Monthly Archives: September 2015

Train2Game News Gameloft Advertising Solutions

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Gameloft Advertising Solutions presents its new, innovative advertising formats: Minigame, FORM, SITE, as well as a new geolocation feature that matches advertising campaigns with users according to their location.

Armed with perfect knowledge of its consumers and its expertise in mobile platforms, Gameloft is proud to announce the launch of the following rich media mobile ad formats:

    Minigame: A fun and innovative format customized to offer a total immersion in the universe of the brand.

    FORM: An interstitial survey that allows clients to run customer recruitment campaigns and enhances their audience insights.

    SITE: A unique showcase highlighting a product/brand in a manner adapted to the mobile environment, with all of the features a website can offer: 360° product view, photo galleries, customization options, contact form, etc.

In addition to these new formats, Gameloft Advertising Solutions builds upon its targeting options that are already available (age, gender, mobile device and in-game surveys) with new features :

   – Geolocation which enables the delivery of ad contents tailored to a user’s physical location.

    -Leveraging mobile usage data to define specific consumer profiles (travelers, online shoppers, movie buffs, etc.).

In this manner, advertising campaigns delivered by Gameloft Advertising Solutions are even more adapted to consumers while ensuring advertisers an exceptional 100% visibility rate.

Owner of its inventory, Gameloft offers a brand safety environment, allowing advertisers to benefit from a perfectly controlled display context. Transparency being at the heart of advertiser relations, Gameloft Advertising Solutions is able to integrate independent tracking (Sizmek, PointRoll, DoubleClick, etc.) and visibility measurement (MOAT, Integral Ad Science) into formats that comply with IAB standards (MRAID 2.0/VAST 2.0).

With a monthly audience of over 172 million active players and an inventory of 9 billion mobile impressions, Gameloft Advertising Solutions offers a unique level of visibility and involvement to advertisers. To date, Gameloft Advertising Solutions has delivered over 300 campaigns for prestigious brands such as FOX, Samsung, McDonald’s, Coca Cola, Kellogg’s, Unilever, Netflix, Ford and Air France, in over 33 countries around the world (North America, Latin America, United Arab Emirates, Europe, Asia, etc.).

As part of its development, Gameloft Advertising Solutions will be further enriching its offer with the release of additional innovative ad formats over the coming months.

For more information about Gameloft Advertising Solutions, please visit the website: http://www.gameloft.com/advertising-solutions/

Train2Game News Meet Mario in London

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To commemorate the landmark anniversary of Nintendo’s best loved game Mario Bros, GAME will be hosting Charles Martinet, the iconic voice of Mario, at GAME Hamleys on Thursday 10th September.

Charles Martinet has voiced Mario since 1995, and also provided the voice for Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Toadsworth, Baby Mario and Baby Luigi among other legendary Nintendo characters.

GAME customers are in for a real treat as Mr Martinet will only be available at GAME to sign special anniversary edition Mario Bros posters and sleeves for fans at the following times:

    11:00 – 13:00
    14:00 – 16:00

Staff will also be plumbing away on the day taking photographs of fans meeting their Nintendo hero in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

GAME Hamleys is located in the basement of the Hamleys store on Regent Street, London. Gamers are encouraged to get there early to get involved.

For more information visit: www.game.co.uk or follow @GAMEHamleys1

Train2Game News Metal Hammer Roadkill

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Metal Hammer, the popular music magazine, has teamed up with TeamRock to create a music adventure mobile game.

Created by Metal Hammer and TeamRock, with music from Nuclear Blast, Metal Hammer: Roadkill is the action game metalheads around the world have always wanted.

Your task is to slay the beasts with your mighty hammer along to the rhythm of some of the biggest heavy metal bands on Earth including Sabaton, Immortal, Suicide Silence, Exodus and Epica!

There are thirteen bands in total to bludgeon your enemies to, so you better start exercising those thumbs!

Metal Hammer: Roadkill hits the Apple App Store on 15th October with an Android version to follow shortly.

Train2Game News Recreated ZX Spectrum launched

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The Recreated ZX Spectrum, the only authorised full-size recreation of the 5-million selling 1980s personal computer, launches today.

Built to the same dimensions and featuring the same 40 rubber keys, the recreated device mimics the look and feel of the original Sinclair ZX Spectrum to an uncanny degree and allows for the first time ever Spectrum games to be played authentically on any screen – tablet, phone or computer.

