Monthly Archives: June 2011

Microsoft: Kinect becoming ‘super-responsive’

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As reported by the Train2Game blog, Microsoft gave Kinect a huge push during their E3 press conference, with developers getting better at using the technology.

Now  Kinect developers are starting to unlock “a whole bunch of new stuff” with their “super-responsive” titles. At least that’s according to Kinect’s Microsoft creative director, Kudo Tsunoda.

“I think the great thing about Kinect, and you saw so many new types of experience at the E3 keynote, is it’s all being down with the same hardware and development tools that have been available for a while – it’s just us as developers getting better at using the technology,” he said.

“You could see that in Kinect Star Wars: we’ve got the responsiveness down now where you could be blocking laser shots coming in with the lightsaber, which obviously needs to be very responsive to be able to do that.”

“It’s super-responsive, and that’s certainly unlocking a whole bunch of new stuff.” He added.

Microsoft has already stated that all first Xbox 360 titles will come with Kinect support in future, and you can find out more here on the Train2Game blog.

And as also previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Minecraft for the Xbox 360 will also come with Kinect support.

Only yesterday the Train2Game blog reported that while Peter Molyneux is a huge fan of Kinect, he believes the lack of buttons leads to interface control issues.

So Train2Game, how do you see Kinect technology developing? How much will it improve in future? And to what extent could it change Game Design as we know it?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: CVG]

Ubisoft want next-gen consoles, Sony see no need…yet. Where do you stand Train2Game?

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As Train2Game blog readers will be aware, at E3 Nintendo revealed the Wii U, making them the first of the three major game industry manufacturers to produce new hardware.

Some believe that this should persuade Sony to produce a new console, but Sony boss Jack Tretton says there isn’t any rush to make a PlayStation 4.

“I didn’t see anything about Nintendo’s announcement that said ‘Oh, we’d better get working on rolling out a new PlayStation here pretty soon.’ Tretton told Forbes.

“What we’ve seen from the competition is trying to add features that already exist in PlayStation 3,” he said. “We invested heavily in that, we rolled a very heavy rock up a steep hill, through the launch period. But now I think that all pays off, and we’ve got a long runway behind it.”

Ubisoft on the other hand believe that the time is right for a new console generation, and that new consoles will inspire game developers, game designers  and game artists to be more creative.

“I always like a new generation of consoles because it’s really the best way for us to be more creative. It gives you lots of new ways to create.” Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot told GamesIndustry.biz.

“And also the gamers are more open to innovation when a new console is coming, they don’t consider all the brands the same way, so they go after something completely new and they try it.”

“When the machines have been there for a long time you can always improve and increase the quality, but you don’t make revolutions in the way things are done.”

“I think it is time, it is time [to move on]. And that’s why I’m very happy when Nintendo comes with a new console.” He added.

It’s not the first time Ubisoft has mentioned their keen for a new console generation. As reported by the Train2Game blog last month, the publisher said they want next-gen consoles ‘sooner rather than later’

Meanwhile, as reported by the Train2Game blog earlier this year, job adverts from Microsoft suggested that their already looking into their next console.

So Train2Game, where do you stand? Do current consoles still have some way to go? Or do you agree with Ubisoft in that the game industry needs new ones to push forward creativity?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Game Informer & GamesIndustry.biz]

Apple could ‘own’ the games industry

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Train2Game students will be highly aware of how Apple has revolutionised the way we play games, but that could just be the start according to one respected industry figure.

Former PlayStation executive Vice President Phil Harrison believes that in 10 years, Apple will own the entire game industry.

“At this trajectory, if you extrapolate the market-share gains that they are making, forward for ten years – if they carry on unrestrained in their growth, then there’s a pretty good chance that Apple will be the games industry,” Harrison told Edge

“When asked to clarify his point, Harrison said: “[I mean in terms of] the proliferation of devices – you’ve got iPhones, iPads, iPods, which are all part of the same ecosystem; the speed at which Apple sold 15 million iPads is phenomenal. And the number one activity on an iPad, according to some reports, is games, and I think that will only continue.”

Earlier this year, The Train2Game blog reported that gaming is the number one activity on tablet computers such as  the iPad.

“The fact that the consumer purchase and discovery mechanism is so well integrated – you see something on the App Store, you click a button, the product delivers to your device. That end-to-end shopping experience, if you want to call it that, has been so elegantly built by Apple and they will continue to refine it” Harrison added.

Earlier this month, the Train2Game reported that OnLive plan to bring Triple A titles to tablet computers thanks to their cloud gaming system.

Meanwhile, Train2Game students know the benefits of producing mobile games, with some having even worked on DR Studios Bug Wings while on a Train2Game work placement.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the claims? Could Apple dominate gaming? Or will there always be competition? Or is the whole thing farfetched?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum

[Source: Edge]

Molyneux: lack of buttons for Kinect causes problems

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Peter Molyneux has admitted that there are problems with motion control, in comments that may be well supported by Train2Game students.

“I’ll admit that Kinect has got some problems. As an input device it has some real problems.” He told Gaming Union.

“Without a thumb stick, navigation is a real problem. You haven’t got any buttons, so ordering the player to do something can be somewhat of a problem” he continued. It’s a fair point that Train2Game Game Designers may have thought of too.

