Wayne Borg, Twofour54 is about building the We want to develop industry ecosystem, by a skilled workforce of making sure we have got the continue to develop that. We’re game developers so we can publish physical and intellectual about to set up an animation and games initially for the region. And infrastructure in place to support a gaming academy, too. we want to create a consumer growing industry. And this is across We also have something called market for great Arabic-based games. all platforms – be it film, TV, games, Twofour54 Ibtikar. Ibtikar’s role is The region represents incredible radio and music. We want to establish about developing entrepreneurs from growth opportunity. It is a territory a centre of excellence for Arabic the region, and getting them going that hasn’t been given the attention content for the people by the people. with their own content businesses. by international content companies We are concentrating on three key Finally, we are working on it deserves. The creative base we are pillars: Skills and Training, Innovation facilities. We have set up a studio establishing here in Abu Dhabi is a and Support, and Production. here called Twofour54 Intaj. It is a great environment that is supportive We’ve set up a training facility five studio complex and is fully of what they do, which is create called Twofour54 Tadreeb. Tadreeb equipped with state-of-the-art great content.

“

”

PLEASE CONTACT ROB.BAKER@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK

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TO ADVERTISE CONTACT ROB BAKER ON: 01992 535647 OR

DIRECTORY

DISTRIBUTION

KEY CONTACTS

DISC REPAIR TDR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01202 489 500

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DISCSTRIBUTION +44 (0) 845 430 8735 Call Kevin, Ashley, Richie or Pete Accepted Payments - Paypal - Google Checkout - Credit Cards - Bank Tranfers and 30 Day Credit Accounts

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GAMING ACCESSORIES Pinpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01606 558 428 LOCALISATION Partnertrans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01753 247731 Testronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01753 653 722 Universally Speaking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01480 210621

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or email: enquires@pinpointce.co.uk Road One, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 3QG www.pinpointce.co.uk Part of the Pinpoint Group

PINPOINT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01606 558428 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.pinpointce.co.uk DISTRIBUTION

STORE FITTINGS AMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01924 507217 Retail Entertainment Displays . . . . . . . 01733 239001 For further online advertising information please contact

Rob.Baker@intentmedia.co.uk or call

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MERONCOURT . . . . . . . . . . +44 (0) 1462 680060 . . . http://trade.meroncourt.co.uk

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ROB.BAKER@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK DISTRIBUTION

EDITORIAL PLANNER Some of the special issues coming up in MCV, the only trade publication that covers all sectors of the market...

FRIDAY JANUARY 22nd 2010

TERRITORY REPORT: BENELUX AND NORDIC We take another look at the gaming landscape of Holland, Belgium, Luxemborg, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. How have the past year’s events affected these nations? Are there any gaps in the market that present publisher and retailers with new opportunities? MCV investigates the state of play and potential of these diverse countries.

GENRE FOCUS: MMO The massively multiplayer online genre has got a big year ahead of it, with an array of new games inclduing Star Trek Online, Final Fantasy XIV, Star Wars: The Old Republic, APB, The Secret World and DC Universe Online all set for release within the next 12 months. MCV takes an in-depth look at the history of the MMO and what we can expect from its future.

FRIDAY JANUARY 29th

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION SECTOR GUIDE From Steam to Direct2Drive, we take a look at the key players in the ever-growing digital distribution space. We speak to these leading companies and gain an insight into where the sector is heading as it continues to establish its role in the future of gaming.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5th 2010

IN-GAME ADVERTISING Certain companies have been talking up the value of in-game advertising for years, but is the sector ever really going to take off? In MCV’s detailed analysis, we will investigate the sector, speak to the leading players in the market and discuss where the revenue stream is expected to flow in the future.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19th 2010

GAMES MEDIA FOCUS MCV analyses the latest statistics from the Audit Bureau of Circulation, looking at the highs and lows for the games media’s biggest players.

