Category Archives: Developer

Train2Game News Roundish Squarish looking for staff

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Rounded SquarishA Train2Game student studio is looking for a Developer to join their team to take the studio to a new level.

Rounded Squarish have been together for 3 years and have taken the plunge and decided to make a go of turning the student studio into a professional one. The company are now fully registered through companies house and are now currently looking for a talented and enthusiastic programmer to join the team.

The studio are currently working digitally and this, for now at least, is going to be where all of the work is done. They do intend on meeting in person and after a few Skype meetings intend on organising this.

The first project that would be worked on with the new team member would be a small title called ‘Slinger: Monsters of the West’. This is an RTS Turret Defence type game with a splash of Rounded Squarish thrown in!

The player is placed into a world where the mythical land of monsters and the legendary era of the spaghetti western collide, fighting to defend their town and take back the west.

Development of the game is already under-way and several screenshots can be shown to give the potential staff an idea of what the studio is aiming to create.

They are initially looking to take it through to an early alpha stage within a short period of time and, following feedback, will look to persue it further, or continue onto other projects in the pipeline.

Ben Cooper of Roundish Sqaurish said “We are looking to this game as a way of getting to know the coder and see if they like working with us, and vice versa, and to find out if they share the same passion and enthusiasm as we do. That’s definitely the most important thing for us. We need to get on well with them and also to be able to rely on them. We also need to assess their abilities to ensure that they are at the right stage for where we want to take the games. We don’t want them feeling over (or under) whelmed by what we are trying to do.

We very much appreciate the early stage that we are at right now and that we may not get everything right and would love for any prospective team mates to appreciate this also. Unfortunately it does mean that, for now, the position is unpaid but we are really pushing to change this in the months to come!”

If anyone does want to get in touch, they can email Ben at:

ben@roundedsquarish.co.uk

You can follow the studio on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/RoundedSquarish

Train2Game News SpecialEffect help Ben back in the game

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SpecialEffectSpecialEffect, the gamers charity, have recently helped a young man named Ben to be able to play video games for the first time.

Ben, who has spinal muscular atrophy, never thought he’d be able to play video games. He’d found out about SpecialEffect online and told his parents, but they hadn’t said much. It turned out they’d subsequently arranged a visit to the charity in Oxfordshire without telling him, so one morning in April they took him for ‘a bit of a drive’ and an hour or so later, to his absolute surprise, he found himself in their games room.

“I’ve never played a proper computer game,” he said. “I’ve always watched my friends play. Games are important to me because I can’t go out and play football like other kids so I do it on a computer screen.”

Ben uses a joystick to drive his wheelchair and control his PC at home, so the dev team from SpecialEffect bluetoothed it to a laptop so it could act as the left gaming stick for games like FIFA and Grand Turismo. They also rigged up a selection of light-touch switches and connected them into the PlayStation via a couple of interfaces.

The end result is that Ben’s able to play on the PS3 for the first time ever, and he’s barrelling into a range of games including Gran Turismo, FIFA and Minecraft. The equipment he needs has been lent to him, and now he’s one very happy gamer.

“It’s good because I get the same amount of fun as they do. I can do everything on it and it’s amazing”

This is just one of many stories from an amazing charity that deserves continued support from as many people as possible.

You can view Ben’s story below

Train2Game News Google Play outnumbers iOS

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Google PlayGlobal Google Play downloads exceeded iOS App Store downloads by around 60 per cent last quarter, according to a new report.

According to the Q2 2014 Market Index from analyst App Annie, Google Play downloads shot up by 15 per cent compared to the same period in 2013.

The growth is apparently being driven by emerging markets, with Brazil, Thailand and India all seeing significant increases in Google Play downloads.

In India this is being helped by a large number of consumers switching to smartphones. The country climbed two spots to become the third biggest Google Play downloader during Q2 2014.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s market share in Google Play downloads doubled in the Sports category from Q1, partially thanks to the country’s hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The World Cup’s impact on the Sports category wasn’t limited only to Brazil – the entire category grew by 20 per cent, with notable increases in World Cup winner Germany, runner-up Argentina and the US.

China and Japan were the primary drivers of iOS revenue, which despite falling download numbers still managed to bring in 80 per cent more revenue than Google Play. The latter remains the largest country in terms of App Store and Google Play revenue combined, with games providing more than 90 per cent of the total figure.

Oliver Lo, EVP of marketing at App Annie, commented on India’s rise in the download charts: “The notion that ‘West is Best’ is holding less sway as Google Play and iOS App Store are being increasingly supported by emerging smartphone markets such as India and China.

“The fact that only 10 per cent of the Indian population is smartphone-enabled is an exciting prospect for app publishers looking for new markets to explore. We expect strong Google Play downloads combined with future smartphone adoption to help set the stage for rapid growth in India’s mobile app-related revenue by 2017.”

Source: MCV

Train2Game News VRTGO Conference

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VRTGOThe North East of England will be host to the first major VR conference in Europe on September 11 2014 at the Baltic Centre in Gateshead.

