Train2Game News SpecialEffect nominated for awards

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

The games charity, SpecialEffect, are up for a couple of awards at the GamesIndustry International Innovation Awards.

The awards are being held by GamesIndustry.biz and there are numerous categories to vote in. SpecialEffect are up for the award in Innovation in Technology for their work constantly breaking new technological ground with one-off machines to bring the joy of gaming back into their lives.

They are also up for the award of Innovation in Social Responsibility. This prize celebrates those companies who choose to give something back to their communities and society at large. SpecialEffect is a prime example of giving back to the gaming community as they are always working on new ways of helping those in need.

Those who win will be presented with a trophy at an award ceremony at GameHorizon in Newcastle, England on May 7, 2014.

To see a full list of the nominations and to cast your vote visit http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-03-10-gamesindustry-innovation-awards-vote-now

Train2Game News UK Top 20 games – 17.03.14

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

This weeks charts have a few new entries including a new number one, Respawn Entertainment’s highly anticipated big mech shooter Titanfall. Bandai Namco’s Dark Souls 2 in its debut week has reached number two just above last weeks number one South Park: Stick Of Truth. Further down the charts Nintendo’s Yoshi’s New Island comes in at number twelve and Pac-man and the ghostly adventures enters at number nineteen.

All formats
Week ending 15 March 2014

POS.		TITLE	PUBLISHER	LAST WEEK
1		TITANFALL	EA GAMES	–
2		DARK SOULS II	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES	–
3		SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH	UBISOFT	1
4	–	THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	4
5		THIEF	SQUARE ENIX	2
6		FIFA 14	EA SPORTS	5
7		PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE	EA GAMES	3
8		CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	ACTIVISION	6
9		MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION	MICROSOFT	7
10		BATTLEFIELD 4	EA GAMES	8
11		ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	UBISOFT	10
12		YOSHI’S NEW ISLAND	NINTENDO	–
13		LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	9
14		GRAND THEFT AUTO V	ROCKSTAR	12
15		ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES	SEGA	14
16		RAYMAN LEGENDS	UBISOFT	11
17		FORZA MOTORSPORT 5	MICROSOFT	16
18		NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS	EA GAMES	13
19		PAC-MAN AND THE GHOSTLY ADVENTURES	BANDAI NAMCO GAMES	–
20	–	KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	20

< previous week

These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.

Train2Game News AppEngage Network

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

To prove the value of an engaged user, Midverse Studios is offering developers who implement the AppEngage Network up to 100,000 installs for free.

The offer is available to all Android developers (Google Play and Amazon) who implement the AppEngage SDK within the next 30 days.

With the AppEngage Network, Midverse is pioneering a Cost Per Quality Engagement (CPE+) model, leaving behind the increasingly expensive and decreasingly effective Cost Per Install (CPI) model. The mobile platform provides incremental in-game rewards to users based on players successfully completing tasks across a number of in-network games. Through these cross-game incentives, the AppEngage Network keeps players involved across multiple apps, creating a reason to try new titles and to continue playing them well after the first play session.

“CPI is broken, with developers paying a premium for users who are encouraged to install their apps by other ad networks, but then immediately delete or never even play their games,” said Rizwan Virk, co-founder and CEO of Midverse Studios. “With the AppEngage Network, we’re delivering users who stick around long enough to get hooked and actually want to play your game.”

Developers currently using AppEngage have increased monetization by at least $.01 in average revenue per daily active user (ARPDAU). That means an app with 100,000 daily active users (DAU) will have a revenue increase of at least $1,000 per day.

Midverse’s 100,000 Free Users promotion will run for a limited time. The number of free installs is based on the developer’s DAU and how many users their application shares with the Network. Complete terms and conditions for the offer are available at http://www.midversestudios.com/100kpromo_terms.

Train2Game News Unity acquires Applifier

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Unity Technologies, creators of the Unity multiplatform engine and development tools, announced that it will acquire Applifier, one of the world’s largest and most successful mobile game service providers.

