Category Archives: game

Train2Game students (and everyone else!) could pay subs for EA Sports games in future

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Train2Game students may have to pay subscription fees to play EA Sports titles in future. That’s according to label Vice President Andrew Wilson who believes there will “absolutely” be a time when plays will want to “access” EA Sports games via subscriptions.

It’s a statement that may initially not go down well with Train2Game students, but it could help them make more revenue from games in the future.

“If we look at what consumers have pushed other industries for: if we look at what consumers forced the music industry to provide, if we look at what consumers have driven as a result of television and movie subscription” Wilson told Eurogamer.

“If you look at us – there’s absolutely a time somewhere at some point in the future where the consumers say, ‘Hey, this is how we want to interact with you: we want to give you a monthly or annual subscription and we want access to everything you make,'”

“They get to drive the time and place for it, and a lot of it is technology dependent, but absolutely we can see a future where that might be the way we deliver games.”

Wilson added that it isn’t current gen consoles that are holding this model back, but internet connections.

“It’s less about the generation and more about internet infrastructure,” he said.

“The thing about consoles [is] that’s a lot of content: six, seven gigs of information. Right now there are some places in the world where you can move that size of information around relatively seamlessly; there are a lot of places you can’t.

“Right now the consoles themselves could facilitate it,” he added, “but there are other barriers to entry that make getting it from Game or GameStop a viable proposition, at least today.”

That last part sounds somewhat familiar, with as reported by the Train2Game blog, Sony previously stating that they want to sell PSN content – currently only available digitally – at traditional retail.

Of course, the games industry already has many subscription based services, with World of Warcraft being the most high profile. As previously mentioned by the Train2Game blog, World of Warcraft has over 12 million subscribers, showing that if people like a game, they’re more than happy to pay a subscription fee.

Therefore, in the future, working on a subscription based game could potentially be lucrative for Train2Game students.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts? Are subscription fees for all games inevitable? Would people pay?

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

[Source: Eurogamer]

Train2Game / Game Horizon Developer Drinks

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  • Opportunity for students to meet industry professionals and discuss course details
  • Developer drinks on Tuesday 19 July gives developers access to hot new industry talent

Train2Game, provider of games industry training courses, today announces details of its participation in the 2011 Develop Conference, including its first ever ‘Guru Bar’ on stand B12 – giving those interested in the games industry a forum to interact with key figures and ask questions about training, career development and the community at large.

For developers eager to wind down after a long day marching the floors of the show, Train2Game will also be teaming up with leading games business network, GameHorizon, to host an evening of drinks at Alfresco, a Brighton seafront bar. Here, developers are invited to meet future industry talent and rising stars of the course, as well as get more information on how to get involved with placement programmes.

Key facts of the placement schemes follow below:

  • The placement schemes operate across the all Train2Game courses – Artists, Animators, Developers, Designers and QA.
  • Developer placements programmes are subsidised by Train2Game and can range for periods of 2 – 6 months.
  • Developers can choose from the top performers to suit their needs

Tony Bickley, Course Director at Train2Game sees events like Develop as the perfect place for the present and future of the games industry to collide: “While it’s easier than ever to connect online, there’s no replacement for meeting your peers face to face, both when on the hunt for new talent or considering a route into the industry. It’s the same logic which fuels our courses – substantial relationships and interaction online supported by face time wherever possible.”

Train2Game is a blended-learning organisation designed to fast track the best, most ambitious and motivated students into the games industry through comprehensive, expert-supervised courses. A big part of this is co-ordinating with the best developers in the country and providing top tier talented graduates for placements in the workplace.

Train2Game Guru Bar Details
Date: Weds 20 – Thurs 21 July
Venue: Develop Expo, Stand B12
Hilton Metropole, Brighton
Attendance is free, please RSVP at the Develop 2011 front desk

Train2Game/ Game Horizon Developer Drinks
Date: Tuesday 19th July
Time: 17:00 – 19:00
Venue: Alfresco,
The Milkmaid Pavilion,
Kings Road Arches,
Brighton,
BN1 2LN

Train2Game Game Developers will be interested in this; Relentless Software on getting work in the industry

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Train2Game Game Developers will be especially interested in this, Lead Programmer at Relentless Software, Lizi Attwood has been speaking to GamesInustry.biz about what she looks for in a graduate programmer.

