Monthly Archives: August 2011

Train2Game news: “Everybody has to get comfortable with throwing their stuff away” says Bioshock dev

Posted on by

Bioshock Infinite developers Irrational Games have given an interview to Gamasutra that Train2Game students will find very interesting.

Not only do they talk about the highly anticipated – and previously featured in an in depth piece on the Train2Game blog – Bioshock Infinite, but also about the trials and tribulations of game development. This includes goals moving all the time.

“You have to get comfortable working with the ground shifting underneath your feet a lot,” Bioshock Infinite Creative Head Ken Levine told Gamasutra.

“At the end of the day, it’s about, ‘is this going to be awesome?'” Although for cost efficiency team members must endeavor not to take an excess of risk, ultimately “you can’t care about sunk cost.”

Then speaking about Bioshock Infinite, Levine added “For a long time, it looked like ‘BioShock 1 in the sky”

And according to Irrational Games product development director, Tim Gerritsen, Bioshock Infinite “had a very European look; it was very art-nouveau.”

“That’s when we came to the conclusion we had to do some aggressive change to make it a distinct look,” added art director Nate Wells. It’s a process some Train2Game students may be familiar with, re-designing a game that has already got a distinct look through its development.

“It was uncomfortable for us,” said Lead Artist  Shawn Robertson on the redesign of Bioshock Infinite.

“Ken started literally pushing back the clouds — ‘bluer, bluer!’ We were really uncomfortable with it, our initial reaction is it’s a little bit cartoonish…. but when we saw it in context, that was our a-ha moment.”

“That searching and that failure was absolutely essential” Robertson continued.

“By spending some time muddling around… by failing, you find it. That was an idea that I don’t think that we could have landed on; we wandered to it. You need that galvanizing idea, but you can’t… just do nothing until you have it.”

And with Bioshock Infinite looking very impressive, it looks like the development process is going well for Irrational Games, but who knows what else might change. “Everybody has to get comfortable with throwing their stuff away,” said Levine

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the comments from Irrational? Are you prepared to throw your work out and start again? Is it an essential part of game development?

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

[Source: Gamasutra]

Train2Game industry experience diaries from Georgij Cernysiov, William Alexander & Laurence Gee

Posted on by
Reply

Here are three bite-sized Train2Game industry experience diaries from Train2Game students.  They come from Georgij Cernysiov who is on placement Caspian Learning, Train2Game Art & Animation student William Alexander at DR Studios, and Laurence Gee.

Read their industry experience diaries here on the Train2Game blog, or on the official Train2Game industry experience diaries website.

 

Train2Game student Darren Price industry experience diary No.6

Posted on by
Reply

A new week means a new batch of Train2Game student placement diaries. This time, we kick of with Train2Game Game Development student Darren Price who is on a work placement at DR Studios.

In the latest diary, Darren discusses creating a user interface for a game and some of the programming that goes into it. Read it here on the Train2Game blog, or on the official Train2Game industry experience diaries website.

Darren’s previous diary is available here on the Train2Game blog.

 

 

Train2Game student Jonathon Robinson’s industry experience video diary day 7

Posted on by

Train2Game Game Designer Jonathon Robinson is on placement at DR Studios as part of the Train2Game industry experience placement programme.

In this diary, Jonathon and Train2Game incubator scheme Art & Animation student William Alexander discuss pitching ideas to the DR Studios development team, and the amount of work that goes into designing an in-game user-interface.

They also discuss the sometimes strained relationships between Game Designers, Game Developers and Game Artists, and why this can happen.

Watch the video, produced voluntary by Jonathon, below and leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog. Watch the previous video here on the Train2Game blog.

Disclaimer: views expressed in the video are those of the person expressing them, and not of Train2Game or DR Studios.

Train2Game students on ‘garbage’ Kinect comments of Super Meat Boy dev

Posted on by

 

As reported by the Train2Game blog on Friday, Super Meat Boy developer Edmund McMillen labelled Kinect for the Xbox 360 as ‘garbage’ and that it’s ruining game design.

As you might expect from such a controversial comment – and the manner in with was said – it’s split opinion amongst Train2Game students

A number of Train2Game students made their voices heard on the Kinect issue on both the Train2Game Facebook page and the Train2Game forum; here’s a selection of some of their comments.

“He is right though they are bringing out all this stuff when there is no need” said Ian Casper Dale on the Train2Game Facebook page. “For the Kinect you have no controllers and the only games for it is things I can do in real life like running, fighting etc it’s a load of BS if you ask me and I agree with Super Meat Boy”

“I have to agree people are worrying too much about Kinect and losing the TRUE meaning and game play of what thay started out as”  Darren Williams agreed on Facebook.

