Category Archives: Developer

Train2Game News: Danny looks back at his favourite interviews in his final day as Blog Editor

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After over two years in the role of Train2Game Blog Editor, I’m leaving for pastures new after accepting a job at a major publisher based in London.

This role has allowed me to attend industry events including Develop Conference, Eurogamer and Gamescom as well as enabling me to interview some of the biggest names in game development.

With this being my final day with Train2Game, it’s a great time to revisit some of my personal favourite interviews from my time in the role of Blog Editor.

 26th August 2011 – RAGE Creative Director Tim Willits

Speaking to me at Gamescom, the i D Software boss talked about creating RAGE, his role as creative director and the huge benefits of modding to those looking to break into the games industry.

2nd September 2011 – Far Cry 3 Narrative Director Jason Vandenberghe

An interview recorded at Gamescom, in which Jason talks about game design in Far Cry 3, using motion capture technology and actors, improvements for Far Cry 3 and more.

27th September 2011 – Valve writer Chet Faliszek

Speaking to us Eurogamer Expo, Chet discusses development of CS: GO, beta testing and modding.

31st October 2011 – Deus Ex: Human Revolution writer James Swallow

In a huge interview, James Swallow talks writing Deus Ex: Human Revolution, game design, what makes a good games writer and more.

14th November 2011 – Brink Lead Writer Ed Stern

Splash Damage’s Ed Stern spoke to us in-depth about the design and art of Brink, narrative in games, what makes a good designer and breaking into the games industry.

24th November 2011 – Bioware co-founders Dr. Ray Muzyka & Dr. Greg Zeschuk

Recorded before the BioWare Lecture at BAFTA, Muzyka and Zeschuk talked about games as art, the history of BioWare and how they transitioned from working in medicine to working in game development.

22nd February 2012 – Remedy Head of Franchise Development Oskari Häkkinen

Oskari Häkkinen talks game design and development of Alan Wake, life at Remedy and digital distribution, among other things.

27th March 2012 – SoulCalibur V game director Daishi Odashima

Speaking to The Train2Game Blog at a SoulCalibur V tournament, Odashima discusses development of SoulCalibur V , the importance of community feedback and what makes a good game designer.

July 11th 2012 – QA Veteran and Cheat Mode Author Dan Jacobs

In what must be the longest Train2Game Blog interview, Dan Jacobs talks about his book, Cheat Mode, QA Testing, life in the industry and much more.

20th July 2012 – Ian Livingstone OBE

In my final piece for The Train2Game Blog, Ian Livingstone discusses Make Something Unreal Live, Fighting Fantasy, what makes a good game developer and more.

Thank you to everyone who has read The Train2Game Blog over the last two years, commented on here, or on the Train2Game forum. Be sure to keep reading The Train2Game Blog for more great insight into the industry once my successor takes over in the role of Editor.

Danny Palmer – Train2Game Blog Editor April 2010-July 2012

As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum

Train2Game News: The three most important things in a game are “gameplay, gameplay, gameplay” – Ian Livingstone

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Gameplay, gameplay and gameplay are the three most important things for a video game to have.

That’s the view of games industry legend and co-author of the Fighting Fantasy series Ian Livingstone OBE who was speaking to The Train2Game Blog at Develop Conference 2012.

“You’ve got to create a strong storyline, a great narrative, have a great a great emotional engagement.” said Livingstone.

“But above all, with a game, the gameplay has to be fantastic because people will always buy a game which has great gameplay and poor graphics over something which has great graphics and poor gameplay.” he continued, emphasising the important of gameplay over graphics.

“So when people ask what are the three most important things in a game? I will say gameplay, gameplay, gameplay.”

Livingstone also suggested that being original and creative are key factors in becoming a successful game developer.

“Be true to yourself, do something that you want to do, make something original, be creative, express yourself in your own way and hopefully you’ll find an audience that appreciates what you’do.” he said.

“If you spend your life copying other people, I suspect that will never lead to monetary success and nor will it satisfy your soul. So, be true to yourself, that’s the most important thing you can do.” the Fighting Fantasy author added.

Ian Livingstone was one of a number of industry figures who aided in mentoring Train2Game students taking part in Make Something Unreal Live last April. The Games Workshop co-founder said he was “delighted” to be part of the initiative, which saw teams creating games based on Fighting Fantasy novels.

The full interview with Ian Livingstone, covering everything from Fighting Fantasy, to game design and Make Something Unreal Live will be published later today.