On the key skills a graduate programmer should have, Attwood said:

“Obviously, really strong C++ skills, on top of that really good de-bugging skills, some optimisation skills, knowing that you need to profile code before you start optimising it. Really good communication skills are important, some exposure to source control, I’m interested in that, and knowing why that’s good. And just really friendly, relaxed happy people.”

While when quizzed about whether programmers shold specialise in a certain area, she replied:

“Personally I look for generalist programmers. I don’t see any reason to be really specific but if you’re going to go for graphics then specialise in it, but you better be really good at it because it’s very competitive.”

“A lot of people see it as the most exciting part of the game and really try to go for that but there is so many people doing that so you have to be exceptional”

And when asked about how long before a graduate programmers becomes a productive member of a game development team, Attwood responded:

“At Headstrong I will throw you in the deep end but we will assign you a mentor to guide you – give a lifebelt – who will guide you towards doing something productive as soon as possible. We might say ‘Okay here’s your task’, something that might take an experienced programmer half a day to do but it might take you a week.”

“At the end of that week you’ll have produced real functionality that contributes to the project and you’ll have learnt so much about the code base. I think that good graduates can become productive and useful pretty quickly and that’s something that we encourage.”

Of course, some Train2Game programmers are already getting hands-on experience building games be they working as part of a student team, or on a Train2Game industry experience placement.

Nontheless, Attwood gives all Train2Game Game Developers a useful insight into what to expect in that first role in the games industry.

The full interview is available on GamesIndustry.biz.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Attwood’s advice? Is it useful to you if you’re a programmer?

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

[Source: GamesIndustry.biz]

Train2Game event in Brighton 19th July

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 Train2Game has teamed up with GameHorizon teamed up to promote the best Train2Game students to UK games companies in an effort to get more out on industry experience placements!

Train2Game and GameHorizon will hold a series of events around the UK throughout the year, and will kick off with an evening event in Brighton to coincide with the Develop Conference on Tuesday 19th July from 17.00-19.00. 

If you are in Brighton on 19th July why not come along to Alfesco’s on Brighton Beach (opposite the Hilton Hotel) to find out more about the Train2Game placement scheme and how developers can benefit from having one of the top Train2Game students in their team

The event will be a good opportunity to meet some of the students and find out more about how the placement scheme works over an ice cold beer! It’s also a good opportunity for Train2Game students to meet developers!

As reported by the Train2Game blog, Train2Game partnered with GameHorizon earlier this year.

If you would like to attend the event please email Carri Cunliffe on info@gamehorizon.net  or 07881 833 443.

Date: 19th July
Time: 17.00 -19.00
Venue: Alfresco,The Milkmaid Pavilion, Kings Road Arches, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2LN
Cost: Free to attend but please RSVP

For more information see the GameHorizon website.

There will be a Train2Game exhibition stand in the Develop Conference Expo area from Wed 20th – Thurs 21st July where you can also find more information.

A ‘Guru Bar’ will also be available for Train2Game students to get advice from, for more information about this, head to the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: PC has ‘shot by’ consoles say Epic

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The Train2Game blog has long praised PC gaming, especially when it comes to the opportunities that modding could bring.

Epic Games believe that PC will not only be very important to the future of gaming but that they’ve already surpassed the abilities of the current consoles.

“We’re at the stage in the life of the consoles where the PC has shot by them in terms of capabilities.” Epic Games VP Mark Rein told Eurogamer.

“Don’t forget every game that’s ultimately built is built on a PC. PCs are always going to be the tools through which all games get made.” He said.

Of course, Train2Game students on each of the courses will know how important a PC is to building a game, be it for PC, for a smartphone, or any other system.

“With the PC you can simulate the future – you can put enough hardware in a PC to show you what a future console will look like.” Rein added.

The Epic VP also spoke about the highly impressive Samaritan tech demo that Train2Game students saw earlier this year, and how it could push developers to move forward.

