Train2Game News Arena of Fate announced

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Step into the shoes of legendary heroes from history and fantasy and lock horns in “Arena of Fate”; an action-packed online multiplayer game coming to PC and consoles soon from Crytek.

Featuring fast-paced 5 vs. 5 battles, Arena of Fate expands Crytek’s range of Games-as-a-Service, and will be playable for the first time at this year’s E3 expo in Los Angeles. Players will be free to choose from a huge roster of famous characters before engaging in star-studded skirmishes with fresh gameplay twists.

Among the iconic figures in Arena of Fate are the likes of Frankenstein, Jack the Ripper and Baron Münchhausen. Tap into their famed traits in battle as you bring Frankenstein back from the dead, use Jack’s cleavers to gruesome effect, and launch across the map on Baron Münchhausen’s cannonball!

Managing Director of Crytek Black Sea and Game Director of Arena of Fate, Vesselin Handjiev, said: “Imagine Joan of Arc and Robin Hood cooperating to hunt down Little Red Riding Hood – Wouldn’t that be terrific? But besides the game’s iconic heroes, which everyone in the team really loves, we are also challenging ourselves to carefully craft a streamlined player experience that allows for both greater accessibility, and rich, deep, action-packed gameplay. We are very excited to meet the first wave of players in the arena this summer, and will be listening carefully to the feedback we receive and making the community’s contribution a key part of our efforts to perfect the fun.”

The game is being developed by Crytek’s Sofia studio, which was established in 2008 following Crytek’s acquisition of Black Sea Studios. Originally founded in 2001, Black Sea Studios made their name with critically acclaimed real-time strategy game “Knights of Honor” and sci-fi online RTS/RPG hybrid, “WorldShift”.

Arena of Fate is scheduled to enter Early Access Beta testing on PC this Summer and players can sign up for a chance to get in on the action at http://www.arenaoffate.com.

You can enjoy the teaser trailer for the game below

Train2Game News Evolve gets a release date

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

2K and Turtle Rock Studios, creators of the cooperative shooter classic Left 4 Dead, today announced that their upcoming multiplayer shooter experience Evolve will be released globally on October 21, 2014.

Evolve expertly blends cooperative and competitive multiplayer experiences as a team of four hunters face off against a single, player-controlled monster. Set on an alien planet in the distant future, players hunt their prey in adrenaline-pumping 4v1 matches. Evolve includes multiple monsters, hunters, game modes, and more than a dozen maps, providing gamers with incredible gameplay variety and nearly limitless replayability.

Playing as the monster you can use savage abilities and an animalistic sense to kill your human enemies, or choose one of four hunter classes (Trapper, Support, Assault and Medic) and team up to take down the beast on the planet Shear, where flora and fauna act as an adversary to man and monster alike.

Earn your infamy on the leaderboards and become the apex predator.

The game will be available for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system and PC. Everyone who pre-orders Evolve from participating retailers will receive the Monster Expansion Pack, which includes the Savage Goliath skin at launch, and a new monster character when available after Evolve is released.

You can enjoy the trailer for the game below

Train2Game News GTA V devs on rich brits list

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Dan and Sam Houser have been named among the 1,000 wealthiest Britons, along with a number of other notable games industry names.

The list was compiled and published in The Sunday Times, as spotted by Polygon. The Houser brothers, best known for co-founding Grand Theft Auto firm Rockstar Games, were ranked at No.947, with a combined fortune of £90m ($151m).

However, the richest games industry entry to the list is Mel Morris from Candy Crush Saga creator King. Morris reached No.238 on the list with wealth of £407m ($684m).

This is the first time in six years that The Sunday Times has run its wealthiest Brit list, raising the minimum value of entrants from £80m to £85m.

The Housers’ latest title Grand Theft Auto V made $1bn after just three days on sale when it was released in September.

The games industry is ever growing and I imagine we will see more and more UK games industry personal appearing on the list in the future.

Source: Develop

Train2Game News Batman Arkham Knight Trailer

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment have debuted the first gameplay video from Batman: Arkham Knight.

The Official Batman: Arkham Knight Gameplay Trailer – “Evening the Odds” showcases Scarecrow’s return to Gotham City as he schemes to unite the Rogues Gallery and destroy Batman once and for all. As the citizens flee and criminal gangs take control, the Dark Knight evens the odds by taking to the streets in the legendary Batmobile to ignite the fight that will decide the future of the city that he is sworn to protect.

In the explosive finale to the Arkham series, Batman faces the ultimate threat against the city he is sworn to protect. The Scarecrow returns to unite an impressive roster of super villains, including Penguin, Two-Face and Harley Quinn, to destroy The Dark Knight forever. Batman: Arkham Knight introduces Rocksteady’s uniquely designed version of the Batmobile, which is drivable for the first time in the franchise. The addition of this legendary vehicle, combined with the acclaimed gameplay of the Batman Arkham series, offers gamers the ultimate and complete Batman experience as they tear through the streets and soar across the skyline of the entirety of Gotham City.