We speak to leading figures from the industry about any major developments, the challenges the sector faces, and their predictions for the rest of 2010.

FRIDAY FEBURARY 26th 2010

RUSSIAN TERRITORY REPORT Despite being one of the largest countries on the planet, Russia’s games industry is still in an ongoing state of development. In the latest of our Territory Reports, we speak to the major players in this region about how the games industry is driven and maintained, while also looking at the key problems these companies face.

GENRE FOCUS: RTS After a hefty line-up of real-time strategy titles hitting shelves in 2009, we look at what 2010 holds for the genre. We offer a glimpse of the hottest upcoming RTS games, including Command & Conquer 4, Napoleon: Total War, Starcraft 2 and Dawn Of War II: Chaos Rising, as well as speak to the publishers behind these titles. We also discuss the future ofhe genre and the challenges that face new strategy releases.

FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT: LOGIC 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01923 471000 . . . . . . . . . . . www.uksales@logic3.com

CHRIS.DRING@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK

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TO ADVERTISE CONTACT ROB BAKER ON: 01992 535647 OR DISTRIBUTION

Develop is the only dedicated publication for the UK and European games development community. It reaches over 8,000 request-only subscribers every month.

STUDIOS Epic Games ...................................................+1 919 870 1516 nDreams...........................................................01252 375754 Realtime Worlds ...............................+44 (0) 1382 202 821 Razorback ...........................................www.razorback.co.uk Stainless Games.......................jobs@stainlessgames.com

CURVEBALL LEISURE . . . . . . 01792 652526 . . . . . . . simonbrown@googlemail.com DISTRIBUTION

TOOLS Blitz Games Studios ......................+44 (0) 1926 880 000 bluegfx ..............................................+44 (0) 1483 467 200 Crytek ........................................................+49 69219 77660 Dolby ................................................................01793 842922

SERVICES amBX UK Ltd. ...............................................www.ambx.com Ian Livingstone..................................+44 (0) 1483 421 491 Image Metrics ............................................+1 310 656 6565 Imagination Studios..............................+46 (0) 18-106930 Onteca................................................+44 (0) 151 709 0028

CREATIVE DISTRIBUTION. . . . 0208 6643456 . . . . www.creativedistribution.co.uk DISTRIBUTION

Partnertrans.......................................+44 (0) 1753 247 731 Testronic Labs ................................................01753 653722 Testology .......................................................07919 523 036 Universally Speaking .......................+44 (0) 1480 210 621 Xaitment............................................+49 6897 - 600 80-0

COURSES University of Hull.............................+44 (0) 1482 465 951

The Producers offer a full supply chain management service covering manufacturing, warehousing, fulfilment and distribution Save money - Pay in £ not € - Flexible Inventory

To be included in the Develop Directory (which appears every month in Develop and every week in MCV) contact katie.rawlings@intentmedia.co.uk.

All subscription requests should go to mcv.subscriptions@c-cms.com

Contact Rob Gross on: +44 (0)7774 672891 – rob.gross@theproducers.co.uk

THE PRODUCERS . . . . . . . . . . (0) 7774 672891 . . . . . . . . . . . www.theproducers.co.uk

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ROB.BAKER@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK STORE FITTINGS

DISC REPAIR

RETAIL ENTERTAINMENT DISPLAYS . . 01733 239001 . . . . . . . www.reddisplays.com STORE FITTINGS

AMA DISPLAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01924 507217 . . . . . . . . . . www.ama-displays.co.uk DISTRIBUTION

GEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01279 822800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.gem.co.uk

TOTAL DISC REPAIR. . . . . . . . . . 01202 489500 . . . . . . . . . www.totaldiscrepair.co.uk

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DISTRIBUTION

Insider’s | Guide

GLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01708 725742. . . . . . . . . wholesale@glsgames.com GAMES CONSOLE REPAIR

MCV speaks to Pebble Entertainment’s general manager Kai-Peter Enzian...

