Category Archives: Developer

Train2Game News: Steam, Amazon, Google, BBC and more added to Develop line-up

Posted on by
Reply

Steam, Amazon, Google and the BBC have been added to at next week’s Develop Conference line-up.

Lionhead Studios and SCEE are also among the final speakers confirmed for the packed schedule of events which take place in Brighton from Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th July.

“We’re very excited to announce speakers from Amazon, Google and BBC Worldwide, which further display both the increasing convergence between games and TV and the rise of digital distribution,” said managing director, Tandem Events managing director Andy Lane.

“The fact that the Develop Conference draws names from global entertainment giants such as these is also testament to the investment we have made over the last seven years to continually evolve this conference to ensure it always meets the knowledge, networking and business requirements of today’s games developers in Europe.” he added.

Other keynote sessions at Develop include talks from games industry veterans David Perry, Ian Livingstone, Philip Oliver and David Braben who’ll all speak as part of the conference’s Visionaries track.

The Train2Game Blog will be at Develop in Brighton bringing you as much news as possible! There’s more about Develop Conference here on The Train2Game Blog.

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

Train2Game News: UK Charts – Lego Batman 2 beats The Amazing Spider-Man to No.1

Posted on by
Reply

Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes holds off The Amazing Spider-Man to take top spot of the UK charts for the second week running.

Activision’s movie tie-in is one of three new entries to reach the top five 2K’s Spec Ops: The Line debuting at No.3, while SEGA’s London 2012: The Official Video Game reachesNo.4 in its first week on sale.  FIFA 12 slips three places to No.5.

Former No.1 Ghost Recon: Future Soldier also drops three places, settling for No.6 this week.  The Train2Game Blog recently spoke to Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Creative Director Jean-Marc Geoffroy and Ubisoft Development Director Adrian Lacey, with the pair offering advice to Train2Game students on getting into the industry.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim moves up one to No.7 following the release of the new Dawnguard DLC, while Max Payne 3 drops to No.8.  Battlefield 3 slips to No.9 while the launch of Metal Gear Solid HD collection for PlayStation Vita sees it complete the top ten.

PlayStation 3 exclusive Ratchet & Clank Trilogy: Classics HD just misses out on breaking into the top ten, reaching No.11 in its first week on sale.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 30th June is therefore as follows:

1. LEGO Batman (Warner)
2. The Amazing Spider-Man (Activision)
3. Spec Ops: The Line (Take-Two)
4. London 2012: The Official Video Game (Sega)
5. FIFA 12 (EA)
6. Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (Ubisoft)
7. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
8. Max Payne 3 (Rockstar)
9. Battlefield 3 (EA)
10. Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (Konami)

New releases for the week ahead include Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy.

What are your thoughts on this week’s charts and the new entries into the top five? Can Lego Batman 2 continue to hold No.1 next week?

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

Train2Game News: Worms Revolution developer diary discusses 17 years of Worms

Posted on by
Reply

Get behind the scenes of Worms Revolution in the first of five developer diaries from Team 17.

Worms Revolution developer diary one sees lead game designer Kevin Carthew discussing the 17 year history of the series.

Subjects he covers include how creator Andy Davidson produced the first Worms game while doing his A-Levels, moving from 2D to 3D then back to 3D and developing Worms Revolution as a “next-gen” version of Worms with a brand new engine.

Carthew also discusses his role as game designer on the Worms series. Watch Worms Revolution Developer Diary 1: The History of Worms below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

There are more developer diaries, giving an insight into development of a wide variety of games, here on The Train2Game Blog. Also, be sure to keep reading for the latest from Team 17 and Worms Revolution.

What are your thoughts on Worms Revolution? Are you a long-term fan of the series?

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

Train2Game News: BAFTA Games Question Time in Sheffield on Monday 2nd July

Posted on by
Reply

Games Britannia and BAFTA are hosting a special games question time event at Sheffield Hallam University next Monday, giving you the chance to quiz industry experts.

You could ask the panel anything from creating games, the business around games, advice on getting into the industry or what they think the future holds. It’s a great opportunity for any Train2Game students in the Sheffield area.

On the panel are:

Charles Cecil MBE – Creator of the Broken Sword series of adventures, Designer of the BBC Dr Who Adventure Games and founder of Revolution Software

Maria Stukoff – Academic Partnership Manager for SONY Computer Entertainment Europe

Andy Payne OBE – Managing Director of Mastertronic, UKIE Chairman, Just Flight, The Producers, BAFTA, Just Trains, Get Games, GamesAid and AppyNation

Sean Millard – Creative Director at Sheffield’s SUMO Digital – one of the UK’s largest independent videogame development studios

BAFTA Games Question Time takes place on Monday 2nd June at 18:15. Get your free ticket and find out more here.

There’s more BAFA news here on The Train2Game Blog.

Will you attend BAFTA Games Question Time in Sheffield?

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: Train2Game student developed My Sea Park reaches 250,000 downloads

Posted on by
Reply

 

My Sea Park, a mobile game developed with significant input from Train2Game students has been downloaded over 250,000 times.

The management title, created with help from Train2Game students on work placement at DR Studios, was released worldwide less than two weeks ago.

Seven students worked on the iOS game, with Train2Game game designer Craig Moore serving as design lead.

My Sea Park lets players explore their creativity by building the biggest and best marine-themed amusement park in the world.

Watch the trailer below, here on The Train2Game Blog.

