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Women in Games conference canceled due to 'low delegate numbers'
The Women in Games conference won't make it to its seventh consecutive year. Organizers apologize and cite "low delegate numbers" as the reason for the cancellation. The conference would have been held March 25-26 at Bradford College, UK -- which apparently does not have a Dr. Tony Hill on staff. What? Oh, Bradfield. Develop reports conference organizers will provide full refunds and that canceling wasn't an easy decision, but necessary because attendance would have been far below the break-even requirement. No word if the conference will make another attempt in 2011 or if that's all she wrote. [Via Develop]
Rare to build new studio in Birmingham, England
Rare announced today that it will soon open a new studio facility in the Digbeth area of Birmingham, England. To be housed in the Fazeley Studios complex, the new studio will serve as a "production, test and usability site to accommodate Rare's evolving methodology in game creation." Rare plans to use the new studio as a model for "change," as the company believes that the current practice of over-staffing studios has caused "a boom and bust cycle." The new studio marks a move to a development method more akin to film studios, and Rare expects the facility to house around 90 staff members, though the number is expected to fluctuate throughout different projects. The announcement notes that Digbeth's proximity to "several universities and colleges" makes the new facility "ideally placed for recruiting staff." We'd like to point out that Digbeth is also home to several pubs and bars, which should come in handy during crunch time.
Heavy Rain buoyed to top of UK sales charts
Consumers in the UK poured out the pounds for PS3's Heavy Rain last week, according to Chart-Track's all-formats chart. The adventure game took the hill from Aliens vs. Predator, which slipped down one spot. Meanwhile, Just Dance kept doing its cha-cha of endurance and took third. Nintendo's Wii Fit Plus got a second wind (or a big shipment to the region) and overtook Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 after moving up five spots and into fourth. Finally, Napoleon: Total War marched in at #12 while White Knight Chronicles began its quest at #35. Source – Heavy Rain storms the charts [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
CCP opens UK office
Growth in the MMO industry hasn't been limited to companies named after weather phenomena. CCP Games, makers of the popular sandbox title EVE Online and its upcoming spinoff DUST 514, have done quite a bit of growing themselves. Their merger with game publisher White Wolf and their office in China are old news, but they've just added a little more space under their control. It's confirmed that CCP has opened a new office in Newcastle, their first branch in the United Kingdom and a new home of development with a slight console focus. Much of the staff in the Newcastle office has been absorbed from the former offices of the recently-defunct Midway Studios branch in Newcastle, including executive Robert Troughton. It's slated to work on "current and future" console products, which no doubt includes DUST 514 as well as future games from the studio. After a number of closures and failures, it's good to see the industry regaining its footing, and expanded studios can only be good for CCP's fans and its games. And if you happen to be a software engineer in the area with some console experience, well, they are hiring...
HP opens wind-cooled, rain-collecting data center
You know, as much as we love our complex high-minded gadgets, we've always had a soft spot for simple, low-tech solutions to the problems posed by modernity. To wit, check out HP's latest data center, which is strategically located in a blustery part of northeast England and avoids costly and energy-sapping cooling systems in favor of good old wind cooling. Equipped with eight 2.1-meter (just under seven feet) intake fans and a bank of contaminant filters, the Wynyard facility is purpose-built for the circulation of cold external air through and around the servers within. It's said to be HP's most efficient data center yet, and its natural cooling solution is estimated to save a healthy £2.6 million ($4.07 million) in annual energy bills. A couple other optimizations bear mentioning too -- such as the rainwater collection which is used to humidify the air if it's too dry, and the choice of lighter-colored servers racks, which saves on lighting costs inside. Hit the source link to learn more.
Nokia mounts huge Ovi Maps signpost on a crane in London (video)
We're generally reluctant to cover purely promotional stunts like these, but when you decide to jack up a house-sized arrow on a crane and hang it next to London's Thames river, well, exceptions can be made. Nokia's big push to inform the world that Ovi Maps is free -- now and forever -- has culminated in the above sign, whose most appealing feature must be that it allows commoners like you and us to control it. People can send in a missive and coordinates via text or email, and then watch as the giant pointer rotates to the given direction and displays their wisdom to the world. See it in action after the break.
ELSPA/Chart-Track reveal top 10 UK sellers of 2009
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was the best-selling game in the UK during 2009, according to data from ELSPA/GFK Chart-Track. That surely comes as a foregone conclusion to any devout follower of the weekly Chart-Track all-formats report, which has seen Modern Warfare 2 at the top of the charts for nine weeks in a row. Last year's Call of Duty installment, World at War, made the ninth spot in the top 10 for the past year. Running up the field in second was FIFA 10, with FIFA 09 taking the tenth spot. Assassin's Creed 2 hung on to sixth place, with the rest of the all formats chart occupied by Wii titles. Check out the full all formats list, along with the top five for each console, after the break. The top 20 can be found on the ELSPA site.
Vodafone reportedly ditching the HD2 as iPhone launch looms (update: nope!)