The conference will be looking at both entertainment, commerical and serious applications for Virtual Reality. In addition attendees will have the oppotunity to go hands on with both Sony’s Project Morpheus and the Oculus Rift.

The conference will look at where the future of VR is taking the entertainment and games industry and see what this cutting edge technology can do for serious applications for automotive, modelling, training, marketing etc.

There will be speakers from a number of different companies talking about the different features of VR and how it can be used to create new exciting experiences. Speakers from SCEE, CCP and Zerolight with plenty more that are yet to be announced.

An after-show party is planned which could be excellent for networking and discussing ideas with other like minded individuals.

So attend and witness the future of interactive entertainment first hand. You can sign up using the eventbrite link here.

Train2Game News Your Beautiful Game Shortlist

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After receiving hundreds of nominations via the ‘Your Beautiful Game’ microsite, Turtle Beach has collated the votes and created a shortlist of the community’s favourite games.

The following list contains the top video games that fans have passionately campaigned to be included in the final poll to be crowned the best game of all time.

The Top 15 Beautiful Games

    Borderlands 2
    Call of Duty: Ghosts
    Dwarf Fortress
    Far Cry 3
    FIFA 14
    Final Fantasy X
    Grand Theft Auto V
    Halo 3
    Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
    Pac Man
    Resident Evil
    Super Mario Galaxy
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
    The Last of Us
    The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

From now until July 18th, gamers can vote via http://yourbeautifulgame.com/ for the one game in the shortlist that they feel deserves the title of the true “Beautiful Game.”

As an added incentive everyone who votes in the poll will also be in with a chance to win a Turtle Beach gaming headset.

Voting and full terms and conditions are available at http://yourbeautifulgame.com/

Train2Game News Videogames writers guild chair filled

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Steve InceFollowing the Guild’s AGM on Friday July 4 2014, games writer Steve Ince has now taken up the position of chair of the Videogames Committee within the organisation, a position he is proud to take up and hopes it encourages more game writers to join the Guild.

Steve says:
“I joined the Guild two years ago because I believe it’s important to be part of a strong organisation that works in the interests of professional writers and, by extension, those writers who wish to become so.

“As a professional game writer I not only want to help shape the direction of writing within games with the work I do, but also be a part of how game writers are perceived by the wider writing community and within the game development industry.

“With this in mind I put myself forward for the Videogames position within the Writers’ Guild which was confirmed at the recent AGM, for which I’m very honoured.

“As a first step in this new position I’d like to invite all eligible game writers to consider joining the Guild, details of which are on the Guild website.

“Game writers, like most other scribes, can feel a little isolated at times, so being part of an organisation with such a rich history will give you a place in a strong community of creative individuals from every part of the writing spectrum.

“Previous holders of this position have done a fantastic job to date and I hope I can match that, particularly as there’s still a lot to do in respect to what the Guild means for game writers.  By joining or becoming part of the discussion, game writers can help give direction in a field that is evolving faster than all others.

“I welcome comments, questions and suggestions on anything related to the game writing side of the Guild, including membership enquiries, and look forward to hearing from you.

“I hope to achieve something positive for both the Guild and game writing while in this position.”

Train2Game News From Bytes to Boxed

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Sold OutSold Out Sales & Marketing Limited, one of the UK’s leading publishers of boxed titles, claims that many independent developers are missing out on substantial amounts of additional revenue by ignoring traditional routes to market.

The firm – which recently announced a partnership with Team17 Digital Limited to bring its forthcoming digital titles to retail – is now actively seeking new publishing opportunities which can generate an additional tranche of revenue for the developer.

In the case of high-profile digital releases, many mainstream publishers have forecast that their digital revenues may be as little as nine per cent of their boxed income. Microsoft’s decision to keep boxed as part of their Next-Gen strategy indicates that even where a business intends to be primarily digitally focused, retail earnings are still very key in the revenue streams.

“Digital publishing has proved a fertile ground for innovative, lean independent developers – but many are ignoring additional opportunities – which is leaving that cash on the table,” says James Cato, Sales Director at Sold Out.

“Whilst the digital marketplace is undoubtedly convenient for indie developers, we’re able to very quickly and easily open up routes to traditional markets, reaching players who prefer to build physical collections – or those who remain fearful of purchasing online.”

In the latter half of 2014, Sold Out will bring at least seven new titles to retail – including some of the highest-profile digital releases of the year. More information will be revealed at a later stage. These titles will be in addition to Sold Out’s own digital releases across PC and home consoles.

“We’re actively seeking new partners,” adds James Cato. “We’re as simple to work with as it comes: getting your games into shops requires very little additional manpower, and we’re not interested in owning anyone’s IP or digital revenues, all we offer is additional profits and access to a traditional market – literally every sale we make is a bonus to our partners.”

For more information in working with Sold Out, please contact sales@soldout.uk.com / +44 (0)203 405 4585

Train2Game News UK Top 20 Games – 14.07.14

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Watch DogsYet another week in the charts with no new games in the top twenty. Watch Dogs has managed to regain the top spot but apart from that there has been very little change.

