Monthly Archives: May 2012

Train2Game news: Tribes: Ascend passes 1 million downloads in less than a month

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Train2Game Blog readers may have read this post at the end of April, about free-to-play shooter Tribes: Ascend reaching 800,000 players in its first weeks of release.

Well, the growth didn’t stop there, with developer Hi-Rez revealing Tribes: Ascend has reached 1.2 million downloads since its release on 12th April.

“We’re thrilled that over 1 million gamers have discovered the fast-paced and skill-based gameplay of Tribes,” said Hi-Rez Studios COO Todd Harris. “It is truly the player support of the title that has driven the population growth and fuels our team to deliver updates.

“We see the community expanding primarily thru positive word of mouth. Since release we’ve already recognized seven players who have each individually referred over 500 new people to Tribes: Ascend.”   he continued.

“The game’s success allows us to give back to the community through free DLC updates, tournament events and expansion into new markets in coming months.”  Harris added.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, the Hi-Rez COO believes free-to-play is the best business model for both studios and gamers.

There’s more on the rise of free-to-play here.

Are you playing Tribes: Ascend? What are your thoughts on the success of the game?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The Digital Mage Story (Video)

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Train2Game student team Digital Mage were one of four to take part in last month’s Make Something Unreal Contest at Gadget Show Live, with the task of building an iOS game based on the prestigious Fighting Fantasy series.

Now, you can see the progress they made through Make Something Unreal Live in a new video from Train2Game! It features industry figures including Cliff Bleszinski, Jon Hare, Peter Molyneux and Ian Livingstone providing advice to Digital Mage as they developed their game.

Watch it on the Train2Game YouTube channel, or here on The Train2Game Blog.

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game Industry Experience Dairies: Lionel Adams at DR Studios – week 5

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Train2Game game developer Lionel Adams has recently started a Train2Game student industry experience placement at DR Studios.

In his latest update from the Milton Keynes studio, Lionel discusses how he’s learned to love Lerp.

Read Lionel’s first industry experience diary update on the Train2Game Scribd site, or here on the Train2Game Blog. Keep reading to keep up with the latest student diaries. 

Train2Game News: Dragon Age Level Designer on getting into the industry

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Dragon Age 2 Train2Game blog image

Train2Game students looking to make that first step into working full-time in the industry should need to practice making their own games. That’s according to BioWare level designer Kaelin Lavallee, who has worked on both Dragon Age games.

“Make your own games! With all the free tools out there these days (XNA, Unreal, Unity) it’s easy to get started creating them.” he told BioWare Blog.

“Hone your skills (I can’t believe I just said that). Just don’t be lazy! You can’t have an awesome job and be lazy.”

The interview also sees Lavallee discuss is role as a level designer, and how there’s no such thing as an “average day” in the office at BioWare.

The full BioWare interview with level designer Kaelin Lavalee is here.

There’s more advice from professional game developers on how to get into the industry, right here on the Train2Game Blog. Keep reading for the latest news from BioWare.

What are your thoughts on Lavellee’s advice?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: David Perry to be named Development Legend at Develop Awards

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Train2Game students will see David Perry honoured for his achievements in the games industry with the title of Development Legend at this year’s Develop Industry Excellent Awards.

Perry has almost three decades of experience in the industry, working on over 100 games across 29 different platforms. Among them are titles including Earthworm Jim, The Terminator, Messiah and The Darkness.   More recently, Perry has headed up cloud gaming service Gaikai as CEO, and he’s one of the longest serving members of the Game Developer’s Conference Advisory Board.

“A truly progressive games developer who started coding games as a kid in the UK, David’s career has touched every topic and theme of the business that matters: coding, design, publishing, distribution, licensing, creating original content, working with brands, free-to-play, online gaming, writing, cloud gaming and supporting students,” said Develop and MCV editor-in-chief Michael French.

“Over the last 30 years he’s had multiple number one hits in his career, and the games and services he has devised or worked on have set the bar for many that followed. We look forward to welcoming him on stage this July to collect his much-deserved honour.” he added.

David Perry said he was grateful for the accolade.

“I’m incredibly flattered by this award. I’m from Great Britain and have incredible respect for the people that have been recognised in previous years. My mother is going to be blown away; she thought she was buying me that first Sinclair ZX81 to do homework on.”

Previous winners of the Development Legend Award include Ian Livingstone, Peter Molyneux, David Braben, Charles Cecil, and Phil Harrison.  The Develop Industry Excellence Awards take place in Brighton during Develop Conference week on Wednesday 11th July.

What are your thoughts on the award for David Perry and his illustrious career?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: Blitz programmers hosting ‘meet the experts’ web chat next Monday

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Train2Game students will be able to get advice from experienced industry professionals when Blitz Games host a live ‘meet the experts’ web chat on Monday 21st May.

