Category Archives: Developer

Train2Game News: Unity for PlayStation Vita

Posted on by

unity-logoIn March 2013, Unity Technologies announced a partnership with Sony based on support for every single one of SCE’s PlayStation platforms, in addition to Unity for PlayStation 3.

Today, Unity announced that with Unity 4.3 they are releasing Unity for PlayStation Vita to the public.

Developers with a licensed developer agreement from SCE for PS Vita will now be able to deploy their game to PS Vita via the Unity engine and make use of platform-specific functionality including:

· Motion sensors

· Front and rear cameras

· Dual analog sticks

· Rear Touch pad

Furthermore, Unity for PS Vita will allow them to integrate the full suite of PSN features into their games, including Trophies, Friends and Matching functionality into your game.

Unity for PS Vita allows developers to develop their game once, without rewriting the code from scratch; simply build and run it on the PS Vita devkit. Not only that, developers can now create both 2D and 3D games with Unity 4.3, animate almost anything with the native animation system Mecanim, and implement awesome graphics.

Zoink! has just released their new game “Stick It To The Man” developed in Unity for both PS3 and PS Vita. Check out “Stick It To The Man” at http://www.stickitgame.com/

Train2Game News: New Android testing software

Posted on by

Intel SoftwareAppthwack is the new software to make testing Android games easier!

You’ve spent hours designing and coding your application and things are looking pretty good. But now you have another hurdle: ensuring your app is bug-free and operational. After all, a good user experience is central to having happy, content and engaged users.

Proper testing can be a challenge, however. There are testing services out there that can take care of this for you, but they usually charge by the minute incurring further development costs (and those costs are further dependent on how many devices you want to test on).

This is where the service AppThwack can be a lifesaver. Thanks to a partnership with Intel Developer Zone, the AppThwack service is provided completely free of charge for testing on Intel-based Android smartphones and tablets.

These tests are run on real, non-emulated devices and mean you can test your app on a wide range of devices you don’t have to own yourself. AppThwack will run a number different test processes including launch, stress tests and uninstalls and then outputs low-level logs, screenshots and performance data to show how well your app has performed on the corresponding devices.

As part of the partnership, the Intel Atom-based Android devices you can test for free on include:

Asus MeMO Pad FHD 10
Dell Venue 7
Dell Venue 8
Lenovo IdeaPhone K900
Motorola Droid RAZR i
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10

On the Intel Developer Zone there is a handy How-To Guide for AppThwack to get you started, which runs you through how to upload your application’s APK to the cloud service and schedule in your tests, as well as giving you a look at what sort of performance results you can expect.

Now there’s no excuse not to thoroughly test your APKs and ensure they run optimally on Intel hardware!

Source: Softalkblog sponsored by the Intel Developer Zone

Train2Game News: Train2Game Winners spreading

Posted on by

T2G WinnersFollowing the announcement of the Train2Game Winners website, the story was then picked up by Gamasutra and Develop.

The news of how great our students are doing is spreading around the internet which is fantastic news! The more recognition our students get the better.

If you would like to view the captures of the articles you can do below:

Train2Game Winners Launched

The links for the articles are below:

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/208061/Train2Game_Winners_Launched.php

https://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/train2game-winners-launched/0187808

If you would like to be featured on the website you can email your achievements and story to Harrycole@swanpr.co.uk

Train2Game News: UK Top 20 Games – 13.01.14

Posted on by

FIFA 14It’s the usual suspects in the charts again this week with just a bit of a shuffle around. FIFA 14 is still sitting at the number one spot.

All formats

Week ending 11 January 2014

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 – FIFA 14 EA SPORTS 1
2 – CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS ACTIVISION 2
3 BATTLEFIELD 4 EA GAMES 4
4 ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG UBISOFT 3
5 – GRAND THEFT AUTO V ROCKSTAR 5
6 LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 7
7 NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS EA GAMES 6
8 KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL SONY COMPUTER ENT. 14
9 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION MICROSOFT 8
10 ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES SEGA 15
11 JUST DANCE 2014 UBISOFT 9
12 FORZA MOTORSPORT 5 MICROSOFT 11
13 BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 12
14 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014 SEGA 17
15 WWE 2K14 2K SPORTS 14
16 DEAD ISLAND: RIPTIDE DEEP SILVER –
17 TOMB RAIDER SQUARE ENIX 19
18 DEAD RISING 3 MICROSOFT 13
19 NBA 2K14 2K SPORTS –
20 GRAN TURISMO 6 SONY COMPUTER ENT. 10
< 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: New Razer tech impresses at CES

Posted on by

Project ChristineRazer, the world leader in entertainment devices and software, took top honors at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for the third consecutive year with its modular PC concept Project Christine and the wearable Razer Nabu smartband.

