Category Archives: Developer

Train2Game news: Obsidian Chief Writer on digital distribution and ‘stabbing the used game market in the heart’

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Fallout New Vegas DLCTrain2Game students will be highly aware of the rise of digital distribution, and Obsidian Chief Creative Officer Chris Avellone believes digital is good for game developers and good for the games industry, especially if it can help stop second hand game sales.

Avellone has over 20 years experience of writing and designing RPGs with titles under his belt including Fallout 2, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, Neverwinter Nights 2 and most recently, Fallout: New Vegas.

“I love digital distribution. For one thing, being environmentally conscious, I really appreciate that we’re not making more boxes and shipping them and creating all that waste. It’s better just to download the game through Steam and not have to have all that packaging.” he told Industry Gamers.

However, it isn’t just the green factor that Avellone sees as a positive of digitial distribution, he also believes it allows game development studios to be more flexible thanks to not having to rush towards deadlines.

“One of the things I enjoyed with Fallout: New Vegas was that digital distribution of the DLC made things more flexible in terms of getting the content done. You didn’t have to worry about production times for discs, and so you could take an extra week if you needed that to get things right.” said Avellone.

The Fallout: New Vegas writer also added, with some aggression, that digital distribution can kill off second hand games.

“Of course, one of the greatest things about digital distribution is what it does to reduce the used game market. I hope digital distribution stabs the used game market in the heart.” he said.

The Train2Game blog has previously reported on the extensive advice the game design veteran has given on getting into the games industry.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Avellone’s comments on digital distribution? Does it help game developers? And will it ‘stab’ the second hand games market?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Industry Gamers]

Train2Game news: Auto Club Revolution dev Eutechnyx to open London office

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British racing game developer Eutechnyx are to open a new publishing office in London.  The Gateshead studio is expanding to London in order to support the launch of its next title, Auto Club Revolution, due for release in 2012.

Train2Game students may have previously seen Eutechnyx Lead Programmer Dave Hawes give advice on getting into the games industry in this Train2Game video interview.

“We’re building a dedicated publishing team to support the global launch of Auto Club Revolution in key markets around the world” said Eutechnyx COO Darren Jobling.

“Our strategy is to secure the best people from the online games industry, and London gives us great access to an amazingly rich talent pool.”

“The development team in the North East of the UK includes some of the best people in the sector, and the opening of a London office will allow us to attract the right calibre of candidate to build a team with the publishing power behind it that the game deserves.”

As reported by the Train2Game blog, Eutechnyx were recently nominated for a global award.

Train2Game students can find out more about Eutechnyx in this feature about 7 UK game studios to keep an eye on.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Eutechnyx creating jobs in London?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: GI.biz]

Train2Game news: Interesting Guardian feature on women in game development

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Train2Game students should have a look at this article on the The Guardian website. Titled ‘Game changers: the women who make video games’ it features some of the best female game development talent out there and examines what can be done to get more women into the games industry.

Of course, there are plenty of women currently on Train2Game courses as we speak.

“I think young girls need to have their eyes opened to the different avenues open to them in games,” said games writer Rhianna Pratchett, who has worked on games including Heavenly Sword and Mirror’s Edge.

“They can be artists, animators, writers, designers, producers, programmers … We need to get them fired up about technology and find the Ada Lovelaces of the future. I think both the industry and the educational system have a role to play to achieve this. There are so many great female role-models within the games industry, but they rarely get the exposure they deserve.”  she added.

Rhianna Pratchett was part of BAFTA’s Games Writers Panel discussion, which recently became available to listen to via podcast. Find out how to listen to it, and see the rest of Train2Game’s BAFTA Games Writers Panel coverage, here on the Train2Game blog.

Other female game developers who feature in The Guardian article includes Deus Ex: Human Revolution co-writer Mary DeMarle, and Uncharted 3 Director Amy Hennig. The women in video games piece certainly does make interesting reading for Train2Game students.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the article? What do you think can be done to encourage more women into game development?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

(Source: The Guardian)

Train2Game news: EA’s Peter Moore sees all digital future

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Train2Game students have seen the games industry change a lot over the last few years, in part thanks to the rise of mobile and cloud based gaming, and according to EA COO Peter Moore, games companies will need to keep changing methods of operating in order to survive.

“Transitions are hard because revenue slows down and costs speed up. You’re getting ready to develop for new platforms, whether they be hardware platforms or software, and it’s getting to be even more complex now,” Moore told Industry Gamers in the latest of their ‘Better know’ interviews.