“I couldn’t agree more with Edmund McMillen” added Steven Brashaw “Motion control is unnecessary, why do you think games like Mario Kart Wii & Smash Bros Brawl have Gamecube controller compatibility? I’ll stick to pads thank you & have a nice day”

However, not all Train2Game students see Kinect as a novelty, and some have very positive to say about the Xbox 360 motion controller.

“I suppose aiming for the casual gaming Market ( as they seem to be ) is always a safe bet. After all they are biggest spenders. Give it time am sure something good/better will rear its head and if not it’s at least a good direction for gaming in the future.”  Brian Malm replied on the Train2Game Facebook page.

Catriona Smith also praised Kinect on the Train2Game Facebook page, adding that it’s great for her child.

“I have the Kinect and I love it and my 3 year old loves it as well the games that you can get for the Kinect all good and fund to play plus you have the star wars game for it as well and it is a good way to get fit if you don’t have time to go to the gym” she said.

Meanwhile, on the Train2Game forum, Vampire Duck agreed that Kinect is great for fitness, and no one is forcing the Super Meat Boy developers to use Kinect.

“Well I’ve lost half a stone or more playing Kinect Adventures, so I don’t think I could agree. I like losing half a stone or more. 

“As for the rest, it is an option, no one is forcing him to use it, it’s not even as if all or the majority of Xbox games use it, and nothing can get sold without it. I think he may still be a little pissed with Microsoft’s broken promises on Super Meat Boy promotion, which is fair enough.”

So there you have it, a little insight into what you, the Train2Game students think about Kinect. But what are your thoughts on the matter?

You can get involved in the discussion on here on the Train2Game blog, on the Train2Game Facebook page, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Zumba Fitness top for 8th week running

Posted on by

 

In news that’ll continue to befuddle some Train2Game students, Zumba Fitness continues its domination of the UK charts with its 8th consecutive No.1 and 11th top spot overall.

Zumba Fitness outsold the next four chart positions combined and its 11 weeks at the top put it joint 3rd with FIFA: Road To The World Cup 98 and FIFA Soccer ’96 when it comes to time at No.1.

Dirt 3 jumps from No.6 to No. 2, while a very different vehicle based game, Cars 2, drops one to No.3  Just Dance 2: Extra Songs remains at No.4, while there’s also no change for LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean which remains at  No.5.

FIFA 11 moves up to No.6 in its 45th week on sale, with Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part a non-mover at No.7. Harry Potter fever also sees LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 re-enter the top ten at No.8.

Former No.1 – as reported by the Train2Game blog – L.A. Noire remains at No.9, while Call of Juarez: The Cartel drops to No. 10 in just its third week of release.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 30th July 2011 is therefore as follows:

  1. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
  2. Dirt 3 (Codemasters)
  3. Cars 2 (Disney Interactive)
  4. Just Dance 2: Extra Songs (Ubisoft)
  5. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (Disney Interactive)
  6. FIFA 11 (EA Sports)
  7. Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (EA Games)
  8. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Warner Bros. Interactive)
  9. L.A. Noire (Rockstar)
  10. Call of Juarez: The Cartel (Ubisoft)

It’s another slow week for game releases, with titles including Fruit Ninja Kinect.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the continued dominance of Zumba Fitness? And with so many big games scheduled for release during October and November, why aren’t some being released over the summer?

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

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

Kinect is ‘garbage’ and Game Design is what matters says Super Meat Boy dev

Posted on by

 

Train2Game students may be split on the impact Kinect will have on the industry, but Super Meat Boy developer Edmund McMillen hates it. Absolutely hates it with a passion.

Unfortunately for him, and as reported by the Train2Game blog, Kinect featured heavily in the Microsoft E3 presentation.

McMillen believes that more focus should be put on Game Design, rather than creating peripherals such as Kinect. He passionately believes it…in a very sweary fashion.

“Gameplay is what matters. Good game design” McMillen told Eurogamer.  “It’s almost as if they thought developers said ‘s**t, we’ve hit a wall and we can’t design fun games anymore, and can’t innovate through game design itself, we need all these crazy-ass peripherals that are going to help break through barriers and find new uncharted territory”

“No, just f***ing sit down and come up with a new genre. Chris Hecker came up with a new genre – Spy Party – so I guarantee other people can too. Minecraft – a creative MMO. And Katamari too. We don’t need peripherals.”

Speaking about Kinect specially, McMillen was just as ‘passionate’ in his views.

“That thing is a piece of garbage. There is absolutely nothing good for it. It’s a joke. It’s a f***ing joke. It doesn’t make any f***ing sense. It’s painful because they justify it by saying ‘a lot of people bought it’, but that’s just marketing.”