Like it? Then support fellow Train2Game students by downloading My Sea Park from the App Store now!

There’s more on My Sea Park here on The Train2Game Blog, while keep reading for the latest industry experience diaries from Train2Game students on placement at DR Studios.

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

Train2Game News: Ghost Recon Online and Shootmania developer sessions added to Rezzed line-up

Posted on by
Reply

PC and indie games show Rezzed has revealed more developer sessions for the Brighton event, with Ghost Recon Online and Shootmania developers speaking about their games.

Developers of both of the Ubisoft titles will be talking about their games on the second day of the show, with the Ghost Recon Online developers taking to the stage at .3pm, while the Shootmania team will discuss their title at 5pm.

Peter Molyneux,  Day Z creator Dean “Rocket” Hall, The Indie Stone,  Introversion Software, The Creative Assembly, Splash Damage CEO Paul Wedgwood and Gearbox Software’s Randy Pitchford are among those giving talks during the two day Brighton event, while a variety of games are available to play on the show floor.

Not only that, but everyone who buys a ticket for Rezzed gets a free DOTA 2 beta key. Rezzed takes place in Brighton on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th July, with tickets available here.

We’ll be sure to keep you up to date with the latest news as the show approaches and the final speaker is announced.

Will you be attending these developer sessions?

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

Train2Game News: Watch two Dishonored gameplay videos with developer commentary

Posted on by
Reply

Get an insight into development of Dishonored in not one, but two gameplay demos with commentary from Arkane Studios Co-Creative Directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith.

Colantonia spoke to The Train2Game Blog about Dishonored at Gamescom last year.

The two videos show Colantonio and Smith discussing two different playthroughs of ‘The Golden Cat,’ a mission that tasks you with assassinating The Pendleton Brothers, two corrupt aristocrats. The first Dishonored video shows a stealthy approach to the mission, while the second sees the Arkane Studios Co-Creative Directors, commentating on a more action-based style.

Watch both videos, and listen to the commentary on two very different styles of play, below, here on The Train2Game Blog.

Dishonored Golden Cat E3 Gameplay Walkthrough — Part 1

Dishonored Golden Cat E3 Walkthrough — Part 2

Dishonored from Arkane Studios and Bethesda is scheduled for release on 12th October 2012.

There are more developer diaries, giving an insight into development of a wide variety of games, here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your thoughts on the two different styles shown in the videos? Are you looking forward to Dishonored?

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

Train2Game News: Guild Wars 2 release date and final beta weekend revealed

Posted on by
Reply

Guild Wars 2 will officially launch on Tuesday 28th August, with a final beta test taking place over the weekend of 20th July.  ArenaNet have made the announcement following a Guild Wars 2 server stress test earlier this week.

“This is an incredibly momentous day for the studio and for me personally.” said ArenaNet co-founder Mike O’Brien.

“ This journey began in 2007 when we first announced that we were beginning work on Guild Wars 2 and that you wouldn’t be hearing from us for a while. Then in 2010 we unveiled our manifesto for Guild Wars 2: a living breathing online world that challenges convention, that’s designed for fun instead of grind, and that brings social interaction to a new level in an online world.

“Through all the long hours and hard decisions, we were bolstered by the knowledge that we were not in this alone. All along you’ve been there for us, cheering us on, supporting us when we needed it, testing early versions of the game, and above all, giving us your honest feedback every step of the way. Guild Wars 2 is a better game for all of the work that our community has put in.” he continued, adding remaining development time will focus on QA Testing.

“Now that we’re just two months away from launch, we’ll spend our remaining time optimizing, polishing, and balancing the game, to ensure that we provide you with the best launch-day experience we possibly can.” O’Brien concluded.

ArenaNet recently posted an in-depth blog about the importance of testing in ensuring Guild Wars 2 is fun.

There’s more Guild Wars 2 news here on The Train2Game Blog.

Have you been taking part in the beta weekends? How important do you feel they are to development?

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

Train2Game News: Shootmania closed beta begins soon

Posted on by
Reply

FPS Shootmania from Ubisoft and Nadeo is entering closed beta in the near fure, and you can sign-up to be a part of it.

The free-to-play shooter comes from the makers of Trackmania, and will allow players to create and share their own levels.

Those interested in taking part in the Shootmania closed beta can register their interest on the official website up until Monday 2nd July.  The level creation tools could be of particular interest to those on Train2Game courses.

Get a taste of Shootmania in the trailer below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

There’s more beta testing news, and information on how it’s useful for developers and Train2Game students, here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your initial thoughts on Shootmania and its level creation tools? Will you be applying for a place in the beta?

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

Train2Game News: MechWarrior Online developer diary talks four pillars of game design

Posted on by
1

Learn about development of MechWarrior Online, the first title in the series for over a decade, in a brand new developer diary from Piranha Games.

The video sees Piranha Games President Russ Bullock discussing the four key game design pillars of the upcoming free-to-play mech combat MMO. They are mech warfare, information warfare, role warfare and community warfare.

Bullock also talks about Bringing MechWarrior up to date and introducing an online element to a series which originally appeared in 1989. MechWarrior Online is scheduled for release on PC later this year.

Watch the developer diary below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

There are more developer diaries, giving an insight into development of a wide variety of games, here on The Train2Game Blog.

Were you a fan of the original MechWarrior series? What are your thoughts on MechWarrior Online?

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