What services does Pebble Entertainment provide?

As a partner of internationally active companies in the media and entertainment industry, we provide in-depth knowledge on European sales markets for entertainment products. We support our customers in working and developing markets with innovative product concepts.

Besides this rather consulting agenda, Pebble also offers highquality accessories for all popular consoles at low prices – published under the Kamikaze Gear label – as well as licensed accessories for well-known publishers.

What’s the best thing about working there?

The gaming industry is a great, challenging and ever-changing one. The best thing is the

opportunity to work in a young, inspired and motivated team.

There´s something new coming up every other day. Being part of such an environment is quite a thrilling experience.

TOTAL CONSOLE REPAIR . . . . . . 087 19 18 17 21. . . . . www.totalconsolerepair.co.uk DISTRIBUTION

What lessons did you learn last year?

2009 taught us that the ongoing economical crisis does not keep away our target group from gaming. And that it is still most important to adapt to the hybrid needs and demands of both suppliers and end-users. The ability to adapt to these needs is and will always be the key to a company’s success.

We at Pebble Entertainment are constantly evaluating our stakeholders’ various demands accordingly and feel that we are constantly up to these.

IDEAL SOFTWARE . . . . . . . +44 (0) 1767 689720 . . . . . . . . . . www.idealsoftware.net

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TO ADVERTISE CONTACT ROB BAKER ON: 01992 535647 OR ROB.BAKER@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK LOCALISATION

DIARY DATES ‘09 From the MCV Awards to our Games Developer Conference, here are all the essential industry dates to put in your diary…

FEBRUARY CASUAL CONNECT EUROPE Wednesday, February 10th – Friday, February 12th Hamburg Congress Centre, Germany europe.casualconnect.org

PARTNERTRANS . . . . . . . . . . . . 01753 247731 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.partnertrans.com LOCALISATION

Quality Matters At Testronic Labs, we help you produce great quality games.

For us, quality means a game that exceeds the expectations of the players, a game that works on every platform and reads right in every language, a game that’s just right for its audience.

We’re here to make it better.

Testing on all major console, PC and iPhone platforms Functionality testing Translation and localisation Localisation testing PC compatibility Compliance testing MMO performance testing Usability / focus group testing New Player Experience (NPE) testing

For further information, please contact sales-tl@testroniclabs.com www.testroniclabs.com

DICE SUMMIT 2010 Wednesday, February 17th – Friday, February 19th Red Rock Casino, Las Vegas, US www.dicesummit.org MIDLANDS MCM EXPO 2010 Saturday, February 20th – Sunday, February 21st Telford International Centre www.mcmexpo.org

MARCH GDC 2010 Tuesday, March 9th – Saturday, March 13th Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, US www.gdconf.com

JUNE

The biggest night in the UK games industry’s calendar returns to The Brewery in 2010, and will once again feature awards split across three main categories; Retail, PR and Marketing, and People and Industry.

A whopping 650 representatives from all corners of the UK games trade will be attending this essential games industry event that gives credit to the industry’s most deserving execs.

E3 2010 Tuesday, June 15th – Thursday, June 17th Los Angeles Convention Centre www.e3expo.com

TESTRONIC LABORATORIES . . . +44 (0) 1753 653 722. . . . www.testroniclabs.com

JULY

LOCALISATION

DEVELOP CONFERENCE 2010 July 13th - July 15th Brighton, UK www.develop-conference.com DEVELOP INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2010 July 14th Brighton, UK www.develop-online.net CASUAL CONNECT SEATTLE Tuesday, July 20th – Thursday, July 22nd Benaroya Hall, Seattle, US seattle.casualconnect.org

AUGUST GAMESCOM Wednesday, August 18th Sunday, August 22nd Cologne, Germany www.gamescom-cologne.com

UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING . . . . . . . 01480 210621 . . . . . . . . . . . www.usspeaking.com

MCV INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2010 Thursday, April 22nd The Brewery, London kathryn.humphrey@ intentmedia.co.uk

GDC 2010 Tuesday, March 9th – Saturday, March 13th Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, US www.gdconf.com The biggest developer event in the world brings together the development community to connect, share techniques and showcase the hottest upcoming technology.

