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  UK Female Devs Make More Money Than UK Male Devs [Update]

  According to game site MCV, women in the UK game industry make more than their male counterparts. But how much more is the question. The answer is £2,000 (US$2,947) more. MCV and its sister publication Develop magazine surveyed 528 UK game industry professional to collect its findings. Here’s what we learned: • The average annual…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2009
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  NPD Say PC Sales Are Down, Down, Down

  2008’s NPD numbers are now out there for analysis. So let the analysis commence! Up for discussion tonight are PC sales numbers, and how the NPD Group tell us they’re down 14% from 2007. Which, according to the way the NPD Group collect their sales data, is correct! Bad bad news, right? No, no, no.…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 16, 2009
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  Let’s Read Final Fantasy XIII Scans IN ENGLISH

  These V Jump scans are not new — they popped up a few days ago. They were in Japanese, and now they’re not. Final Fantasy-XIII.net has kindly translated them into the English for your reading enjoyment. So… Enjoy! Jump Scans Translated [Final Fantasy-XIII.net]

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2009
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  Rockstar: Sorry, No Grand Theft Auto “V” In 2009

  The most recent issue of Game Informer contains “loose talk” that Rockstar Games is readying a new Grand Theft Auto, a fully-fledged follow up to GTA IV for the holidays. Not so, say Rockstar reps. We checked in with the Rockstar folks this week to check out the first downloadable episode, The Lost and Damned,…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 16, 2009
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  A Whirled All Its Own

  My impressions of Puzzle Pirates developer Three Rings’ new project were colored by the minor car accident I got into on my way to check it out. Escaping into a virtual world was just what I needed after filing an insurance claim in a San Francisco parking lot. I began the process by walking through…

  By AJ Glasser Published January 16, 2009
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  Now Everyone Can Shoot Nazi Zombies In Call Of Duty

  Didn’t much care for World at War. Seemed a bit…trashy. But the bit at the end, where you can kill Nazi zombies? Loved that bit. And as of today, everyone can love it. Treyarch have “unlocked” the previously endgame-only mode – called Nacht der Untoten – so that everyone can play it, regardless of whether…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 16, 2009
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  The U.S.’s Top 20 Games From December Are An Odd Mix

  The NPD Group’s top ten bestselling video games contain very few surprises; it’s filled with Nintendo super-hits for the Wii, hyper-violent shooters and Guitar Hero. But the top twenty games from December mix things up. Gamasutra reveals December 2008’s second-besters, with games like New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS and Link’s Crossbow Training…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 16, 2009
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  The Behemoth Prepping Follow Up To Castle Crashers

  The creators of Alien Hominid and Castle Crashers have not given up on the video game development business. In fact, they’re already prototyping a new title! Way to soldier on, The Behemoth. Artist Dan Paladin writes on the Behemoth’s Development Blog of Development that the studio is “off to a very strong and solid start,”…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 16, 2009
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  A Night on the USS Hornet

  The Battlestations: Pacific event yielded a good look at the game, excellent (if eccentric) sushi and some decently sweet swag. The embargo for my impressions expires on Monday morning, so check back then for the full rundown. In the meantime, I present you party pics and a swag report: Pictured: One “medium” t-shirt that fits…

  By AJ Glasser Published January 16, 2009
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  Rock Band Pendant Shines Up Your Nerd

  I’m not a jewelry wearing kind of guy, but even I get a little giddy seeing ThirdProjectJuno’s masterfully crafted, shiny video game-themed things. Juno’s latest is a lovely and classy Rock Band inspired pendant. No, this 14 karat white gold preciousness isn’t for sale — not even that fabulous Metroid-esque ring we posted so long…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 16, 2009
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  Chicago Wants A “Horn Hero,” Apparently

  Pop-rock-jazz outfit Chicago doesn’t want anyone, especially Activision, to encroach on the soon-to-be-burgeoning trumpet, sax, and trombone video game scene. Therefore, Chicago has protected “Horn Hero” to prevent anyone else from making said video game. Sorry Harmonix, but the four decade old band has filed trademarks with the US Patent and Trademark Office for a…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 16, 2009
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  Cussin’ and Nintendo

  To: Bash From: Crecente Re: Trying To Stop Cussin’, Huh I was mostly joking when I said that this morning. I just accidentally typed Holy Duck. But, I do try to limit my cussing whenever possible. Too much of it rots the brain, and I do a lot. It’s a lazy way of expressing annoyance,…

  By Brian Crecente Published January 16, 2009
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  Sonic & The Black Knight Trailer Upholds Proud Sega Butt Rock Tradition

  Sega’s not one to shy away from awful cheese metal and lukewarm butt rock in its video game soundtracks. Thankfully, Sonic & The Black Knight looks to stay true to that hammy musical tradition. The latest trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog’s next Wii outing has everything you’ve come to love about recent games in the…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 16, 2009
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  Nintendo Says It’s Responsible For 99% Of Game Industry Growth In ’08 With Ridiculous Pie Chart

  As has already been established, Nintendo is doing well for itself, shattering sales records in the United States with the Wii and Nintendo DS. And, according to Nintendo, it’s 99% responsible for the industry’s growth. Nintendo highlighted that fact in its response to NPD sales data released yesterday, showing that Nintendo hardware sold more than…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 16, 2009
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  The Death of Evil Obi Flies in the Face of Flush Video Game Industry

  These are such things as dreams are made on, the colorful concepts of dying developers, the universes that will never be. A recent glimpse into the unpublished works of a now-defunct game developer shows us one such universe which includes fabled Star Wars good guy Obi-Wan Kenobi, corrupted and evil. In the original concept art…

  By Brian Crecente Published January 16, 2009
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  Ever think about actually MAKING the Games you play?

  If so, graduate to a future in Game Art & Design with The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division. Our unique program is your first step toward becoming an artist and designer in the multi-billion-dollar game design industry. You’ll learn how to design game play and background, create characters and their environments, and apply…

  By Chrissie Lamond Published January 16, 2009
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  Here Are Your Killzone 2 Trophies

  Ready to start your virtual accomplishment plan of attack on Killzone 2, Mr. Completist? The thought process begins now, thanks to a full list of 52 PlayStation Trophies for the PlayStation 3 game from PS3Trophies.org. The fifty-odd digital accolades runs from the standard kill count crunching (“Kill 1500 Helghast soldiers”) to the momentous (“Kill 2…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 16, 2009
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  How Can World Of Warcraft Help Train Your Employees?

  We’ve all heard stories about World of Warcraft affecting the performance of workers negatively, but could Blizzard’s massively popular MMO have a positive effect on the business environment? John Hagel and John Seely Brown over at Newsweek have published a rather interesting article titled “How World of Warcraft Promotes Innovation”, which looks at some of…

  By Mike Fahey Published January 16, 2009
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  Game Consoles Top Thieves’ Wish List

  Thieves are increasingly focusing on electronic goods, in particular game consoles, according to claims research by the Australian insurer RACV. The study showed that game consoles were the fourth most commonly listed item on insurance theft claims. “Traditionally, thieves have focused on jewelery, including watches, rings, bracelets and earrings,” said RACV Insurance General Manager Susan…

  By Brian Crecente Published January 16, 2009
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  Next Week’s Rock Band DLC Tracks Are No Joke

  If you’re a Steve Miller Band fan, next week is your week for Rock Band downloadable content. Me? Not so much. I don’t hate much, but boy do I hate the Steve Miller Band! Thankfully, there are other, non-Steve Miller sourced tracks coming to Rock Band and Rock Band 2, including new tunes from Rob…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 16, 2009