All formats

Week ending 12 July 2014

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 WATCH DOGS UBISOFT 2
2 SNIPER ELITE 3 505 GAMES 1
3 – FIFA 14 EA SPORTS 3
4 WOLFENSTEIN: THE NEW ORDER BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 5
5 TITANFALL EA GAMES 4
6 – CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS ACTIVISION 6
7 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION MICROSOFT 10
8 MINECRAFT: PLAYSTATION 3 EDITION SONY COMPUTER ENT. 9
9 TOMODACHI LIFE NINTENDO 11
10 BATTLEFIELD 4 EA GAMES 15
11 GRAND THEFT AUTO V ROCKSTAR 13
12 EA SPORTS UFC EA SPORTS 7
13 ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG UBISOFT 14
14 THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 17
15 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL EA SPORTS 8
16 MARIO KART 8 NINTENDO 12
17 PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE EA GAMES 20
18 – TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE DARK SPARK ACTIVISION 18
19 – LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 19
20 GRID AUTOSPORT CODEMASTERS 16
< previous week
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2014 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 Cliffy B’s new game

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Project_BluestreakBosskey Games plans to partner with Korean online games publisher Nexon to create the title, Bleszinski announced on his Twitter account.

Friends, @BossKey will be working with Nexon to publish a Free2Play Sci-Fi PC arena shooter code named #BlueStreak. #BossKey #UnlockTheFun— Cliff Bleszinski (@therealcliffyb) July 8, 2014

He added that the studio will not release a “fake CG trailer showing ‘Gameplay’ because that’s not how Bosskey does it.”

Guerrilla Games co-founder Arjan Brussee has joined Bosskey as its chief operating officer. Brussee and Bleszinski collaborated on the Jazz Jackrabbit platformer series.

Back in December, Bleszinski told press that he wants to make a “proper” arena shooter. “It will be a PC experience that will harken back to a certain type of game that we cut our teeth on,” he said. “A first-person shooter. It’s in my DNA.

“I want to get funding, I don’t want to do a Kickstarter. I’ve shown [the project] to various parties, and there are nibbles,” he added.

Source: CVG

Train2Game News 2014 Develop Award Winners

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Develop Awards 2014Games development stars from around the UK and Europe descended upon Brighton tonight to honour the winners of this year’s Develop Industry Excellence Awards.

More than 175 companies attended the event – the biggest attendance yet for these awards. The expanded array of 25 prizes went to 20 different companies, with Rockstar North the big winners of the night.

The Grand Theft Auto developer took home the special Studio of the Year prize – one of five new categories – as well as Visual Arts and In-House Studio. There was an extra gong for the seminal GTA V, with Faceware Technologies bagging the award for Creative Contribution: Visuals thanks to its work on Rockstar’s epic.

The full list of winners can be seen below.

Sony also fared well, with the platform holder and its studios picking up two awards – Publishing Hero and New IP (for Media Molecule’s Tearaway) – as well as the Development Legend award for PS4 lead architect Mark Cerny, as announced earlier in the summer.

There were also a few surprises on the night, most notably the special Services to Video Games prize, which was awarded to Lynne Kilpatrick for her hard work in pushing for the UK video games tax credits.

Other winners included Oculus VR, EA DICE, TT Games, Unity, Team17, Vlambeer, Space Ape Games and Abertay University’s Dare to be Digital.

DEVELOP AWARDS 2014: THE WINNERS

NEW GAMES IP

Tearaway – Media Molecule

USE OF A LICENCE OR IP

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes – TT Games

VISUAL ARTS

Grand Theft Auto V – Rockstar North

AUDIO ACCOMPLISHMENT

Battlefield 4 – EA DICE

MUSICAL COMPOSITION

‘Noise Pulse’ (from TxK) – Jamie Hamshere

USE OF NARRATIVE

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons – Starbreeze Studios

PUBLISHING HERO

SCE Strategic Content

TECHNICAL INNOVATION

Oculus Rift DK2 – Oculus VR

TOOLS – DESIGN & CREATIVITY

Maya LT – Autodesk

TOOLS – PRODUCTION

Perforce – Perforce Software

ENGINE

Unity Engine – Unity Technologies

SERVICE

Player Research

QA & LOCALISATION

Testology

CREATIVE CONTRIBUTION: AUDIO

Stafford Bawler – Monument Valley

CREATIVE CONTRIBUTION: VISUALS

Faceware Technologies – Grand Theft Auto V

RECRUITER

OPM Response

TALENT INVESTMENT

Dare To Be Digital – Abertay University

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Team17

MICRO STUDIO

Vlambeer

INDEPENDENT STUDIO

Bohemia Interactive

IN-HOUSE STUDIO

Rockstar North

NEW STUDIO

Space Ape Games

SPECIAL AWARDS
STUDIO OF THE YEAR

Rockstar North

DEVELOPMENT LEGEND

Mark Cerny

SERVICES TO VIDEO GAMES

Lynne Kilpatrick