2010’s GDC will no doubt follow convention with a heaving line-up of talks by industry luminaries, networking opportunities thanks to the packed roster of sponsored parties and a massive expo floor that covers both the Moscone North and West halls.

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Off The Record

Playboy and Maxim celebrate Bayonetta and Ron Jeremy attacks. We promise it’s all relevant...

‘BOYANETTA

To coincide with the launch of Sega ’s Bayonetta, Playboy is holding a Sexiest Bayonetta contest in whic h five Playmates have dressed up as gaming’s latest titular tart.

At least, we’re sure that was the plan, but since none of them look like Bayonetta, they may as well be auditioning for a spot on GTAV’s street corners.

You can vote now for your favourite on the Playboy website.

After many hours of discussion, we’ve got it down to three. Ish.

FROM THE ARCHIVE

[July 30th, 1999]

We take a trip down memory lane, looking at past news stories and other events...

NEWS: There’s going to be a DevCon in London in August where Europe’s top developers will be given details of PlayStation 2...

ELSPA unveils new ratings symbols. Looking back, to be honest, they’re rubbish... TakeTwo appoints the aggressively named Barry Rutcofsky as its new president. He only lasts a year but finds time to get pretty deeply embroiled in the firm’s spectacular financial scandals.

PEOPLE: Rachel England-Brassy joins

[CHARTS] ALL FORMATS: Driver ..........................GT Interactive PLAYSTATION: Driver ..........................GT Interactive N64: Star Wars: Racer.............Nintendo PC: Kingpin: Life of Crime...Interplay GAME BOY: Super Mario Bros............Nintendo

Take-Two, where Serhad Koro is promoted to the position of international sales manager... Andrew Blumson is appointed head of purchasing at Planet Distribution... The

‘popular’ (that’s what is says) Simon Alty returns from a stint in Australia to, well, to the UK. No actual job is mentioned. But he’s back in the land of Oz now, so no worries.

IN OTHER NEWS: A game called Pele, by the once great (well, once half-decent) Accolade is featured in an Off The Record section named Hall of Shame. It is believed this is where the great man’s erectile dysfunction started.

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MCV 15/01/10 49

RETAIL ADVISORY BOARD

MCV takes soundings from its Retail Advisory Board on the biggest issues of the day. The current members are...

LISA MORGAN, GAME

DUNCAN CROSS, ASDA

MARTYN GIBBS, GAMESTATION

THE MAXIM FACTOR Extensive research into the Playboy contest inevitably led to similar pics from Maxim’s own competition. Held over the course of last September and October, this saw the lads’ mag call upon real women (i.e. members of the public) to imitate the Sega witch.

Believe it or not, these are the finalists.

Granted, they may look slightly more like the character than Hef’s strumpets, but few have actually tried to dress up (quite the opposite, in fact).

DON MCCABE, CHIPS

TIM ELLIS, HMV

KEITH SHARPE, PLAY.COM

SARAH JASPER, THE HUT

JON BIGGS, MORRISONS

AZEEM SADIQ, COMET

GRAHAM CHAMBERS, AMAZON

PETER WILLIS, DSGI

IGOR CIPOLLETTA, SHOPTO

ANTHONY STOCKER, ARGOS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Guitar Hero and Rock Band involve musicianship in the same sense that chess involves military service.”

