Monthly Archives: December 2011

Train2Game news: Your chance to join Paradox Interactive’s Warlock: Master of the Arcane beta

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students have the opportunity to join a beta for Paradox Interactive’s Warlock: Master of the Arcane.

Those Train2Game students interested in joining the limited closed beta have until 14th December to register on the Paradox Interative beta sign up page. You’ll also have to be a member of the Paradox Interactive forum. The lucky applicants who are chosen for the Warlock: Master of the Arcane closed beta will be notified by email on 16th December.

Paradox Interactive describe Warlock: Master of the Arcane “as an innovative turn-based strategy game scheduled for Q2 2012 that pits players as powerful, empire-building mages as they war for dominance.” Train2Game students can check out the trailer below.

It’s worth noting that, as reported by the Train2Game blog, Paradox Interactive are still accepting applications to take part in the Magna Mundi closed beta.

Beta testing is an excellent way for Train2Game students, especially those on the Games QA Tester course to practice their bug hunting skills. Not only that, but in an interview with the Train2Game blog, Trion Worlds Senior QA Tester Karl Tars said that beta testing is potentially a way to get into the industry.

For more on the significance of beta testing to the game development process, see the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, will you be applying for the Warlock: Master of the Arcane closed beta?

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

Train2Game news: Mario creator Miyamoto on “retiring” to work on smaller projects

Posted on by
Reply

Shigeru MiyamotoSuper Mario and Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto has revealed he wants to step down from his current role as Head of Nintendo Development to get hands on with smaller projects.

“Inside our office, I’ve been recently declaring, ‘I’m going to retire, I’m going to retire.” The 59 year old Miyamoto said in an interview with Wired. “I’m not saying that I’m going to retire from game development altogether. What I mean by retiring is, retiring from my current position.”

“What I really want to do is be in the forefront of game development once again myself. Probably working on a smaller project with even younger developers” he said

“Or I might be interested in making something that I can make myself, by myself. Something really small. I’m not intending to start from things that require a five-year development time. I’m interested in doing a variety of many other things.” Miyamoto added.

His words could be construed as a desire to create smaller titles in the mobile game mould.

However, Nintendo have denied that the legendary game designer will be leaving his current role.

“This is absolutely not true,” a Nintendo spokeswoman told Reuters. “There seems to have been a misunderstanding. He has said all along that he wants to train the younger generation. He has no intention of stepping down. Please do not be concerned.”

The Train2Game blog has previously reported that the game design veteran wants to teach game development when he eventually retires. You can find out Miyamoto’s thoughts on the role of a game designer here on the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Miyamoto’s comments?

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

[Source: Wired]

Train2Game news: BAFTA Games Writers Panel podcast now available

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students who couldn’t attend the BAFTA Games Writers Panel at the end of October can now listen to the whole discussion via podcast.

The Games Writers Panel featured games writers Rhianna Pratchett, Jim Swallow and Ed Stern, and was chaired by Andrew Walsh. The panel discussed narrative in video games, so while it’ll be of particular interest to Train2Game Game Designers, it should provide interesting listening for anyone interested in video games.

Listen to the BAFTA writing for games panel debate podcast here. (It does contain some strong language)

When Train2Game attended the BAFTA Games Writers Panel we were fortunate to get interviews with two of the speakers, both of whom spoke in-depth about game design and offered Train2Game students advice on getting into the industry.

You can read the Train2Game blog interview with Deus Ex: Human Revolution writer Jim Swallow here.

Meanwhile, the Train2Game blog interview with Brink writer Ed Stern is here.

More recently than the Games Writers Panel, the Train2Game blog spoke to Bioware co-founders Dr. Ray Muzyka & Dr. Greg Zeschuk at the BAFTA Bioware Lecture.

As usual, leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

BAFTA’s public events and online resources bring you closer to the creative talent behind your favourite games, films, and TV shows. Find out more at www.bafta.org/newsletter,www.facebook.com/bafta or twitter.com/baftagames

Train2Game student Daniel Parkes December update with 100% TMA

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game QA Tester Daniel Parkes has posted a December update on his blog, and it has good news, Daniel scored 100% on his latest TMA.

“Everything about being a QA Tester has ticked a box for me. The last TMA I submitted was on lesson 3-practical video capture and editing: after going over it a few times I was happy enough to hand it in, within a few days I had the result back. I’m so happy to say it has been my best result to date, I got 100%.” said Train2Game QA Tester Daniel.

Daniel adds that the Train2Game course has helped him keep on top of and understand developments in the games industry.

“When I read game reviews and look for the latest gaming news if can understand heaps more about what they are saying than I could before I started this course.” he said

Read the full entry here on Daniel Parkes blog. Alternatively, see Daniel’s previous blog posts here.

Train2Game news: Epic President labels games business as “shockingly immature”

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students have a great year for games in 2011, but while the games industry is very successful, the business behind it is still “shockingly immature.” That’s according to Epic Games President Mike Capps in an interview with GI.biz.

In the extensive piece, Capps argues that the games industry needs to share learning and experiences in order to continue to improve.

“Our games industry is shockingly immature from a business perspective, because so few folks have business experience before coming in, or an education for business,” he said.

“It’s awesome because it’s entrepreneurship gone right, that’s what our industry comes from, and that’s really exciting, but there’s not a lot of sharing, there’s not a lot of great game business ‘how to’ books, so we try to share and people listen to us, for some reason, and we try to learn as much as we can from everybody else and their mistakes. It just seemed like the right thing to do.” said Capps.