“Two of Blitz’s experienced programmers from our BlitzTech and R&D teams will be sharing their knowledge on a variety of topics aimed at aspiring newcomers to the industry as well as experienced coders looking to further their career in a new field or specialism.” reads the announcement on the Blitz website, suggesting that this session will be of particular interest to Train2Game game developers.

The live web chat with the two programmers begins at 6:30p.m. on Monday, with viewers encouraged email, or Tweet questions beforehand.  The Blitz web chat will be available to see here.

Games from the Leamington Spa based developer include Puss In Boots, Michael Phelps: Push The Limit and YooStar 2.

There’s plenty of advice from experienced game developers on getting into the industry, here on The Train2Game Blog.

Will you watch the live web chat from Blitz? What would you ask?

Leave your comments here onThe Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The IndigoJam Story (Video)

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Train2Game student team IndigoJam were one of four to take part in last month’s Make Something Unreal Contest at Gadget Show Live, with the task of building an iOS game based on the prestigious Fighting Fantasy series.

Now, you can see the progress they made through Make Something Unreal Live in a new video from Train2Game! It features industry figures including Cliff Bleszinski, Jon Hare, Peter Molyneux and Ian Livingstone providing advice to IndigoJam as they developed their game.

Watch it on the Train2Game YouTube channel, or here on The Train2Game Blog.

Leave your comments here, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Call of Duty: Black Ops II doesn’t need a new engine say Treyarch

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Train2Game students are very likely to have seen the official Call of Duty: Black Ops II announcement earlier this month, along with the accompanying trailer.

Eagle eyed viewers will have noticed the in-game engine looks similar to that of previous games, but Treyarch’s Mark Lamia has dismissed the need for a new one in order to improve visuals for Black Ops II.

“People always ask me, “Is this a new engine?” I liken it to people who live in an older house that has been remodelled.” he told One of Swords.

“Just because you’re remodelling the house and it will look new or it will have a new kitchen, you don’t tear out the foundation, or break out some of the framing. You might even go as hardcore as replacing the plumbing, and we will do that sort of thing, as an analogy.”

“It’s a gross simplification, but it’s one way to say that. There’s a lot of good still in that foundation that you wouldn’t get rid of and we don’t. We look to advance in the areas that support our game design.” he said.

Lamia continued to say that the engine doesn’t need to be altered if there aren’t any changes that need to me made.

“Engines, each time they get touched, they change. The creators alter them; they don’t modify what they don’t need to, and then they alter what they need to. You can’t make a competitive product if you’re not upgrading that engine along the way.”

“I think the whole thing about a new engine…sometimes that’s a great buzzword. Well, I have a new graphics engine — is that a new engine? Where does it start and stop? Elements of the code, you can trace back for a very very long time…but whole parts of the code are entirely new. Two areas we did focus on for this game were the graphics and the lighting — a pretty significant amount of work is going into that.” he added.

You can listen to the full 40 minute One of Swords interview with Treyarch’s Mark Lamia here.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest Call of Duty: Black Ops II news.

What are your thoughts on the Call of Duty: Black Ops II engine? Do you think it could do with an upgrade?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Mercenary Ops closed beta accepting applications

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Train2Game students can sign up for the upcoming beta for third person free-to-play PC shooter Mercenary Ops from Yingpei Games, the studio formerly known as Epic Games China.

Beta testing will begin in mid-June, with six types of competitive and cooperative game modes across a number of maps based in a near future where guns for hire fight each other. For your chance to take part in the Mercenary Ops beta, simply ‘Like’ the game’s official Facebook page.

Mercenary Ops is scheduled to launch in the summer, with the free-to-play shooter featuring micro transactions, allowing players to unlock and customise weapons. The game is being built using Epic’s Unreal Engine 3.

“Balancing is always a major concern when it comes to online shooters, especially when they are free-to-play,” said Mercenary Ops Producer Jason Sharp on the decision to hold a beta test.

“Because of this, we have committed heavily to testing the game internally and have even invited some of the world’s best professional gamers for their invaluable feedback. With the launch of our closed beta we will have the chance to garner even more feedback, this time from general shooter fans.” he added.

And for more on beta testing, how it’s useful for Train2Game students, and opportunities to get involved with it, keep reading the Train2Game blog.

What are your initial thoughts on Mercenary Ops? Will you be applying to take part in the beta?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The Derp Studios Story (Video)

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Train2Game student team Derp Studios were one of four to take part in last month’sMake Something Unreal Contest at Gadget Show Live, with the task of building an iOS game based on the prestigious Fighting Fantasy series.

Now, you can see the progress they made through Make Something Unreal Live in a new video from Train2Game! It features industry figures including Cliff Bleszinski, Jon Hare, Peter Molyneux and Ian Livingstone providing advice to Derp Studios as they developed their game.

Watch it on the Train2Game YouTube channel, or here on The Train2Game Blog.

Leave your comments here, or on the Train2Game forum.