The acquisition will see Everyplay, the pioneering game replay sharing and community service, integrated into the Unity development platform. The GameAds video advertising network will complement the free cross-promotion network currently in development for Unity Cloud.

Everyplay, created to let players express themselves with game replay sharing, provides developers with a unique way to acquire new players and increase retention for free. The service gives players the power to easily record, share and discuss extraordinary moments from their gameplay sessions leading to authentic virality with the players’ friends and the broader audience of involved gamers. Everyplay boasts a global community of over 6 million registered mobile players and is now growing by over 1 million new users each month with millions of shared replays from hundreds of integrated games on iOS and Android. The social game replay service, already easy for developers to adopt, will get integrated into Unity for effortless activation of features. Everyplay will continue to offer its SDKs outside of Unity products and enthusiastically welcomes any developer interested in using Everyplay with their games.

“Unity was founded to democratize game development, and we are incessantly searching for tools that can make our community more successful,” said David Helgason, CEO, Unity Technologies. “By welcoming Everyplay to the Unity platform, we’re arming our developers with an incredibly powerful and authentic way to connect with a rapidly growing community of passionate gamers.”

“The challenge for today’s developers doesn’t end with releasing awesome games – they also need to attract and retain legions of true fans,” said Jussi Laakkonen, CEO, Applifier. “We are thrilled to join forces with Unity and, with the help of the incredible Unity community, overcome these important challenges together.”

The acquisition also brings GameAds, a broadly adopted video ad network, to Unity. The service is used by leading game publishers to find engaged new users and to monetize non-paying users with video ads. The GameAds video ad network and Everyplay gaming community will work side by side Unity Cloud and its upcoming cross-promotion network. Together the three services will provide mobile game developers with multiple methods to grow their customer base.

Train2Game News Operation Supply Drop fundraising

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Today, military-focused video game charity Operation Supply Drop announced their next major fundraising event, the third annual “8-Bit Salute”, a 24-hour gaming marathon, to be held May 17 – 18, 2014.

Donations raised during this charity event will fund video game care packages, offering much needed diversion and stress-relief to combat-zone deployed troops and those recovering in military hospitals.

Machinima sensation and community favorite Rooster Teeth (creators of the award-winning Red vs Blue series) will actively promote the 8-Bit Salute fundraiser and field a community team to raise awareness and funds.

“Rooster Teeth is excited to continue our involvement with Operation Supply Drop and to grow the partnership to continue to provide assistance to those who dedicate themselves to serving our country,” said Rooter Teeth co-Founder Gus Sorolla. “We look forward to further collaboration and success for years to come.”

Other key partners include gaming juggernaut Wargaming America (World of Tanks, World of Warplanes), developer Naughty Dog (2013 Developer of the Year, The Last of Us) and gaming-headset powerhouse ASTRO Gaming. They have pledged significant donations and will assemble fundraising teams via the Operation Supply Drop website at www.operationsupplydrop.org. There, fans will have a chance to win a variety of great prizes while raising awareness and funds for our troops.

“The feedback, stories and pictures of delighted recipients, deployed in hot spots around the world, and those recovering from combat-related injuries serving us and our country, are testament to how much of a morale boost our supply drops are, as we try to give back to those that risk their lives to defend us and our way of life,” stated Operation Supply Drop Founder Captain Stephen “Shanghai Six” Machuga, a former U.S. Army Ranger and combat veteran. “We are thrilled to have so many partners involved and are confident that this will be the biggest and most successful 8-Bit Salute to date.”

Train2Game News Game Music Connect 2014

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Following the resounding success of the inaugural Game Music Connect conference in 2013, Game Music Connect 2014 proudly returns to The Purcell Room at the Southbank Centre, London on September 24, 2014.

Game Music Connect is for aspiring and professional composers of all backgrounds and those interested in learning about the art and craft of creating today’s cutting edge video game soundtracks. Featuring interviews, practical demonstrations and roundtable discussions with some of the world’s leading composers and audio directors, the first announced speakers for Game Music Connect 2014 include music industry luminary Steve Schnur (Worldwide Executive of Music, Electronic Arts), composers Garry Schyman (BioShock Infinite), Jessica Curry (Dear Esther) and Olivier Derivière (Remember Me). Early-bird tickets are available now at http://www.gamemusicconnect.com.