Po-faced American journalist David Hadju from The New Republic disputes any connection between rhythm action gameplay and the art of music

STEPHEN STALEY, GAMESEEK

JOANNA HUNT, TESCO

GURDEEP HUNJAN, SAINSBURY’S

PHIL MOORE, GRAINGER GAMES

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OFF THE RECORD

ROYAL PREMIERE Disney invited its key media and retail partners (and their children) to its Princes and Princesss party after a special screening of The Princess and the Frog last week. The team entertained the girls and boys with dressing up, face paints, caricatures and balloon making. There was also a chance to play the upcoming game.

Of course, why you’d take your kids to work with you is beyond us.

THE NAKED TRUTH Gaming gets plenty of abuse from other industries but surely we’ll always have the edge over certain things like, say, porn?

Not according to adult entertainment star Ron Jeremy, who claims that gaming is a worse influence on children than his own works. Speaking at The Great Porn Debate at this year’s CES, he laughably said: “Studies have found that violent video games are much bigger a negative influence on kids.” Conveniently, he forgot to name these ‘studies’.

It all seems somewhat hypocritcal given that we found these pictures with relative ease.

EDITORIAL: 01992 535646

Managing Editor: Lisa Foster Lisa.Foster@intentmedia.co.uk

Advertising Manager: Lesley Blumson Lesley.Blumson@intentmedia.co.uk

Please address all enquiries to:

Editor-In-Chief: Michael French Michael.French@intentmedia.co.uk

Advertising Executive: Rob Baker Rob.Baker@intentmedia.co.uk

Deputy Editor: Christopher Dring Chris.Dring@intentmedia.co.uk

Art Director: Stuart Moody Stuart.Moody@intentmedia.co.uk

MCV, Intent Media, Saxon House, 6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1JA.

Staff Writer: James Batchelor James.Batchelor@intentmedia.co.uk

Design: Adam Butler Adam.Butler@intentmedia.co.uk

Retail Editor: Ben Parfitt Ben.Parfitt@intentmedia.co.uk

Production Manager: Suzanne Powles Suzanne.Powles@intentmedia.co.uk

Contributors: Ed Fear, Andrew Wooden, Will Freeman, Rob Crossley

Business Development: Dave Roberts Dave.Roberts@intentmedia.co.uk

ADVERTISING: 01992 535647

Contributing Editor: Samantha Loveday Samantha.Loveday@intentmedia.co.uk Circulation & Marketing: Hannah Short Hannah.Short@intentmedia.co.uk

FAX: 01992 535648 Finance Director: Hilary Cole Finance Manager: Michael Canham Michael.Canham@intentmedia.co.uk

Managing Director/Publisher: Stuart Dinsey Stuart.Dinsey@intentmedia.co.uk Telephone: 01992 535688

Printed By: Pensord, Tram Road,Pontllanfraith Blackwood, NP12 2YA

MCV is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation and the Periodical Publishers Association.

Membership of the ABC and PPA provides our advertising partners with confidence in our circulation statements. For the 12 months ending December 2008, MCV had an average weekly net circulation of 8,833. MCV’s circulation is 100 per cent named and zero per cent duplicated.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS United Kingdom £150 l Europe £175 l Rest of the World £250 To order your subscription via Visa, Mastercard, Switch or AMEX or to make changes to your subscription details, contact mcv.subscriptions@c-cms.com or call 01580 883848.

SAXON HOUSE, 6A ST. ANDREW STREET, HERTFORD, HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND SG14 1JA Intent Media specialises in trade-dedicated print and digital publishing for entertainment and leisure markets.

As well as MCV, Intent publishes Develop, PCR, ToyNews, Mobile Entertainment, MI Pro, Audio Pro International and BikeBiz. It also has two online-only brands: CasualGaming.biz, dedicated to the growing mass market video game sector, and Licensing.biz, for everyone in the global licensing industry. It also runs a number of events including the MCV Industry Excellence Awards, the London Games Conference and the Games Media Awards.

www.intentmedia.co.uk

ISSN: 1469-4832 Copyright 2008

MCV has an exclusive media partnership with Famitsu - Japan’s leading video games analyst and news source

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