50 classic Speccy games, including Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy and Chuckie Egg, are bundled with the device at launch, with hundreds more available to download by the end of the year. For those who fancy writing their own games, Spectrum Basic is included too.

But the retro device isn’t just the perfect way to enjoy classics from a golden age in computer and video game history, it can also be used as a standard keyboard either wired or Bluetooth, allowing you to write emails or type documents quickly on your phone, tablet or computer with added retro chic.

It’s also the only keyboard that allows modern fast-twitch action games to played on iOS devices. Even Apple’s own keyboard can’t do this.

All the games and Spectrum Basic are included in an app that runs on your phone, tablet or computer. The app will be continually updated with new games and features, which means that the device is continually evolving.

Powered for hours by just two AA batteries, and featuring totally wireless connectivity, the retro device is truly portable allowing you to play wherever, whenever and on whatever screen you want.

Described by some as the “perfect Christmas present for dad this year”, the Recreated ZX Spectrum is the brainchild of one of the original pioneers of 8-bit gaming, Elite Systems, responsible for bringing arcade classics such as Commando, Paperboy and Bomb Jack to the original ZX Spectrum back in the 80s.

If you want to see it in action an entertaining 4-minute video introducing the device has been released today too.

And for those who want even more info, an 18-minute operating guide video intended to show new owners clearly and simply how to get the most from their new recreated device is available too.

The Recreated ZX Spectrum is available directly from Elite’s website www.recreatedzxspectrum.com or from its network of resellers. It has a recommended retail price of £99.

Train2Game News UK Top 20 Games – 07.09.15

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Metal gear solid phantom painKonami have taken the number one spot in the charts this week with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the long awaited sequel to the hit series. Second place sees another new game in the charts with the movie tie in, Mad Max.

All formats
Week ending 5 September 2015

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN KONAMI –
2 MAD MAX WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE –
3 GEARS OF WAR: ULTIMATE EDITION MICROSOFT 1
4 UNTIL DAWN SONY COMPUTER ENT. 2
5 DISNEY INFINITY 3.0 DISNEY INFINITY 3
6 – GRAND THEFT AUTO V ROCKSTAR 6
7 LEGO JURASSIC WORLD WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 5
8 – MINECRAFT: PLAYSTATION EDITION SONY COMPUTER ENT. 8
9 MINECRAFT: XBOX EDITION MICROSOFT 10
10 BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 9
11 MADDEN NFL 16 EA SPORTS 4
12 BATTLEFIELD HARDLINE EA GAMES 11
13 – DYING LIGHT WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 13
14 PROJECT CARS BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT –
15 FIFA 15 EA SPORTS 12
16 CALL OF DUTY: ADVANCED WARFARE ACTIVISION 14
17 DISHONORED: DEFINITIVE EDITION BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 7
18 THE LAST OF US: REMASTERED SONY COMPUTER ENT. 17
19 LITTLEBIGPLANET 3 SONY COMPUTER ENT. 16
20 DESTINY ACTIVISION 15
< previous week
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2015 UKIE Ltd

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 New Nintendo 3DS

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Nintendo Announces Two New Nintendo 3DS Systems Coming this Fall.

At the GameStop Managers Conference in Las Vegas, Nintendo announced that the New Nintendo 3DS system will launch in the U.S. as part of a special bundle on Sept. 25. The bundle includes the new hand-held system, the upcoming Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer game, two cover plates and one amiibo card at a suggested retail price of $219.99. The more compact New Nintendo 3DS system joins New Nintendo 3DS XL, which has been available since Feb. 13.

In addition, a Hyrule Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL system will launch exclusively in GameStop stores on Oct. 30 at a suggested retail price of $199.99, just in time for the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (sold separately) on Oct. 23. The system is gold-colored and features an intricate Hylian Crest on the front.

Other news revealed at the GameStop Conference included the debut of three new Wii Remote Plus controllers inspired by classic Mushroom Kingdom characters Bowser, Toad and Yoshi.

“More than 15 million systems in the Nintendo 3DS family have been sold in the U.S. alone,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “These new models offer additional fun ways to experience some of the great upcoming Nintendo 3DS games launching in the next few months.”

New Nintendo 3DS incorporates all the same enhanced features as the New Nintendo 3DS XL system, including a wider range of controls, face-tracking 3D and built-in NFC functionality that allows for communication with amiibo figures. The compact system also features interchangeable cover plates that can be easily swapped out to change the look of the device. Two cover plates inspired by Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer are included in the bundle.

