NEWS In Brief


THQ: The Xbox 360 version of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kingswill be published in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East by THQ. The PC version was published by Namco Bandai in May to high praise. No release date for the 360 version was given.


EA: Andy Gray will not be included in FIFA 12’s commentary team. The former Sky Sports presenter was sacked back in January after making off-camera remarks about a female Premier League referee. His place in FIFA 12will be taken by ex-Arsenal player and TV pundit Alan Smith.


CODEMASTERS: Xbox 360 and PS3 shooter Bodycount will be released in the UK and Europe on September 2nd.


MICROSOFT: The online hubs for Xbox and Games for Windows will merge on Monday, July 11th. All GamesForWindows.com content will be made available through Xbox.com.


PLAYDEAD: Acclaimed platformer Limbowill be released on PSN and Steam.


New publisher targets PC sector


Merge Games sets up in UK  Former THQ manager in charge  Has Facebook game plans by Dominic Sacco


A START-UP publisher has targeted the PC games market as it expands its presence in the UK. Cheshire-based Merge Games entered the UK retail market in March 2011 after setting up last year. It’s predominantly a PC game publisher but also focuses on the mobile and tablet formats. It has plans to enter the Facebook game market, too.


The company is headed up by former THQ manager Luke Keighran, who previously worked at the publisher for over six years. He spent three years in Australia and over three years in the UK handling export duties as THQ’s sales and marketing manager. He specialised in emerging markets such as the Middle East and Turkey. Before that, Keighran held stints at distributor All


Europe, Africa, Australia and the Middle East. Nick Alfieri has been hired as sales and marketing manager. Keighran told MCV: “We are a new breed of publisher that fully understands the complexities of the evolving gaming environment.


“ Luke Keighran heads up Merge which has a range of PC games due


Interactive and former publisher Acclaim.


Merge Games has released its first UK title – Storm: Frontline Nation– on PC. The strategy game leads a series of other PC titles from the publisher including


an Air Combat double pack and sci-fi game Deep Black, which are both due in August. The firm also offers licensing services,


consultancy into emerging markets and has a


distribution network across Sponsored By by James Batchelor


ACCESSORIES specialist PDP has opened a new office in the UK. PDP, which stands for


Performance Designed Products, has also bolstered its team with the hiring of Chris Spearing, who takes up the role of European regional manager.


CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS:


Bastion


Harry Potter: Hallows Part 2 Xcom


Videos are available within the free iPad Edition of MCVon iTunes and the free Browser-based Digital Edition, which can be accessed at MCVUK.com


Spearing was previously a UK and Ireland-based country director for Logitech and co-founded sales and marketing firm Thunk Consulting. He has held senior roles at Microsoft, US Robotics and Port Designs. He said: “I’m excited to be leading the European push,


www.mcvuk.com Chris Spearing takes up the role of PDP European regional manager


and look forward to building PDP’s international business.” Meanwhile, Harry


Holmwood has returned to PDP’s UK operations after two years at the company’s head office in California as vice president of software


and licensing. He and Spearing will be joined by senior sales manager Birute Tursa, who was also based in California.


The expanded European team will operate out of the new office in Windsor, and


“


We have strategies in place for the digital gaming environment.


Luke Keighran, Merge Games


“We have plans in place to grow our retail distribution in the UK, Australia and emerging markets and we also have strategies in place for the new digital gaming environment.” Merge Games: 01565 632319


PDP expands into Europe with new UK office


I look forward to building PDP’s international business.


Chris Spearing, PDP


will be responsible for bringing PDP’s products to various markets around Europe. PDP’s VP of international sales Shawn Kinninger added: “We’re delighted to be bringing on board a team with Chris’ proven track record and Birute’s expertise.” PDP: 01753 272122


July 8th 2011 9


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