The Epic President said licensees of their Unreal Engine help each other, rather than only looking out for their own interests.

“There’s no reason, if you find a bug, you don’t go ‘ha ha ha, that’ll give us an edge on Splinter Cell!’” said Capps.

“Because it doesn’t at all and so you share it, because it’s one less thing that Epic has to find and fix and they can focus on something you care more about. And you share with the Mass Effect guys and they share with you.”

Of course, four Train2Game student teams, winners of the Train2Game & Epic Game Jam will be attempting to win a UDK licence of their own when they compete at The Gadget Show Live next year.

Lots more about Epic Games and their Unreal Engine can be found in the Train2Game blog interview with Epic’s European Territory Manager Mike Gamble. Get more Epic Games news here on the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what do you make of the Epic President’s comments? Should games business work closer together for the benefit of the industry?

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

[Source: GI.biz]

Train2Game student video diary from Kimberley Caseres

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game video diary from Train2Game student Kimberley Caseres. In this video diary, Kimberley discusses how she fits her Train2Game Game Design course around the rest of her life. Watch it below.

You can also see Kimberley speaking to Train2Game at the Eurogamer Expo here on the Train2Game blog.

Train2Game news: UK developer Eutechnyx nominated for global award

Posted on by
Reply

British game developer Eutechnyx have named among the finalists for Red Herring’s Top 100 Global Awards, which recognise the “most audacious and far reaching private technology companies from across the globe.”

Train2Game students may have previously seen Eutechnyx Lead Programmer Dave Hawes give advice on getting into the games industry in this Train2Game video interview. The Gateshead based studio are currently working on Auto Club Revolution, scheduled for release next year.

“To be in with a chance of picking up a global recognition award before the end of 2011 is a remarkable achievement”, said Eutechnyx CEO, Brian Jobling.

“With Auto Club Revolution entering the final phases before a full release in 2012, the Red Herring nomination is vindication of the vision that we have for this unique product. We have the right team in place, and the right backing from our investment partners, to ensure that Eutechnyx can deliver on all objectives and ensure Auto Club Revolution becomes a global success.” he concluded.

“Technology companies are becoming the bright spot in the economic outlook. Eutechnyx has performed exceptionally in its field and strongly deserves to be singled out as one of the Red Herring Global finalists.” added Chairman of Red Herring Alex Vieux.

The Top 100 winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony that will take place on December 7th in Los Angeles, California.

Train2Game students can find out more about Eutechnyx in this feature about 7 UK game studios to keep an eye on.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on an independent UK game studio being nominated for a global award?

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

Train2Game news: BBC Click examines games as a learning tool at Serious Games Expo

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students will be highly aware of a variety of games from blockbusters like Call of Duty through to indie titles made just for the love of games. But there is another area of gaming out there and it’s growing.

Serious games look to aid people, be they in school or the workplace, with learning and last weekend BBC Click report from the Serious Games Expo in Lyon, France and took an interesting look at the various ways they’re implemented. Watch the piece here on the BBC Click website.

“You could say we use a lot of game technology based on video games, or based on traditional games like board games. And these can often be considered like simulators in the sense that is a tool that means if we are training someone, to put a sales person in a situation, where they are in front of a client in a selling situation.” Imaginove’s Tanguy Selo said through a translator.

“Today we’ve also seen advancement in what we call the science of integration. So when a new employee, or a group of employees arrive at a company, we can test them in their new environment to see how they react to the complexity of their new company.” he added.

The BBC Click piece then goes onto look at how video games are being used for training personnel, and how suspense and drama are being introduced into what could often be daunting or even boring training in the workplace. It also examines a game for teaching Dutch students about the European Union and Ludomedic, a game designed to help children in hospitals understand their treatment.

The serious games certainly offer a slightly different calling for game developers, and who knows, perhaps Train2Game students will one day be among those making serious, educational games.

For more on how games can be used as an educational tool, check out this video of Gabe Zichermann discussing how games are making kids better problem-solvers.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on serious games and games being learned as learning tool? Is it an area you’d like to get into developing for?

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

[Source: BBC Click]

Train2Game news: Your chance to join Microsoft Flight closed beta

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students have the opportunity to join a closed beta for Microsoft’s new flight sim title, Microsoft Flight. It’s intended for Microsoft Flight take over from the discontinued Microsoft Flight Sim series, with the beta is scheduled to take place in January.

“We have big news for all of our Flight fans: the Microsoft Flight launch sequence has begun!” said a post on Microsoft.com.

“We’re thrilled to announce that the Microsoft Flight beta is scheduled to kick-off in January 2012 and we are now accepting applications to participate in the beta program – to apply click here.”

The post adds that Microsoft will be sorting through Microsoft Flight beta applications over the coming month, with those selected to participate receiving further information before January’s take off.

Beta testing is an excellent way for Train2Game students, especially those on the Games QA Tester course to practice their bug hunting skills. Not only that, but in an interview with the Train2Game blog, Trion Worlds Senior QA Tester Karl Tars said that beta testing is potentially a way to get into the industry.

For more on the significance of beta testing to the game development process, see the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, will you attempt to get involved in Microsoft Flight’s closed beta? And what are your thoughts on Microsoft’s attempt to revive the flight sim?

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

[Source: MCV Online]