Here's an interesting one. Vodafone, which is one of the few carriers in the world right now with access to HTC's HD2, is reportedly not going to stock the handset any longer once its current supply evaporates. The reason? Why, that's a fantastic question! According to a company spokesperson, there has been a "massive amount of interest" in the big-screen mobile, with initial stock "selling out quickly and subsequent deliveries used to fulfill backorders." Call us crazy, but it seems a wee bit foolish to can a product that's selling well -- unless, of course, Voda has a certain amount of iPhones that it'll be required to sell just a few months from now (or else buy 'em itself). Whatever the case, we're told that the operator "will not [be] re-stocking the HTC HD2 for general consumer sales once current stock runs out," so if you're jonesing for one, ten minutes ago would've been a great time to buy. Update: Here's the latest from Vodafone: "We haven't recalled or stopped selling it, at the moment we have simply ran out of stock. When our next batch of stock arrives, this will be used to fulfill our outstanding back orders but we won't be taking any additional orders via Telesales." Update 2: HTC pinged us directly and apologized for being unclear. Here's the bottom line: "[The] HD2 will continue to be available on Vodafone, even after the iPhone launches." Update 3: Wow, this is a train wreck. Now we're hearing that it'll only be available for "business users," making both Vodafone and HTC correct thanks to tricky wording. Sheesh.
Freeview HD on the air, OTA & IPTV combo boxes prepare to flood the UK market
Just as planned, Freeview HD has come online with a "technical launch" and manufacturers already showing off boxes expected to hit shelves next spring for the consumer launch. Right now only residents in the Liverpool and Manchester area will probably be picking up the signal, but The Register has even more details on when and where DVB-T2 broadcasts will be popping up over the next several months. Likely related to the IPTV requirement placed on Freeview HD set-top boxes, 3view is already showing off an OEM design that includes a box with support for OTA, IPTV and a web browser with Facebook, YouTube and Twitter apps included. According to Pocket-Lint, it also does the job of home media server and 320GB DVR, we'll keep a few pounds handy to check it out once the box arrives in March.
British Library packs its least requested items into new, robot-operated facility in Leeds
The British Library's just taken the wraps off a new facility up in Leeds where they'll now house some lesser used items (things like patent specs and Martin Amis' diner receipts). The new digs are a £26 million (that's about $43 million) building in West Yorkshire controlled by seven robot operators capable of pulling items and taking them to a retrieval area when they've been requested by librarians. Hit the BBC Source link to check out the futuristic system for yourself.
PS3 Dragon Age: Origins out in UK this Friday
PS3-owning Grey Wardens of the British isles will finally have the option to enter the Dragon Age this Friday, November 20. VideoGamer reports that EA has finally confirmed DA: Origins' PS3 UK release date, which comes two weeks after the game launched on other platforms.The tardiness of the title, according to BioWare CEO Ray Muzyka, was due to certification and manufacturing issues. If you're fan of RPGs (especially those in the BioWare mold), go get Dragon Age!
Wii Fit Plus claims top spot in UK sales chart, Dragon Age debuts in fifth
Wii Fit Plus has taken the top spot in the UK during its second week of release, according to Chart Track. The excellent Dragon Age: Origins premiered in fifth place, behind Wii Fit Plus, Wii Sports Resort and two football games. No surprises there!Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time premiered at the 22nd spot, which is a weaker debut than we had anticipated for the titular duo's final(ish) outing. It'll likely have a stronger showing in the US, though we'll have to wait for the NPD results to see if it lands in the top ten. Source -- A fitting No1 [Chart Track] Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]
Shadow Culture Minister upset over lack of UK support for video game industry
UK Shadow Culture Minister Ed Vaizey stated today that the Labour party is failing the video game industry and the Conservatives are ready to take up the mantle and show the industry the power of its armed and fully operational support agenda. Vaizey announced that the Conservatives will extend Film Council credits to the industry, recognize that game companies "face specific challenges" in raising capital, support its needs to "succeed and expand in the global economy" and stimulate investment in broadband. Vaizey quotes research that finds the UK video game sector could shrink 16.5 percent over the next five years, resulting in a potential loss of "£180 million in external investment and nearly 1,700 jobs" – the same words of warning that UK trade association Tiga has been going on about. Vaizey concluded his speech at the London Games Conference saying, "Politicians need to take this industry seriously and promote [it] consistently. ... The industry needs a voice at the national level, and we will explore how best to effect this. There needs to be a renewed focus on the skills you need to continue to grow." Then he warned the audience that the ability to destroy a planet was insignificant next to the power of the Shadow Lords -- kidding. Ah, good fun, but here's an explanation of the "Shadow Cabinet."