Various amiibo cards launch with the Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer game on Sept. 25. Tapping compatible amiibo cards while playing Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer is a way to meet favorite Animal Crossing characters with their separate personalities and design requests in the game. People who own the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL or Nintendo 2DS systems can still use the cards to enjoy Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer by purchasing the Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer accessory at a suggested retail price of $19.99. The wireless accessory also launches on Sept. 25 and allows players to enjoy amiibo figures and cards on all other systems in the Nintendo 3DS family.

Joining previously released Wii Remote Plus controllers themed after Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach, three new controllers inspired by Bowser, Toad and Yoshi will launch exclusively at GameStop at a suggested retail price of $39.99 each. The Bowser and Toad controllers will launch alongside the Super Mario Maker game for the Wii U console on the 11th of September, while the Yoshi version will hop on the back of the Yoshi’s Woolly World launch on Oct. 16. Wii Remote Plus includes Wii MotionPlus technology, and works with all Wii and Wii U games that are compatible with Wii Remote controllers.

Bowser, the newest member of the Photos with Mario series of Nintendo eShop Cards, is coming this fall – exclusively at GameStop. Customers can add $10 to their Nintendo eShop accounts and get the new Bowser AR card at no additional cost. With the Bowser AR card, players can use their Nintendo 3DS systems to play and pose with Bowser and other Mushroom Kingdom characters in the free Photos with Mario app.

For more information about New Nintendo 3DS, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds/new-nintendo-3ds/.

Train2Game News HELP Real War is Not a Game

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Games are officially the new rock and roll as, two decades on from the iconic HELP album, game developers from across the globe are to pool their talents to create HELP: Real War is Not a Game, a unique compilation to raise funds for War Child
 
It was 20 years ago today… that Oasis, Blur, The Stone Roses, Paul Weller, Paul McCartney and many more got together to create HELP, the first in a series of award-winning albums, which raised more than £1.5m to fund War Child’s activities to protect children in the war-torn Balkans.

Now, two decades on, a star-studded line-up of game developers have announced their intention to follow in those musicians’ footsteps by uniting in a unique ‘studio game jam’ designed to help fund War Child’s ongoing activities in conflict-affected countries.

A traditional game jam is a gathering of game developers for the planning, design and creation of one or more games within a fixed time span. Game jams usually take place in a single location and last for a fixed period… normally between 24 and 72 hours. The HELP game jam will largely stick to those principles, but instead of having a fixed home it will take place in a variety of locations across the world and the teams involved will be allowed a total of six days to bring their creation from concept to completion, based on a brief provided by War Child.

The result of all of this international collaboration will be brought together as HELP: Real War is Not a Game, a compilation of games which will be made available to the general public to buy as a digital download early next year.
 
Studios which have already committed to participating include 343 Industries, A Brave Plan, Bossa Studios, Carbon Games, Creative Assembly, Curve Digital, Hardlight, Hinterland, Spilt Milk Studios, Sports Interactive, Team 17 and Torn Banner (who, between them, have sold well in excess of 100m games), with more announcements expected in the coming weeks. Major technology providers including Unreal, Gamemaker and Unity are also backing the project by providing their tools to the teams on a ‘no cost and royalty free’ basis.
 
“War Child’s work is amazing. It revolves around a simple premise… no child has started a war, so no child should be affected by one,” says Miles Jacobson, Studio Director at Sports Interactive and founder of the global games jam committee. “Whether it’s rehabilitating ex child soldiers in Democratic Republic of Congo, creating child helplines in Afghanistan, providing safe spaces for Syrian refugee children, or the work in so many other countries – wherever they are they make the world a better place for children forced to live with war. For so many studios to have got involved in this project at such an early stage is really humbling. I hope many more join the cause and get involved in something that will be fun, rewarding and make a huge difference in children’s lives across the world.”
 
“We’re incredibly excited about the launch of HELP: Real War is Not a Game. It’s been amazing to be part of this initiative which is set to raise vital funds for children whose lives have been torn apart by war,” says Rob Williams, Chief Executive Officer of War Child UK. “In the 20 years since the music industry came together to create the HELP album, we’ve seen new records for the numbers of children affected by conflict. Today, the gaming industry is changing the game, with exactly the kind of creative and collective response required to help War Child change more lives.”

The War Child games committee is Alex Chapman (Sheridans), Ciarán Brennan (Sports Interactive), Elisabeth Little (War Child), Imre Jelle (Bossa), John Clark (SEGA), Miles Jacobson (Sports Interactive), Rupert Loman (Gamer Network) and Stuart Saw (Twitch).