In the meantime, there’s more Ian Livingstone news here on The Train2Game Blog, while you can also catch up with last week’s Develop Conference coverage.

Do you agree with Livingstone that gameplay is by far the most important thing in making a good game?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or here on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: L.A. Noire production designer Simon Wood to host BAFTA masterclass

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L.A. Noire Cole Phelps Train2Game blog image

L.A. Noire production designer Simon Wood is hosting a BAFTA masterclass at the end of this month, giving you the chance to learn about game design, art & animation and more from the BAFTA-nominated former Rockstar man.

He’ll also be discussing his role on projects including The Getaway and L.A. Noire in what would be a very interesting event for Train2Game students to attend.

“Simon started as an Industrial designer before crossing over into films and working on The Phantom Menace, Tomorrow Never Dies and Thunderbirds. He then settled in as the Production Designer at Sony Europe (PlayStation) on The Getaway series.”

“Haven spoken extensively at conferences around the world, Simon will be describing his role on projects and then discussing ‘good art’, ‘good design’ and the creative processes as a whole.” reads the statement from BAFTA.

BAFTA Masterclass: Multiplatform Production Design with LA Noire BAFTA-Nominee Simon Wood takes place from 19:00 on Tuesday 31st July at The Hospital Club in central London. For more information, and to buy tickets, visit the BAFTA website.

There’s more about L.A. Noire and its impressive motion-captured facial animation here on The Train2Game Blog, while be sure to keep reading for the latest from BAFTA.

Will you be attending the production design masterclass?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

BAFTA’s public events and online resources bring you closer to the creative talent behind your favourite games, films, and TV shows. Find out more at www.bafta.org/newsletter,www.facebook.com/bafta or twitter.com/baftagames

Train2Game News: Valve on free-to-play – “It’s making a new, different thing for talented folks to explore”

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Free-to-play is as good thing for game developers and consumers, because it allows both to try out a wider variety of things. That’s the view of Valve Director of Business Development Jason Holtman

“The neat thing about our industry now is you’re going to have all of those things happen and customers will have, not choices among them as if, like, I’m a free-to-play player and therefore I don’t play games like Counter-Strike and Skyrim and Minecraft. That’s not true.” he told Eurogamer in an interview at Develop Conference 2012.

“Everybody plays all of those. People play their RPGs. They play social games. They play F2P games. That’s what’s exciting about it. They don’t have to replace each other. It’s making a new, different thing for talented folks to explore.” Holtman added.

The huge interview is definitely worth reading, giving readers a massive insight into the business behind Steam and life at Valve.  Read it over on Eurogamer.

There’s more on the growing trend of free-to-play here on The Train2Game Blog, while be sure to keep reading for the latest news from Valve.

What are your thoughts on free-to-play? Do you agree with Valve in it offers more avenues for exploration?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: Black Ops II’s story “is better than most movies” says writer David S. Goyer

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Call of Duty: Black Ops II’s story is better than that of many films. That’s according to game writer David S. Goyer – co-author of The Dark Knight Rises – speaking in a brand new behind the scenes video from Treyarch and Activision.

“Even though it’s a first person shooter, it’s got to be sophisticated, it’s got to be funny, it’s got to be challenging and it’s got to have twists and turns. In the case of Black Ops, I would argue the story is better than most movies that are being made” said Goyer.

The video also features Award-winning composer of The Social Network Trent Reznor discussing providing the score for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, while Studio Head Mark Lamia and game director Mark Anthony discuss the relationship between movies, music and games.

Watch Behind the Scenes with Trent Reznor & David S. Goyer – Official Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Video below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

There’s more Call of Duty: Black Ops II news here on The Train2Game Blog, including a previous behind the scenes video preview.  Be sure to keep reading for more insights from developer diaries.

What are your thoughts on the high-profile team working on Black Ops II? Could it really have a story that’s better than films?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: Epic veterans form mobile studio BitMonster

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Epic Games veterans including Gears of War gameplay designer Lee Perry have formed a new mobile studio and will release Unreal powered titles on iOS devices.

BitMonster studios have signed a long term agreement with Epic Games to use their tech to produce iPhone and iPad games. Their first game, Lili, is currently in the final stages of development as is described as an adventure game RPG hybrid.

“Epic has been extremely supportive of our new studio and in helping us build the game of our dreams,” said BitMonster president Lee Perry

“We set out to create an adventure that is appropriate for nearly anyone. As a designer, it’s exciting to see that the Unreal Engine 3 tools are better than ever, and they provide everything we need to achieve a gratifying and imaginative experience.” he added.