Interestingly, as previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Moore has previously stated that Nintendo’s Wii U is not a transitional platform.

But he believes that developers and publishers to stick to traditional business models will find that they eventually disappear.

The companies that have prepared themselves and have diversified their offerings to chase the consumer wherever they want to play games are the companies that will succeed and thrive and flourish. Companies that continue to rely on the old model as the model changes before our eyes, unless they change their ways and invest in the future those companies eventually will die off. No two ways about it,” said Moore.

And the EA COO believes that, while physical copies of games remain strong for now, eventually we’ll be in an entirely digital industry.

“The packaged goods business, while still flourishing and strong, eventually – as we’ve seen in music and movies – will go to the cloud. It will go digital and we’ll be delivering games from the cloud and delivering games directly to hard drives and we’re still going to sell a lot of discs for the foreseeable future.”

But eventually, physical media will diminish as the core part of how gamers get their content. And we’re ready for that, but we’re also still ready to be the number one packaged goods publisher in the world.” said Moore.

“If you want to be a publisher that’s still going to be viable for the consumer 3-4 years from now, you better be ready to deliver your content anytime, anywhere and to everyone.” he added

Peter Moore has previously questioned the role of handheld consoles thanks to the rise of smartphone gaming.

So Train2Game, what do you make of Moore’s comments? Will the future be digital?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

(Source: Industry Gamers)

Train2Game news: Nintendo deny Miyamoto “retirement” reports

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Shigeru MiyamotoTrain2Game blog readers will have read news this morning that that Mario and Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto is retiring. Nintendo, however, have denied that he’ll be stepping down from his position.

The legendary game designer had told Wired he wanted to retire from his position to “be in the forefront of game development once again myself. Probably working on a smaller project with even younger developers”

However, Nintendo have told MCV that Miyamoto isn’t going anywhere.

Video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto’s role at Nintendo is not changing,” said a Nintendo spokesman. “He will continue to be a driving force in Nintendo’s development efforts.

“In discussing his priorities at Nintendo in a media interview, Mr Miyamoto explained how he is encouraging the younger developers at the company to take more initiative and responsibility for developing software. He attempted to convey his priorities moving forward, inclusive of overseeing all video game development and ensuring the quality of all products.

“Mr Miyamoto also discussed his desire to pursue fresh ideas and experiences of the kind that sparked his initial interest in video games.”

Miyamoto has previously stated how he’s keen to teach younger game developers, and as reported by the Train2Game blog, the Nintendo man wants to teach when he eventually does retire from game development.

What are your thoughts on this apparent misunderstanding?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Your chance to join Paradox Interactive’s Warlock: Master of the Arcane beta

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Train2Game students have the opportunity to join a beta for Paradox Interactive’s Warlock: Master of the Arcane.

Those Train2Game students interested in joining the limited closed beta have until 14th December to register on the Paradox Interative beta sign up page. You’ll also have to be a member of the Paradox Interactive forum. The lucky applicants who are chosen for the Warlock: Master of the Arcane closed beta will be notified by email on 16th December.

Paradox Interactive describe Warlock: Master of the Arcane “as an innovative turn-based strategy game scheduled for Q2 2012 that pits players as powerful, empire-building mages as they war for dominance.” Train2Game students can check out the trailer below.

It’s worth noting that, as reported by the Train2Game blog, Paradox Interactive are still accepting applications to take part in the Magna Mundi closed beta.

Beta testing is an excellent way for Train2Game students, especially those on the Games QA Tester course to practice their bug hunting skills. Not only that, but in an interview with the Train2Game blog, Trion Worlds Senior QA Tester Karl Tars said that beta testing is potentially a way to get into the industry.

For more on the significance of beta testing to the game development process, see the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, will you be applying for the Warlock: Master of the Arcane closed beta?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Mario creator Miyamoto on “retiring” to work on smaller projects

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Shigeru MiyamotoSuper Mario and Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto has revealed he wants to step down from his current role as Head of Nintendo Development to get hands on with smaller projects.

“Inside our office, I’ve been recently declaring, ‘I’m going to retire, I’m going to retire.” The 59 year old Miyamoto said in an interview with Wired. “I’m not saying that I’m going to retire from game development altogether. What I mean by retiring is, retiring from my current position.”

“What I really want to do is be in the forefront of game development once again myself. Probably working on a smaller project with even younger developers” he said

“Or I might be interested in making something that I can make myself, by myself. Something really small. I’m not intending to start from things that require a five-year development time. I’m interested in doing a variety of many other things.” Miyamoto added.

