Andrew Goodchild is studying to become a Game Developer with Train2Game. Train2Game Radio caught up with him 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 to the interview in full at www.audioboo.fm/train2game
Earlier this year, Andrew spoke to BBC Radio Suffolk about the Train2Game Game Jam.
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
Train2Game students have an opportunity to learn about game development from some of the best in the business when Epic brings ‘Unreal University’ to the UK next month.
Earlier this month, the Train2Game blog reported that the Epic’s free Unreal Development Kit has passed 800,000 downloads.
The free two day event will be run by senior members of the Epic team and some of the best UE3 instructors.
The second day of Unreal University will be of the most interest to Train2Game students, as it’ll feature hands on guidance for those looking to get started with UDK, with advice on level design, mobile game development and much more.
The first day of the Unreal University event is for those already using UDK.
The free Unreal University event takes place on July 13th-14th and Train2Game students can register to attend here. Places for the London based event are limited, so any interested Train2Game students need to be quick!
So Train2Game, will you attend Unreal University? If so, what will you want to find out?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: Develop]
Bug Wings for iPhone and iPad, developed with the help of Train2Game students on work placement at DR Studios, has received its first official update.
Bug Wings Version 1.1 adds the following features:
★ Bug selection and level loading UI improvements
★ Support for both device orientations
★ Reduced default sensitivity for new players
Bug Wings, which has Train2Game student names in the credits, has received favourable reviews online, including a 4/5 review on 148apps.com. Bug Wings also currently has a user rating of 5 stars on the official iTunes app store page.
For more information about Bug Wings from DR Studios, see the launch post on the Train2Game blog, or the official Bug Wings website.
You can support your fellow Train2Game students through buying Bug Wings from the iTunes store.
Do you like Bug Wings? Does it inspire you into mobile game development?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
In a move that’ll remind Train2Game students of the ever growing appeal of mobile games, a former Rockstar Game Designer has founded a new studio for producing them.
Anthony Gowland’s micro-studio Mainly About Games will concentrate on developing web an mobile games, with the first coming in the form of Tealy & Orangey, a web-based puzzle platformer
“With the varied distribution opportunities now available to developers, it felt like the perfect time to move away from AAA development,” explained Gowland”
And in similar comments made by games industry veteran Jon Hare during the Third Official Train2Game webinar in October last year, the former Rockstar Game Designer believes small teams can make very successful games.
“It’s totally viable for a small team, or even a single dedicated guy, to create and market a successful game independently. My passion is in creating small titles that have solid gameplay hooks and big budget polish.”
And in news that could theoretically benefit Train2Game student run game development teams, Mainly About Games will also offer consultation services.
“Each year there are a lot of games that are very good, when they could have been great. Playing through them you often get the impression that it’s the little details that are missing or have been overlooked.” said Gowland.
“I think there’s a real benefit to having an outsider with a proven track record play through your game with a fresh pair of eyes.”
Anthony Gowland previously worked as a Game Designer on titles including Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars and Red Dead Redemption. For an interesting look behind the scenes of Red Dead Redemption, see the Train2Game blog.
So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the move? What does a Game Designer with Triple A experience moving into mobile say about the industry right now?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
The Train2Game Game Jam took place at the end of March, with many of the Train2Game students involved finding it an enjoyable and very useful experience.
You can even download the games created at the Train2Game Game Jam from the official Train2Game website.
Why is the Train2Game blog mentioning a Game Jam now? Well, there’s an extremely interesting article on the BBC News website that looks at a Game Jam in New York
It’s an interesting read for Train2Game students, both those who did and didn’t attend the Train2Game Game Jam back in March.
For more about Game Jams, and how they can be useful for game developers, see the Train2Game blog interview with Scottish Game Jam organiser Romana Khan.
A Train2Game blog interview with Mediatonic Director Paul Croft also re-enforces how taking part in a Game Jam can be useful for game developers.
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: BBC]
Train2Game Game Designers obviously want to make careers out of creating games and writing their stories, and according to one developer it’s this section of the industry that will grow most in future.
The Darkness was one video game that featured some emotional narrative Game Design, and developers Digital Extremes want this to continue in the upcoming sequel.
And speaking to CVG, Game Director Sheldon Carter believes Game Design and storytelling will become even more prominent in the future of video game development.
“I think it’s a progression that everyone’s going to get to eventually,” he said. “I’m not trying to say we’re ahead of the curve or anything like that, that’s just the choice we made for this game.
“I think story is the final frontier for games. We’re kind of getting there tech-wise. Mechanics-wise it’s cool that we’re innovating but it’s still in the basic same themes. I think story is eventually where we’ll all end up going.”
Upcoming games that also focus on the Game Design Narrative include Uncharted 3 and Deus Ex: Human Revolution. For more on the writing and Game Design behind Uncharted 3, see the Train2Game blog.
Interested Train2Game students can also see a post that goes into great depth about the Game Design process behind Deus Ex: Human Revolution.