“BitMonster is set to deliver the triple-A production values that appeal to discerning players,” said head of North American licensing at Epic Games Joe Kreiner.

“Given this team’s crazy mix of passion, talent and chemistry, and with the latest Unreal Engine tools in their hands, BitMonster has a winning recipe for success.”

Watch the trailer for Lili from BitMonster below.

As regular readers will know, Train2Game student team Commando Kiwi are currently developing an iPhone and iPad game using Unreal Technology after winning Make Something Unreal Live at The Gadget Show. Their game, based on Fighting Fantasy book The Warlock of Firetop Mountain will be released soon. There’s more about Make Something Unreal Live here on the Train2Game Blog.

Be sure to keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest from Epic Games and Unreal.

What are your thoughts on the Epic veterans forming mobile studio BitMonster?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: Lord of the Rings Online senior producer talks updates in Warbands video

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Get behind the scenes of Lord of the Rings Online and its upcoming Riders of Rohan expansion in a new video from Warner Brothers and Turbine.

Inside the Game: Warbands sees LOTRO Senior Producer Aaron Campbell discusses Warbands with Community Manager Rick Heaton. Subjects include how they’ve changed gameplay mechanics to reward players for helping others and how they’ve tweaked the A.I. in order to improve the game.

Watch the video below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Get more insight into game development in various other videos here on The Train2Game Blog.

Are you a Lord of the Rings Online player? What are your thoughts on the changes?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: Torchlight II delayed due to post-beta game balancing

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Torchlight II is delayed due to the amount of balancing Runic Games are doing following the beta test, and to allow time to make changes to other parts of the dungeon crawler.

“Immediately after the Beta we spent a good bit of time doing the last big changes that we were comfortable doing.” explained founder Travis Baldree on the Runic Games forum.

“We didn’t know how long these would take at the outset, because, well, we hadn’t done the Beta yet. Most of these changes were in response to feedback we received during the Beta and our own observations. The biggest of these had to do with our skill system.”

“It’s hard work to balance the acts of a dungeon crawler” Baldree added. The full post is available to see on the Runic Games forum.

It emphasises the importance of beta testing to game development, with much more about this available on The Train2Game Blog. Fellow dungeon crawler Diablo III also went through beta testing before release.

What are your thoughts on Runic taking time to balance Torchlight II? Are you encouraged by the fact they listened to player feedback from the beta?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: Microsoft hiring developer for next-gen Halo

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Microsoft appears to be hiring for a next-gen addition to the Halo series. An advert on their careers website states that Halo 4 producers 343 Studios are looking for an experienced graphics developer.

“Microsoft Studios 343 Industries is looking for an experienced graphics developer to help create the current and next generation of game visuals in the Halo universe. Work on one of the most exciting and creative properties in the industry; Work with the incredible 343 team to help drive the future of Halo.” reads the job advert.

“We are looking for an experienced graphics developer to help us deliver cutting edge graphics technologies for AAA experiences. Candidates should understand and have experience with how to bring great graphics to life.”

While it’s entirely possible that Microsoft may have a nex-gen Xbox console in development, the company says there won’t be any reveal this year.

Microsoft studio 343 are currently working on Halo 4, so be sure to keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news on its development.

Halo 4 isn’t the first title in the series from 343, who produced last year’s Halo: Anniversary, which you can find out about the development of in this Train2Game Blog interview with producers Dan Ayoub and Dennis Ries.

What are your thoughts on the possibility of a next-gen Halo?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game News: EA announce Battlefield 4 beta spots for Medal of Honor: Warfighter pre-orders

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Battlefield 4 will enter beta in autumn 2013 with exclusive places for those who pre-order Medal of Honor: Warfighter, which is set for release in October this year.

The official announcement of Battlefield 4 comes from EA and DICE following news of the beta leaking on EA’s Origin store. Both games are powered by EA’s Frostbite 2 engine.

“Though Battlefield and Medal of Honor Warfighter each offer players a completely unique experience, they are united by their underlying technology base – Frostbite.” said EA Labels president Frank Gibeau 

“These are two of the hottest shooters, coming together to deliver a one-two punch of action, intensity and shooter entertainment.”

Battlefield 3 went through open beta ahead of its release last year, with DICE making changes to the shooter as a result of testing.

There’s more about Battlefield here on The Train2Game Blog, while there’s plenty of information about the importance of beta testing, and opportunities to get involved, here.

What are your thoughts on EA’s decision to announce a the Battlefield 4 beta over a year before it begins?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.