Project Christine earned “Best PC” distinctions from Engadget, the official awards partner at CES. Concurrently, the Razer Nabu was selected as Engadget´s “People´s Choice” by way of an open public vote. This is the third year in a row that Razer walked away with a “Best of CES” win, including “People´s Voice” in 2012, and “Best of Show,” “Best Gaming” and “People´s Voice” in 2013.

“Razer is not just a gaming company – we are a company that designs products for gamers,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director. “Our continued success at CES really speaks to the gaming lifestyle as a global phenomenon. We´re just a start-up, but our worldwide community of gamers and what we do for them positions us shoulder-to-shoulder -albeit uniquely – with the largest tech companies in the world.”

Selected by Engadget´s editorial team, Project Christine is a revolutionary new PC concept design. It will allow a user to build and customize a computer without advanced technical knowledge – a PC for everyone. As new upgrades come to the market, the PC can be easily and quickly upgraded without assistance or the fear of incompatibility or obsolescence. Project Christine´s modular design allows users to select and install modules on-the-fly, whether it´s a CPU, GPU, or memory and storage configuration, all in a liquid-cooled environment. The result is an ultimately modular, upgradable and powerfully silent computer that can run on any operating platform.

Engadget´s People´s Choice of CES was awarded to Razer for its Nabu smartband, a product in an entirely new category for the company, built on an open platform that delivers smartphone notifications, collects physical data and communicates with other users´ bands, all from one´s wrist. The Nabu tracks fitness data, location, sleep data, and biometric information (such as distance traveled and stairs climbed), all on an opt-in basis. Additionally, the Razer Nabu incorporates a social component, offering band-to-band active and passive communication, so users can find nearby friends, mutual acquaintances and more.

The Razer Nabu won the Popular Mechanics Editor´s Choice Award, the Tom´s Guide Readers´ Choice Award, and the Digital Trend´s Best of CES in the Sports and Fitness category. Project Christine won Tom´s Hardware´s Best of CES in the Outside the Box category, and PCWorld and TechHive´s Best of CES Award in the Best Prototype category.

If you would like to know more about Razer and their products you can visit www.razerzone.com

Train2Game News: Valve Virtual Reality first look next week

Posted on by

Valve logo Train2Game blog imageValve is just days away from releasing its own virtual reality software development kit, according to studio game designer Brian Coomer.

Speaking to the BBC, Coomer said the SDK would offer developers a standard method to provide an interface for virtual reality controllers.

Valve is expected to showcase the SDK and release it during the Steam Dev Days Conference next week, which takes place between January 14 and 15.

It is believed Valve is working on its own virtual reality technology, but will also support the Oculus Rift.

“There’s also technology in development at Valve based around head-tracking and headset manufacture and design,” he says.

“We are working with other companies right now but we have not made any specific announcements.”

As well as a VR SDK, Valve is expected to release a new toolset to assist developers with the creation of games for its Steam Machines, which uses the SteamOS and a unique haptic controller.

Train2Game News: 2014 Train2Game Game Jam

Posted on by

Train2GameThe registration for the 2014 Train2Game Game Jam is now open! Places are limited so get booking as soon as possible.

This Game Jam will be a bit different as the details for the jam were decided by YOU! A vote took place on the Train2Game forum for how this jam will take place.

As with previous Train2Game Game Jams this will be a Forty Eight hour event and it will take place at the University of Bedfordshire, University Square, Luton, Bedfordshire, from 3pm on Friday 11 April 2014 until 7pm on Sunday 13 April 2014.

Where as with previous Game Jams there has been a specific platform for your games, this year the choice is yours! You can create your game for what ever platform you choose, just remember it must be within your capabilities to finish the game in the time limit!

The teams will have members of four to six and you can either set up a team with your friends or if you prefer allow our match maker service to put you in a team with similarly skilled people. You may bring your own equipment if you choose or there will be equipment provided.

The theme is always an important part of the weekend and there was a dead heat in the voting for how the theme works. At the start of the weekend a draw will be had to decide the outcome.

A small donation of £5 per person will be asked of you when you sign up at the desk on the weekend and all money that is collected will be donated to the great charity, SpecialEffect.