So Train2Game, is Game Design the final frontier? How advanced can the stories get? And which games do you believe have particularly well written narratives?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: CVG]
With the reveal of the Wii U at Nintendo’s E3 press conference, as reported by the Train2Game blog, you can’t help but wonder when the next generation of consoles will arrive.
However, according to EA CEO John Riccitiello new hardware isn’t needed to keep the games industry moving forward.
“There’s never ‘enough’ innovation and we should always be setting the bar higher,” he told told Industry Gamers. “What I don’t agree with is the implication that we’re waiting for the hardware guys to transition to help us realize the innovation.”
“I think the greatest innovation in the history of gaming is occurring right now. It is happening in the cross-platform arena — where Publishers are linking the best IP from console to PC to mobile to social”
“This is hard to do, but it will change the way gamers interact with our IP.”
As reported by the Train2Game blog, mobile gaming is becoming a huge phenomenon.
Riccitiello believes the key to innovation lies in interconnectivity.
“The future is here, and centres on creating a 24/7/365 experience and community behind the games you love,”
“Big game franchises have evolved from the ‘one and done’ model that released a new 15 hour experience ever 12-24 months. Games have evolved from a thing that you buy, to a place you go.
” … Anytime, anyplace – you can play, track your scores and see what your friends are doing. That’s the future of gaming.”
So Train2Game, what do you think is the future of gaming? Where is the innovation going to come from? Or are you ready to leap to the next generation of consoles already?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: Industry Gamers]
The latest batch of Train2Game student industry work placement diaries are now online for your reading pleasure.
Chris Robinson, William Alexander and Darren Price detail their experiences on placement at DR Studios, while Laurence Gee also provides an insight into working in the games industry during ‘crunch’ time.
Read about all of their experiences below or on the Official Train2Game Student Placement Diaries website.
Here’s something for anyone studying with Train2Game, particularly those on the Game QA Tester course.
Football Manager developers Sports Interactive are looking for people to join their QA Testing department on a temporary basis to test Football Manager & Football Manager Handheld across PC, Mac, Sony PSP & Apple devices.
As the advert itself says, it’s the ultimate job for “someone looking to gain some experience in the games industry.”
The job specification as listed in the advert is as follows:
* You must be at least 16 years old to be considered for the role.
* You must be able to commute to our Central London office in the UK.
* You must be able to work Monday to Friday based on a 37.5 hour working week.
* You should expect to work some overtime when requested.
* You should be a dedicated gamer with a passion for Football Manager.
* You should be a keen football fan.
* You should be comfortable using a PC, Mac, Sony PSP or Apple iPad/iPhone/iPod.
* You should have great attention to detail with the ability to spot issues.
* You should have a good standard of written English.
* Previous experience in QA is welcomed, but not necessary.
For more information about the Game QA Tester roles at Sports Interactive, see the relevant thread on their forum.
And while this could provide a great opportunity for Train2Game students, it’s worth pointing about that the Sports Interactive QA Testing roles are in no way affiliated with Train2Game. However, they could potentially provide someone on a Train2Game course with hands on games industry experience.
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
Dragon Age 2 Publishers EA have admitted that “innovations” in the game cost them fans, and therefore providing a lesson to Train2Game students about Game Design.
While innovation is key to the games industry, the admission demonstrates that Train2Game students who produce games that are too far out there may risk unpopularity.
Many fans were disappointed with a particular Game Design element of Dragon Age 2 that reused the same locations multiple times.
“We were clearly disappointed with some of the response from the fanbase, because we want them to be as excited about it as we are,” EA Games Label boss Frank Gibeau told Eurogamer.
“We’re very proud of the game. We tried to innovate and do some different things with the combat system and some of the way we told story. For some fans it worked well. In fact, we brought a lot of new fans into the Dragon Age franchise.
“But to be honest, we lost some fans as well. They were not pleased with some of the innovations and things we’d done. We understand that and we’re listening.”
It’s not the first time the Train2Game blog has reported that fan feedback will be taken into consideration with the Dragon Age franchise. As reported by the Train2Game blog last month, Bioware admitted they’d be listening to fan complaints.
Some Train2Game students will no doubt be pleased that EA say they’ll listen to this criticism when it comes to developing Dragon Age 3.
“As we think about where we take the franchise next, we’re going to take that into consideration and really engage them,” Gibeau continued.
“Ray [Muzyka] and Greg [Zeschuk] have built a long career being close to their fanbase and understanding what they want.”
“If they do something in a direction that is innovative and fresh for some but not for others, they’ll take that into consideration as we think about the next design and where the game goes from here.”
Last year, the Train2Game blog highly praised Dragon Age: Origins, particularly when it came to Game Design.
For more on why Bioware decided to take Dragon Age II in the direction they did, see extracts of an interview with Mike Laidlaw on Game Design hereon the Train2Game blog.
How important do you believe it to be for developers to listen to fans? Where is the fine line between innovation and alienating fans?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: Eurogamer]
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