You can enjoy the incredible trailer for the game below.

Train2Game News SpecialEffect TwinTown Challenge

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

On May 23rd 2014 over 50 cars costing less than £500 will leave games charity SpecialEffect’s Oxfordshire HQ to tackle historic racing circuits including Brands Hatch and Le Mans in the SpecialEffect Twin Town challenge.

Leamington Spa based developer Playground Games is supporting the charity by becoming track sponsor, bringing the charity closer to their target of raising £100K from the event.

In addition to the support of Playground teams from Exient, SEGA, GamaJun, Atomhawk, Four Door Lemo and Audiomotion are also joining the weekend’s motoring mayhem to support Special Effect’s innovative work for disabled gamers – check out some of the inspiring videos here.

Across the Twin Town Challenge weekend teams will take part in fun challenges including car boxing; laps of Brands Hatch and Le Mans; a James Bond themed evening and an auction for incredible, once-in-a-lifetime prizes covering golf, motorsport, music, beer and cricket as well as unique celebrity-signed signed bottles of Hobgoblin ale brewed exclusively for the event.

Trevor Williams, COO for Playground Games said, “Associating Playground Games and Forza Horizon with this challenge was a no brainer – although I suspect the cars in Forza are somewhat more presitigious than half the bangers being driven between the Twin Towns! Special Effect is a fantastic charity run by fantastic people that changes people’s lives for the better. Playground is honoured to support such a great organisation.”

Dr Mick Donegan, Founder and CEO added, “The sponsorship and support from Playground Games is a huge boost to the event as we edge ever closer to setting off for the these historic tracks. I would like to thank Trevor and the team for their amazing support”

To bid on some ‘Once in a Lifetime’ experiences including British Grand Prix VIP with Eddie Jordan, Paul McGinley Algarve Golf & Luxury Villa, Oxford United FC Chairman for the Day and much more, in the Twin Town Auction contact Nick@specialeffect.org.uk by May 22nd

Train2Game News New Wolfenstein released

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company, today announced that Wolfenstein: The New Order, the first-person action-adventure shooter, is now available in North America, Europe and Australia.

Wolfenstein: The New Order, a reimagining of the franchise widely credited for helping establish the first-person shooter genre, is available for Xbox One and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, PlayStation4 and PlayStation3 computer entertainment systems, and Windows PC.

Developed by MachineGames, a studio comprised of a seasoned group of developers recognized for their work creating critically-acclaimed story-driven games, Wolfenstein: The New Order offers a deep game narrative packed with action, adventure and first-person combat.

Set in an alternate version of the 1960s, players take on the role of war hero B.J. Blazkowicz. After awakening from a 14-year coma he discovers that the Nazi’s, armed with a mysterious advanced technology, have won World War II, and now rule the world with an iron fist. With the help of a small group of resistance fighters, players trek across Europe on a personal mission to bring down the Nazi war machine that has conquered Earth – and beyond.

“At MachineGames we grew up playing Wolfenstein 3D and developing Wolfenstein: The New Order has been an honor and is our love letter to id Software,” said Jens Matthies, creative director at MachineGames. “We set out to create an immersive, story-driven game that captures the incredible action and excitement the series is known for. We’re thrilled that players can now meet the unforgettable cast of characters we created and hope they have as much fun playing the game as we did making it.”

You can enjoy the trailer for the game below

MUST BE EIGHTEEN TO WATCH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHn6jbK7RE4

Train2Game News Next Gen Worms

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Veteran independent developer and publisher Team17 is proud to see its award-winning franchise make its debut on the next generation of consoles, having seen it already appear on over twenty-five other platforms since the series introduction back in 1995.

Worms Battlegrounds is making its way on to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 and will be available both via digital download and as a boxed copy at certain retailers on the 30th May 2014. While US PlayStation fans will be able to get their hands on Worms Battlegrounds as a digital download from the PlayStation Store on the 3rd June.

Worms Battlegrounds will be the among the first titles to be released under ID@Xbox, Microsoft’s new program enabling independent game developers of all sizes to produce and self-publish games digitally on Xbox One, of which Team17 are an ambassador.