Registration is open now so come along, have fun, test your abilities, learn new skills and help charity! You can register at http://www.train2game-online.com/events/game_jam_april_2014.html

Train2Game News: SEGA announce Alien: Isolation

Posted on by

AlienSEGA of America, Inc., SEGA Europe, Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products announced Alien: Isolation.

A thrilling first-person survival horror experience that will focus on capturing the horror and tension evoked by Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic film. Developed by Creative Assembly, Alien: Isolation is due for release in late 2014 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC.

On a decommissioned trading station in the fringes of space, fear and panic have gripped the inhabitants. Players find themselves in an atmosphere of constant dread and mortal danger as an unpredictable, ruthless Xenomorph is stalking and killing deep in the shadows. Underpowered and underprepared, you must scavenge resources, improvise solutions and use your wits, not just to succeed in your mission, but to simply stay alive.

“In Alien: Isolation, we have taken the series back to the roots of Ridley Scott’s 1979 movie, the original survival horror,” said Alistair Hope, Creative Lead at Creative Assembly. “Our Alien is a truly terrifying creature, as intelligent as he is hostile, relentless, brutal and unstoppable. This is the Alien game fans of the series have always wanted.”

“Creative Assembly has created a truly incredible gaming experience, capturing perfectly the very core of what has made the Alien franchise remain relevant after 35 years,” said Jeffrey Godsick, president of Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products. “This partnership has led to the creation of a game that is simply outstanding and sets the tone for what is to come this year for the 35th anniversary of Alien.”

Throughout 2014, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products will be honoring the milestone 35th anniversary with a yearlong celebration marking the beginnings of the Alien legacy by releasing commemorative and fan-favorite products.

Train2Game News: Sony announce PlayStation Now

Posted on by

PlayStation NowSony announced PlayStation Now last night, a streaming game service that will allow people to play PS3 games on PS4, Vita, and Bravia TVs via cloud-based technology.

The service will first be available on PS3 and PS4, which should alleviate some criticisms of Sony’s latest console not being backwards compatible. Streaming games between Sony devices is only the beginning, however, as the company is aiming to expand into third-party hardware.

“Eventually the service will expand beyond PlayStation platforms and Sony devices, allowing users to stream PlayStation games on numerous other Internet-connected devices,” the console manufacturer explained in its announcement. “SCE’s vision for PS Now is to enable users to instantly enjoy a wide range of full games on the Internet-connected consumer electronics devices they use every day.”

The idea is that people will be able to play the same game on all their online devices and it will seamlessly transfer trophies, messages and save data. Intriguingly, Sony noted this service will be used to rent games, though it didn’t go into detail on exactly what the options will be for that.

“Gamers can rent by title for specific games they are interested in, or they can choose a subscription that delivers additional value with the ability to explore and play many games available across a wide variety of genres,” Sony stated.

“PS Now will allow users to engage in the world of PlayStation, whether they’re existing fans or have never owned a PlayStation platform,” said president and group CEO of SCE, Andrew House.

There’s still a lot we don’t know about PS Now but we do know it will increase the popularity of Sony if they can bring their back catalogue to smart phones and tablets as well.

Train2Game News: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas out now on Google Play

Posted on by

GTA San AndreasRockstar Games is proud to announce that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is now available for select Android and Amazon Kindle devices. Upon its original release, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas took the groundbreaking series to new heights, delivering three detailed cities and an entire state for players to roam.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas features a vast open-world covering the state of San Andreas and its three major cities – Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas. In addition to enhanced visual fidelity and over 70 hours of gameplay, the game has received several technical upgrades and has been specially tuned for use with mobile devices. Upgrades and enhancements for all mobile versions include:

  • Re-mastered, high-resolution graphics, including lighting enhancements, an enriched color palette and improved character models;
  • Context Sensitive Actions: automatically vault over low walls and objects;
  • Full suite of aiming options: auto-aim, free-aim, and touch targeting;
  • Dual analog stick controls for full camera and movement control;
  • Three different touch control schemes and customizable controls;
  • Physical controller support for compatible devices;
  • Cloud save support for Rockstar Social Club Members;
  • Updated checkpoint system.

Five years ago, Carl Johnson escaped from the pressures of life in Los Santos, a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs and corruption. Now it’s the early 90’s and Carl’s got to go home. His mother has been murdered, his family has fallen apart and his childhood friends are all heading towards disaster. On his return to the neighborhood, a couple of corrupt cops frame him for homicide. CJ is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is available for £4.99, and can be purchased on the Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore and the iOS App Store. Coming soon to Windows mobile devices.