HELP: Real War is Not a Game will be released through Steam and other digital download platforms in late March 2016. For further information, keep an eye on http://www.warchild.org.uk/helpgame and War Child’s UK’s twitter, or email helpgame@warchild.org.uk .

War Child’s HELP campaign is seeking large-scale public support in the form of an online petition. For more information on the HELP campaign go to www.warchild.org.uk/help .

Train2Game News Cliffy B’s new game

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Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski has revealed LawBreakers, the debut game from his new studio Boss Key Productions.

An arena FPS set in 2105, LawBreakers will focus on gravity-defying cops and robbers which takes place after a moon-based experiment threw away the laws of physics.

There will be all manner of jetpacks, grappling hooks and gravity-manipulating devices. Bleszinski likened LawBreakers to the “ground is lava” game.

Bleszinski said the game’s three main pillars will be “gangs, guns and gravity” and there will be plenty of factions within both law enforcements and cartels. Each team will have the same classes and abilities, even if the characters look different depending on whether they’re cops or criminals.

He also noted that “half of our cast is female.”

LawBreakers will be a free-to-play game launching in 2016.

Train2Game News BFX Family Weekend

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Come along to the free Family weekend at BFX Festival The BFX Festival 2015 is hosting a free Family Weekend with workshops, films and more!

The BFX Festival has lined up a Family Weekend that includes film screenings, workshops and talks and lots of fun for all the family, and best of all its completely free.

From Saturday 3 to Sunday 4 October, the Family weekend is full of drop in events aimed at children between the ages of 5-18 years. Aiming to inspire the next wave of VFX, gaming and animation talent, there is a whole host of activities.

Walt Disney Animation studios have generously lent BFX a selection of concept art from the incredible animated feature film Big Hero 6. The exhibition will run from Tuesday 29th September until Sunday 11th October and will be displayed in the Bourne Lounge at the BIC.

There’s the opportunity to watch some of the best recent animation films, these include Big Hero 6, Frozen, How To Train Your Dragon 2 and SpongeBob SquarePants cartoons.

To get hands on with animation, there’s a fun workshop for children and families using stop motion animation techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to make an aeroplane, background elements and props using a variety of materials and learn the secrets of animation and the techniques used by the professionals.

There’s also the opportunity to create a 3D character with an academy award winning digital sculpting software tool, Zbrush, today it’s used in virtually every film that requires special effects work. Working in pairs you will be able to sculpt and paint your very own creation. Come along on both the Saturday and Sunday for ages 8-18.

There will be a Microsoft games station including X-Box and Minecraft as well as careers advice from Bournemouth University’s National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA) and STEMNET ambassadors.

To come along to any of the events, please register for a family ticket (note that this does not guarantee a space on the animation workshops). For more information on the BFX Festival, visit www.bfxfestival.com .

Train2Game News Star Wars Battlefront Beta

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Since Star Wars™ Battlefront™ was revealed in April at Star Wars™ Celebration, many have been asking if there would be a Beta. Today, EA are thrilled to finally be able to answer that question, and the answer is yes!

Coming early October to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and on Origin for PC, the Star Wars Battlefront Beta is a technical test and will feature Walker Assault on Hoth and a 40-player multiplayer battle featuring Rebels and the Empire. Walker Assault will give you the chance to play as two of the most iconic characters in the Star Wars™ universe: Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The Beta will also feature a Survival Mission on Tatooine, where you and a Rebel friend must fight back waves of Imperial forces.

In addition to those two modes, EA have announced a brand-new mode that will be available in the Beta, Drop Zone. More details on Drop Zone will be revealed in the weeks ahead.

As part of the Star Wars Battlefront Beta the Star Wars Battlefront Companion experience app was announced. Available during the Beta at www.StarWarsBattlefront.com, the Star Wars Battlefront Companion experience features the strategic card game Base Command, and lets you earn in-game Credits that unlock Star Cards, weapons, and more in Star Wars Battlefront. In addition to Base Command, the Companion app also lets Rebels and Imperials alike check game stats and progression, customize load-outs and appearance, connect with friends, and get notified when they’re playing Star Wars Battlefront – as well as gather intel on their stats and progression so you can see how you match up!

The Star Wars Battlefront Companion will be available on web and in the Apple App Store™ and Google Play™ store prior to the release of Star Wars Battlefront on November 17.

More info regarding the Star Wars Battlefront Beta will be revealed in the weeks ahead.