Game Music Connect is founded by BAFTA and IFMCA award winner and five-time BAFTA Original Music nominated composer James Hannigan (Transformers Universe, RuneScape, Dead Space 3, Command and Conquer series, Harry Potter series) and noted game audio director, composer (Forza Motorsport 5, X-COM, Transport Tycoon), writer (develop, Audio Media), jury chair for BAFTA’s game music and audio awards, and industry commentator John Broomhall, to celebrate and explore the music of video games.

James Hannigan: “It’s a huge thrill to be back for 2014 and a great honour to have such wonderfully talented, diverse and influential guests join us for the day. As promised last year, we will be covering the innovative indie game music scene this time around, as well as continuing our focus on blockbusters and the challenges of interactive music.”

Game Music Connect 2014 will open with a keynote from Steve Schnur, EA’s Worldwide Executive of Music. Schnur’s hands-on approach with composer selection and score production has earned EA more than 50 soundtrack nominations over the last 10 years during which he has produced in excess of 100 EA soundtrack albums. With the formation of Artwerk Music Group, EA also directly signs, develops and launches artists for publishing, master recordings, sync deals and distribution.

For more information and to purchase tickets for Game Music Connect 2014, visit www.gamemusicconnect.com.

Train2Game News SpecialEffect helps gamer complete GTA V

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

When Lee lost the ability to play video games because of spinal muscular atrophy, he lost a major part of his life. But with the help of gamer’s charity SpecialEffect, he’s conquered Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V.

“I’ve played games all my life,” he said, “and I got quite depressed when I couldn’t play them. It was taking a big part of who I was away.”

SpecialEffect, who specialise in helping people with disabilities to experience the fun and inclusion of video games, worked with Lee to find a customised equipment setup that exactly suited his individual abilities.

The charity positioned microswitches to harness the small finger movements in his right hand, and mounted two joysticks that he can operate using his chin.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to play GTA because of my limitations, but there are no limitations anymore,” he said. “With games I can do the things I can’t do because of my disability,” he said. “I can play football with my brother by playing FIFA, or drive cars.”

“Disabilities are very frustrating and limiting – you’re basically imprisoned. This is the charity that could help change your life and bring something back that you thought you’d lost.”

Before his condition had advanced, Lee had found out about the charity through a clicking on the SpecialEffect pitchside advertising board in Sports Interactive’s Football Manager 13 game.

Nick Streeter, fundraiser at the charity, said “We’re absolute delighted to be able to help Lee. His physical abilities are changing over time, and we’ll keep visiting him to modify his equipment so that he can continue to play games as effectively as possible.”

“Games are an amazing medium through which people make friends, socialise and come together for a common cause. To be able to extend that medium to people that would otherwise not be involved is both an honour and a privilege.”

Lee’s story is featured in a short YouTube video, shown below, by the charity

http://youtu.be/5J2GWmoVl-k

Train2Game News Costume Quest 2 announced

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Midnight City, indie label of Majesco Entertainment Company, will publish Double Fine Productions’ first big sequel, Costume Quest 2, coming to PC and consoles.

In Double Fine’s triumphant return to Auburn Pines, our candy-crazed crusaders Wren and Reynold must once again protect Halloween from untold horrors, and grown-ups! Your favorite trick-or-treaters will come armed with a new batch of costumes they wear to transform into giant super powered fantasy Hallowarriors. Fans of the original can look forward to a sweet upgraded battle system and a story that is unmistakably Double Fine.

“For the last couple of years,” said Tim Schafer, Creative Director of Double Fine Productions, “Whenever Halloween came around, I felt like something was missing. No matter how many pumpkins I carved, apples I bobbed, or candy I ate, it just couldn’t fill the big spooky hole inside of me. But then I realized what was missing: I needed more Costume Quest. And also, I really wanted a T-Shirt with glowing skulls on it.”