His words could be construed as a desire to create smaller titles in the mobile game mould.

However, Nintendo have denied that the legendary game designer will be leaving his current role.

“This is absolutely not true,” a Nintendo spokeswoman told Reuters. “There seems to have been a misunderstanding. He has said all along that he wants to train the younger generation. He has no intention of stepping down. Please do not be concerned.”

The Train2Game blog has previously reported that the game design veteran wants to teach game development when he eventually retires. You can find out Miyamoto’s thoughts on the role of a game designer here on the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Miyamoto’s comments?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Wired]

Train2Game student Daniel Parkes December update with 100% TMA

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Train2Game QA Tester Daniel Parkes has posted a December update on his blog, and it has good news, Daniel scored 100% on his latest TMA.

“Everything about being a QA Tester has ticked a box for me. The last TMA I submitted was on lesson 3-practical video capture and editing: after going over it a few times I was happy enough to hand it in, within a few days I had the result back. I’m so happy to say it has been my best result to date, I got 100%.” said Train2Game QA Tester Daniel.

Daniel adds that the Train2Game course has helped him keep on top of and understand developments in the games industry.

“When I read game reviews and look for the latest gaming news if can understand heaps more about what they are saying than I could before I started this course.” he said

Read the full entry here on Daniel Parkes blog. Alternatively, see Daniel’s previous blog posts here.

Train2Game news: Epic President labels games business as “shockingly immature”

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Train2Game students have a great year for games in 2011, but while the games industry is very successful, the business behind it is still “shockingly immature.” That’s according to Epic Games President Mike Capps in an interview with GI.biz.

In the extensive piece, Capps argues that the games industry needs to share learning and experiences in order to continue to improve.

“Our games industry is shockingly immature from a business perspective, because so few folks have business experience before coming in, or an education for business,” he said.

“It’s awesome because it’s entrepreneurship gone right, that’s what our industry comes from, and that’s really exciting, but there’s not a lot of sharing, there’s not a lot of great game business ‘how to’ books, so we try to share and people listen to us, for some reason, and we try to learn as much as we can from everybody else and their mistakes. It just seemed like the right thing to do.” said Capps.

The Epic President said licensees of their Unreal Engine help each other, rather than only looking out for their own interests.

“There’s no reason, if you find a bug, you don’t go ‘ha ha ha, that’ll give us an edge on Splinter Cell!’” said Capps.

“Because it doesn’t at all and so you share it, because it’s one less thing that Epic has to find and fix and they can focus on something you care more about. And you share with the Mass Effect guys and they share with you.”

Of course, four Train2Game student teams, winners of the Train2Game & Epic Game Jam will be attempting to win a UDK licence of their own when they compete at The Gadget Show Live next year.

Lots more about Epic Games and their Unreal Engine can be found in the Train2Game blog interview with Epic’s European Territory Manager Mike Gamble. Get more Epic Games news here on the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what do you make of the Epic President’s comments? Should games business work closer together for the benefit of the industry?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum

[Source: GI.biz]

Train2Game news: UK developer Eutechnyx nominated for global award

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British game developer Eutechnyx have named among the finalists for Red Herring’s Top 100 Global Awards, which recognise the “most audacious and far reaching private technology companies from across the globe.”

Train2Game students may have previously seen Eutechnyx Lead Programmer Dave Hawes give advice on getting into the games industry in this Train2Game video interview. The Gateshead based studio are currently working on Auto Club Revolution, scheduled for release next year.

“To be in with a chance of picking up a global recognition award before the end of 2011 is a remarkable achievement”, said Eutechnyx CEO, Brian Jobling.

“With Auto Club Revolution entering the final phases before a full release in 2012, the Red Herring nomination is vindication of the vision that we have for this unique product. We have the right team in place, and the right backing from our investment partners, to ensure that Eutechnyx can deliver on all objectives and ensure Auto Club Revolution becomes a global success.” he concluded.

“Technology companies are becoming the bright spot in the economic outlook. Eutechnyx has performed exceptionally in its field and strongly deserves to be singled out as one of the Red Herring Global finalists.” added Chairman of Red Herring Alex Vieux.

The Top 100 winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony that will take place on December 7th in Los Angeles, California.

Train2Game students can find out more about Eutechnyx in this feature about 7 UK game studios to keep an eye on.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on an independent UK game studio being nominated for a global award?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.