“But what Kinect does have is a great sense of freedom and emotion. So that’s what we’ve tried to do with Fable: The Journey.It started about seven months ago when Microsoft came to us and said, ‘Look we want you to do a [Kinect] experience for the core gamers” Molyneux added.

“So we sat down and thought through the problems with that, and the first thing was figuring out how we can make Kinect more engaging, more engrossing, and more emotional than any control-based game or any Fable game has ever been before.”

Microsoft are very keen to push Kinect, and as reported by the Train2Game blog, the motion controller featured heavily in their E3 presentation. Earlier this month, the Train2Game blog also reported that Microsoft say all first party titles will come with Kinect support in future.

Train2Game students may also like to be reminded that earlier this year, Molyneux stated that up and coming game developers – which of course includes those currently on Train2Game courses – should get more support from the industry.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Molyneux’s comments about Kinect? Does it show that the traditional controller still has a lot to offer?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Gaming Union via Develop]

Train2Game Game Designer Justin French from St Albans speaks to Train2Game Radio

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In our latest interview, we speak to Audio Engineer and Train2Game Game Design student Justin French.

Train2Game Radio caught up with Justin to find out why he chose to study with Train2Game, how he’s finding the course and what he wants to achieve in a career in the games industry.

Listen at www.audioboo.fm/train2game. Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Zynga’s new game Empires & Allies gets 33 million players in three weeks

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Empires & Allies

In a big reminder to Train2Game students of how popular social games now are, Zynga’s latest title Empires & Allies has reached over 30 million users in less than 3 weeks.

According to AppData, Strategy game Empires & Allies gained 20 million of those players in the last week.

The game Zygna said has “more social features than any Zynga game” was released on at the beginning of June.

Empires & Allies is free-to-play, but like many other Zynga and social media games, players can spend money to help them progress faster.

For more information on Freemium games, their increasing popularity, and how this could be important for Train2Game students, see the Train2Game blog.

As the Train2Game blog reported earlier this year, a survey suggested that 70% of internet users play casual games. Social games are therefore potentially a lucrative market forTrain2Game students to be involved in.

Indeed, the Train2Game blog also reported that  Game Design  isthe most important aspect of a social game, and that Game Designers behind them much larger roles than those who help produce console titles.

In theory that means creating a social game could allow a Train2Game Game Designer more of an opportunity to flex their creative muscle.

Whatever your opinion of Facebook games, it’s hard to argue with such high user numbers, although there’s some way to go before reaching Cityville’s 100 million players.

As reported by the Train2Game blog in January, it’s previously been suggested that the social media gaming market will reach $1 billion this year.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the success of Empires & Allies? Would you develop Facebook games?

Leave your thoughts here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Gamasutra] 

UK Charts: Zumba Fitness back on top

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In news that may surprise Train2Game blog readers, Zumba Fitness has once again reclaimed No.1 in the UK Charts. The dancing game retakes the top spot it last occupied 6 weeks ago, as previously reported on the Train2Game blog.

The repeat success of Zumba Fitness denies The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time 3D for the Nintendo 3DS top spot in its first week in the chart as it settles for No.2.  Last weeks No.1 as reported by the Train2Game blog, Duke Nukem Forever, drops to No.3 while L.A. Noire drops two to No.4.

Brink rises two places to No.5, passing LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean with drops one to No.6, while Dirt 3 also drops one to No.7.

Infamous 2 drops from No.4 to No.8 in its second week in the charts, Dungeon Siege III enters at No.1 in its first week of release, while FIFA 11 completes the top ten.

Call of Duty: Black Ops and Red Faction: Armageddon both leave the top ten dropping to No.11 and No.12 respectively.  Both are ahead of Alice: Madness returns with debuts at No. 13. The highly praised Child of Eden enters the UK Chart at No.25 in its first week on sale.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 18th June 2011 is therefore as follows:

1. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
2. The Legend of Zelda: OCarina of Time 3D
3. Duke Nukem Forever (2K Games)
4. LA Noire (Rockstar)
5. Brink (Bethesda)
6. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (Disney)
7. Dirt 3 (Codemasters)
8. InFamous 2 (Sony)
9. Dungeon Siege III (Square Enix)
10. FIFA 11 (EA)

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on this weeks charts? Are you surpised to see Zumba Fitness back at No.1? What does it say about the UK games industry right now?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: UKIE Games Charts©, compiled by GfK Chart-Track]

Minecraft for Xbox 360 being developed by British Studio

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The Xbox 360 version of Train2Game forum user favourite Minecraft is being developed by Dundee based team 4J Studios.

The news was confirmed in a Tweet by Minecraft creator Markus ‘Notch’ Persson, which said “They ported Oblivion to PS3 and Perfect Dark to Xbox360! It’s 4J Studios:http://t.co/vG8Np8n”

As reported by the Train2Game blog, the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft will come with Kinect support.

Earlier this week, the Train2Game blog reported that Minecraft, despite still being in Beta, has been bought and downloaded over 2.5 million times.

The indie smash hit is also heading to smartphones, as  also previously mentioned by the Train2Game blog.

The news of the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft being developed in the UK comes as the Train2Game blog revealed SEGA are opening a new studio in the Midlands.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the news?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.