Tiga calls UK tax support 'incoherent,' seeks national solution
We're starting to notice that Tiga, the UK's trade association for the video game industry, is sort of like the tragic figure of Cassandra of Greek mythology (and ABBA's 1981 song) -- no matter how dire the prophecy, the powers that be won't listen. The latest warning from Tiga urges the English government to stop its "incoherent" funding system, which the organization deems a "post code lottery," for game companies in the region. It's a fancy way of saying that Tiga wants tax incentives and support through a national "Games Tax Relief" program, rather than the current system, which favors certain locales over others. Tiga believes the national relief tax will create 1,400 jobs over five years and increase investment in a sector that'll likely continue its downward slide if nothing is done to support British game companies. [Image Credit]
BBC confirms Top Gear is filming this season in HD
We've been wondering for some time when the regular edition of Top Gear (the Polar Special was a glorious, yet singular, event) would make its debut in high definition, and today the BBC Internet Blog confirmed this is the year. Set to debut November 15th, we'll finally be able to see the Stig -- whoever he is -- put some of the world's most exclusive cars through their paces in great quality. Whether that news has you checking the channel lineup for BBC America HD or bookmarking a torrent site we can all agree this is a fine day indeed.[Via Digital Spy]
BVA, movie studios spending a few quid to push Blu-ray
Looks like the British Video Association is looking to push those impressive percentage gains it keeps touting even higher. It's joining forces with the major Hollywood studios on a million pound (only a million (($1.6 million)? well, we are in a recession) ad campaign pushing the "benefits of Blu-ray" on flicks like Terminator Salvation, Inglorious Basterds, Snow White and other high profile titles due this holiday season. The Hollywood Reporter says the plan to broadcast TV spots across all major channels throughout November and December should bring the message that Blu-ray is the best way to enjoy films at home, we just hope someone sits down Peter Bradshaw and indoctrinates him.
Xbox 360 sales predictably spike in UK after price drop
GfK Chart-Track notes the Xbox 360 had a 43 percent sales increase over the weekend in the UK, following the price drop which sent the console's Elite version to a friendlier £199. With Sony's PS3 Slim model expected to hit the region this week, it'll be interesting to compare the percentage increase in sales for both consoles. We'd prefer actual sales numbers instead of percentages, but that's apparently not happening. To get a good grasp on the actual console sales, post price drop, it appears we'll have to wait for September's US NPD figures, which won't be released until mid-October. At that time, we'll compare them to the August numbers to get a better idea of the price drop's impact. Exciting!
England puts CCTVs in the homes of lousy parents
We love England, especially the way they use all these adorable names for things: "lorry," for truck, or "loo" for bathroom, or "sin bin" for an Orwellian program whereby "problem families" (currently numbering 2,000, but someday as many as 20,000) are placed under 24/7 CCTV surveillance in their own homes. Chris Grayling, something called the "Shadow Home Secretary," puts it thusly: "This Government has been in power for more than a decade during which time anti-social behavior, family breakdown and problems like alcohol abuse and truancy have just got worse and worse." Meaning, of course, that cameras must be moved from the streets of England into people's homes, where they'll be used to make sure that kids go to school, go to bed at a decent hour, and eat proper meals. If only they'd had programs like this when we were kids -- maybe things would have turned out differently.
Head of Roman Catholic Church in England warns against the dangers of SMS, email, and social networking
In case you haven't been apprised of the situation, your addiction to texting and email is ruining your relationship... with god. According to Vincent Nichols, head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, modern friendships built around (or involving) heavy SMS volley, electronic mail correspondences, and social networking sites create "transient relationships" which put users at the risk of suicide. Yes, suicide. According to the British man of the cloth, using electronic communication to build friendships is causing humanity to lose "the ability to build interpersonal communication that's necessary for living together." Sure, it may sound like heavy FUD talk, but there is sense in some of his points. For instance, the Archbishop of Westminster believes that social networking sites encourage people to concentrate on their number of friends rather than build actual relationships, and they tend to view that number as a commodity. Anyone who's seen the growth of Facebook and MySpace shouldn't have trouble making that connection, but when it comes to SMS and email, your friendship has likely moved on, and lumping that kind of one-to-one communication in with the broad relationships of social networking sites seems like an unfair characterization. We put the question to our typically calm and even-keeled commenter community -- are we doomed, or what?
UK developers calling for digital sales transparency
The UK publishing community is asking for sales information from the digital distribution networks, possibly using a service like GfK-ChartTrack to set up a download-only chart. The question is whether Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Valve and others are likely to share that information.To push things along, some developers are revealing sales figures as a sign of solidarity with the new initiative. Developer doublesix announced its PSN game, Burn Zombie Burn, achieved 70,000 sales. Studio honcho James Brooksby said, "We're clearly delighted that Burn Zombie Burn is performing well. ... However, I do wish that all the platform owners would make their digital sales figures public. We feel this lack of transparency is hindering the development of these channels."Considering these digital distribution networks have only really discussed sales rankings up until now, it would usher in a brave new world if they were to start releasing actual sales figures (whether to developers or to the public).Source - Publishers ready for download chart [MCV]Source - doublesix calls for transparency of sales figures [Games Press]