“It’s not every day that you’re able to work with talent like Double Fine,” said Casey Lynch, VP of Publishing at Midnight City. “The opportunity to partner with one of the most beloved, well-established studios in the indie scene along with one of the most brilliant teams in development represents a sea change for games publishing. We’re moving into a brand new middle that’s taking shape in the widening gap between word of mouth indie and triple A.”

Costume Quest 2 join Midnight City’s growing roster of indie titles alongside handcrafted puzzler The Bridge, the infamous madness-inducing Slender: The Arrival, and innovative minimalist e-sport VIDEOBALL.

You can enjoy the crazy announcement trailer for Costume Quest 2 below:

Train2Game News Future Internet Games Contest launched today

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

The Future Internet Games Contest is being launched today by Disney and the Future Internet Consortium partners in association with Abertay University.

Ideas for games in the areas of augmented reality, blending real and virtual worlds, and city-wide play will be assessed by a panel of experts from the Europe-wide Future Internet (FI) Content initiative.

This Disney-led project comprises major European and global companies and research centres, who have joined their skills to drive innovation at the crossroads of content, media, networks and creativity.

Entries can be made at http://www.daretobedigital.com/220_Future-Internet-Games-Contest-.html until 10 June, with a £2000 prize for the winning web or mobile game – and potential opportunities to work with the Disney-led consortium.

Professor Kenny Mitchell, Research Lead at Disney Research, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for budding game developers and veterans alike across Europe to show their skills on a highly visible and important stage as part of our Future Internet Content project.”

The partnership between Abertay University and FI Content is to focus on the Pervasive Games platform, where the real world and internet experiences are playfully mixed together.

The platform focuses on multiplayer mobile gaming, using cutting-edge internet technology to enable large groups of people to play together, and moving games beyond playing on a console at home or remotely interacting with friends through social games.

Game developers are invited to think about how a mobile game can be an augmented version of the real world, offering play between real people that creates something more exciting and interactive for everyone.

Professor Louis Natanson, who leads computer games education at Abertay University, said: “Abertay University is delighted to work with Disney on the Future Internet Games Contest, and we look forward to seeing how game developers address this challenge.

“Games have incredible power to bring people together, to entertain and to change how we perceive the world around us.

“Future internet technologies, and the hugely powerful smartphones everyone carries with them, offer an unprecedented opportunity for designers and programmers to build entirely new ways for large groups of people to play together in the real world.”

The Future Internet Games Contest is led by Disney and associated partners in association with Abertay University.

This initiative aims at developing and experimenting across Europe cutting-edge ICT platforms devoted to applications and services in the emerging area of pervasive games for virtual and augmented reality.

For more information, and to apply, please visit http://www.daretobedigital.com/220_Future-Internet-Games-Contest.html

Train2Game News UK Top 20 Games – 10.03.14

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

The truth this week is the top spot has been stolen from Thief by South Park: Stick of truth. The rest of the charts stay very quiet with Forza Motorsport 5 making a return in to the top twenty at number sixteen.

All formats

Week ending 8 March 2014

POS.		TITLE	PUBLISHER	LAST WEEK
1		SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH	UBISOFT	–
2		THIEF	SQUARE ENIX	1
3		PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE	EA GAMES	4
4		THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	2
5		FIFA 14	EA SPORTS	3
6		CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	ACTIVISION	5
7		MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION	MICROSOFT	8
8		BATTLEFIELD 4	EA GAMES	6
9		LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	7
10		ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	UBISOFT	9
11		RAYMAN LEGENDS	UBISOFT	12
12		GRAND THEFT AUTO V	ROCKSTAR	11
13		NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS	EA GAMES	14
14		ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES	SEGA	17
15		WWE 2K14	2K SPORTS	19
16		FORZA MOTORSPORT 5	MICROSOFT	–
17		BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	18
18	–	LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	18
19		TOMB RAIDER: DEFINITIVE EDITION	SQUARE ENIX	15
20		GRAN TURISMO 6	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	15