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Kinect has been a success in that over 10 million units have been sold.

“I’m telling you, there’s not going to be anything for it that’s so compelling that 10 years from now you’ll tell your friends ‘wow, I really want to break out the Kinect and play this’. It’s just not going to happen.” McMillen said of Kinect games.

Microsoft have previously stated that all their future first party games will come with Kinect support.

“Buttons. Buttons and game pads. Just give me my f***ing game pad back.” He replied when asked what he wanted from the next generation of consoles.

So Train2Game, do you agree with the Super Meat Boy devs comments? Should the industry focus more on games then things like motion control?

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

[Source: Eurogamer]

Train2Game news: Games industry should adopt one console as standard says Bethesda Exec

Posted on by
Reply

The games industry should move towards adopting a single console.

That’s according to Bethesda Softworks game director Todd Howard whose view is likely to split Train2Game students.

“I’d like there to be only one platform. It’s a lot of work to make the games look good on ever platform you’re on,” said Howard told PSM3.

He compared it to being able to use DVDs and Blu-Rays with multiple outlets.

“I often equate it to DVD or Blu-Rays. Once I’ve bought a DVD I can use it in my TV, in my computer, in my car, here, whatever. And I think it would be good for gaming if it was like that,” he said.

However, Howard admits his wish is rather unlikely.

“They spend billions of dollars selling consoles at a loss for years, but then make the money back with games,” he commented. “It’s not like the industry is hurting, we’re doing really well. But if I had one wish, you know, we would have better games for a single platform.”

The idea of one console certainly raises an interesting prospect, and not just because it’d mean the death of console exclusive titles! But it could potentially make games easier to develop and allow them to get to a wider audience; both are things Train2Game students are likely to approve of!

On the other hand, the idea of a single console does seem to overlook the PC, which as the Train2Game blog reported last month, has ‘shot by’ consoles according to Epic.

“We’re at the stage in the life of the consoles where the PC has shot by them in terms of capabilities.”  said Epic Games VP Mark Rein

“With the PC you can simulate the future – you can put enough hardware in a PC to show you what a future console will look like.” he added.

The Train2Game blog has previously lavished praise on the PC for being the best platform for Train2Game students.

So Train2Game, is the idea of a single gaming device too farfetched? Or could you see it happening in future? How could it benefit developers?

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

[Source: CVG]

Train2Game students take note – one third of UK population using smartphones

Posted on by
Reply

 

One third of people in Great Britain own a smartphones, while gaming is the fastest growing online pastime.

That’s according to a report from Ofcom, which argue confirms something the Train2Game blog has reported on a number of times – that mobile gaming is becoming a huge phenomenon. It’s therefore an area that Train2Game students would be wise to think about pursuing a career in.

And while the Ofcom report states the iPhone, with its easy to use App store, is still the preferred choice of smartphone for many, the Train2Game blog previously reported that Android devices are increasing their share in the market.  Indeed, many Train2Game forum users own Android smartphones themselves.

Interesting, the Blackberry is the most popular smartphone among teenagers.

Meanwhile, the Ofcom report reveals that there’s been a 23% increase in online gaming over the last year, with smartphones likely to have contributed to this too. Online social media games are also becoming more and more popular, with the Train2Game blog reporting that more and more developers are using it as a platform to release games.

Indeed as reported by the Train2Game blog earlier this week, Civilization developer Sid Meier said games ‘will take over the world’ and social media gaming will play a part in this.

“I think now is one of the most exciting times to be a Game Designer” said Meier.

“With the rapid growth of social network games there are new opportunities for smaller indie developers to make and distribute games, so we’re seeing a wider variety of games on all kinds of cool devices than ever before. That’s great for the whole industry.”

And as previously reported by the Train2Game blog, both smartphone and social media gaming, free-to-play could provide a viable model for making revenue from games.

“The guys who are making more money are allowing people – if they like the game – to keep upgrading. And instead of the maximum amount of that money you can make from customer being 99c you can make $5, in some cases $30.” Industry analyst Nicholas Lovell previously told the Train2Game blog.

So with one third of Brits using a smartphone, that’s a huge potential audience for any iPhone games produced by Train2Game students; it could very much be your future.

So Train2Game, do you see developing games for smartphones as a good career path?  Is the potential audience just going to keep growing?

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

[Source: Develop]

Train2Game student Fabiano video blog No.1 – transcript

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game student Fabiano’s first video blog is now available on the Official Train2Game YouTube channel

His first video blog is also available in text form! Read it below here on the Train2Game blog.

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