Worms Battlegrounds features:

•         25 single player story missions
•         10 ‘Worm‐Ops’ time attack missions
•         5 environments: Inca, Viking, Feudal Japan, Industrial Revolution and Prehistoric with day to night lighting transitions
•         Multiplayer Deathmatch and Fort modes with online and local multiplayer for up to four players
•         Stunning graphics and gameplay running at 1080p 60fps
•         Landscape editor
•         Clan support including clan emblem editor
•         65 weapons and utilities including 10 outrageous new items: Mega Mortar, Gravedigger, Winged Monkey, Oxygen, Worm Charm, Bovine Blitz, Whoopsie Cushion, Teleport Gun, Aqua Pack and The Equalizer
•         Physics based contraptions
•         Over 200 individual customisation items for the worms
•         DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller’s light bar dynamically changes colour depending on your worm’s scenario. Watch as the light car glows red for attacks and explosions, blue when your worm is submerged in dynamic water and green to indicate that your worm is poisoned (PS4 version only)
•         Weapon Gestures. Assign up to four weapons for quick select using the DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller’s Touch Pad (PS4 version only)
•         Companion website. Keep track of your stats on the go! (PS4 version only)
•         SmartGlass companion app. Keep track of your stats on the go! (Xbox One version only)

Worms Battlegrounds is due for a 30th May release for Xbox One and PS4 (EU) and will be available both via digital download and as a boxed copy at certain retailers.

Train2Game News YouTube to buy Twitch

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

The Twitch broadcasting service is reportedly being bought by YouTube for for than $1 Billion according to a report.

Twitch is a popular video streaming platform that allows players to broadcast themselves and their gameplay over the internet. The company has seen massive success over the past few years, with Sony and Microsoft opting to integrate Twitch streaming and viewing functionality natively into the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

In its first week of streaming the Xbox One Twitch app hosted over 108,000 unique broadcasters, accounted for 22 per cent of the game streaming service’s total broadcaster base. In December 2013, following the PlayStation 4’s launch, 20 per cent of all Twitch streamers were broadcasting from PS4 systems.

In May 2013, Twitch reported its unique monthly viewership was over 34 million users. In addition to platform holders, the company has entered into partnerships with a number of the industry’s biggest publishers including Ubisoft, EA, Activision and Sony Online Entertainment.

Speaking to Variety, sources familiar with the deal have suggested the Google subsidiary will purchase Twitch “all-cash” and that the announcement is expected to be made imminently.

Source: CVG

Train2Game News UK Top 20 Games – 19.05.14

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Another slow week in the charts this week with FIFA and Titanfall shuffling around again at the top. Minecraft for PlayStation 3 has entered the charts at number three just ahead of it’s Xbox 360 counterpart. Further down the chart Nintendo’s Kirby: Triple Deluxe has come in at number sixteen.

All formats
Week ending 17 May 2014

POS.		TITLE	PUBLISHER	LAST WEEK
1		FIFA 14	EA SPORTS	2
2		TITANFALL	EA GAMES	1
3		MINECRAFT: PLAYSTATION 3 EDITION	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	–
4	–	MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION	MICROSOFT	4
5	–	2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL	EA SPORTS	5
6	–	CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS	ACTIVISION	6
7		THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2	ACTIVISION	3
8		THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	7
9		BATTLEFIELD 4	EA GAMES	8
10		GRAND THEFT AUTO V	ROCKSTAR	13
11	–	PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE	EA GAMES	11
12		LEGO THE HOBBIT	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	9
13		LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	10
14	–	INFAMOUS: SECOND SON	SONY COMPUTER ENT.	14
15	–	METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES	KONAMI	15
16		KIRBY: TRIPLE DELUXE	NINTENDO	–
17	–	ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG	UBISOFT	17
18		THIEF	SQUARE ENIX	16
19		BOUND BY FLAME	FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE	12
20		BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS	WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE	18

< 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 Unreal 4.2 rolls out vehicle support

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Train2Game Blogger Team

Work continues on Epic Games’ latest iteration of the powerful Unreal Engine with the 4.2 update adding vehicles, camera animations and more.

The new features included in the update were revealed via the Unreal Engine Twitch feed and posted on the tech’s official site.

One of the major addition is full support of vehicles, encompassing four-wheel drive, front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive vehicles. While the default drive train simulations assumes a vehicle has 4 wheels, any number of wheels will work.

There is even an automobile template to get developers starting on making their own cars or other forms of transportation. To demonstrate how vehicles work in Unreal Engine 4, a sample vehicle game based around off-road racing will be made available for free on the UE Marketplace when 4.2 goes live.

Also on the Marketplace will be a sample of stylised rendering, showcasing the flexibility of Epic’s new engine. This will also be free.

Meanwhile support for camera animations has also been added to the development platform. Building on the CameraAnims established in UE3, UE4 expands on the system with Blueprint support and the ability to use up to eight animations at once.

You can find a full list of the new additions, which also include user-defined Blueprint structures and animation debug features at www.unrealengine.com.

Unreal Engine was launched back in March, with Epic Games announcing the development platform would be available for just $19 per month.