“It was kind of our love letter to hardware manufacturers,” Rein explained. “The next-gen, we expect, will look like that. If you fast forward a year or two years that should be a fairly common gamer’s spec.

“We hope the console manufactures look at that and go, jeez, if we aim for that in our next consoles we’ll be competitive with what you’ll be able to do on a PC in a year, year and half from now. A reasonably priced PC – obviously you can do it on an expensive PC already.”

Mark Rein has previously spoken in depth about the Samaritan tech demo, and his comments are available to see here on the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, do you think PCs show the future of gaming? Will games look as good as the Samaritan demo in two years?

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

[Source: Eurogamer]

Train2Game news – UK Charts: Zumba Fitness No.1 again

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Train2Game students are possibly getting fed up with hearing the same thing every week, but Zumba Fitness is once again the UK No.1.  It’s the dance title’s fourth consecutive top spot and seventh overall.

DIRT 3 jumps five places to No.2, equalling the position the Train2Game blog reported it reached in its debut week at the end of May. Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon climbs to No.3, no doubt thanks to the release of the film.  LEGO: Pirates of the Carribean drops to No.4, while three times No.1 L.A. Noire drops to No.5

Virtua Tennis slips one place to No.6, while Call of Duty: Black Ops re-enters the top ten at No.7.  Former No.1 Brink moves up one to No.8, F.E.A.R 3 drops five to No.9 while Top Spin 4 completes the top ten.

UFC Fitness sees an increase in sales, rising from last week’s debut position of No.22 to No.13.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 9th July 2011 is therefore as follows:

1. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
2. Dirt 3 (Codemasters)
3. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Activision)
4. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (Disney)
5. LA Noire (Rockstar)
6. Virtua Tennis 4 (Sega)
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision)
8. Brink (Bethesda)
9. FEAR 3 (Warner)
10. Top Spin 4 (2K Games)

It’s another relatively quiet week for new releases, which include Captain America: Super Solider and Earth Defence Force: Insect Armageddon.

So Train2Game, could Zumba Fitness hold onto No.1 for the rest of the summer? Why do you think it’s so popular?

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

[Source: UKIE Games Charts©, compiled by GfK Chart-Track]

Train2Game may be pleased to hear that Modern Warfare 3 will be ‘colour-blind friendly’

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Train2Game students may be interested to hear that the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be colour-blind friendly.

VP of Sledgehammer games Michael Condrey confirmed the news, after being asked a question by a Call of Duty fan, on the developers official blog.

“Research suggests that as much as 6% of the general population suffers from Color Blindness, or more accurately Colour Vision Deficiency. Men (9-12%) are 20x more likely to be afflicted than women (0.25-1%).”   He wrote.

“Those numbers vary depending on which source you quote, but we estimate that nearly a million gamers are playing Call of Duty every day with this issue.  I am happy to report that we are working on a Colour Blind Assist option for Modern Warfare 3.”

“So start honing your MP skills, Nick.  You won’t be able blame your red-green deficiency for all that friendly-fire come November 8th.”  Condrey concluded.

It raises an interesting question for Train2Game students who’ve already been developing their own games, have you taken the possible colour-blindness of users into consideration?

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Sledgehammer are one of three studios that are contributing to the development of Modern Warfare 3.

The Train2Game blog brought Train2Game students the reveal trailer back in May, while the as also seen on the Train2Game blog, publisher Activision say it’ll bring the most advanced multiplayer ever.

So Train2Game, have you thought about the colour-blind? Should more developers take it into consideration?

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

[Source: Sledgehammer via CVG]

Train2Game students can play Civilization on Facebook as more devs join social media gaming

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Regular Train2Game blog readers will be familiar with Zynga’s Allies & Empires, which has gained more users than social gaming behemoth Farmville.

Its release was seen by some as a pre-emptive move against, Sid Meier’s Civilization World which is now available to play on Facebook. Yes, that’s the same Civilization that’s been such a hit with PC Gamers for many, many years.

“With over ten million units sold worldwide, Sid Meier’s Civilization  is world renowned as one of the greatest strategy game franchises,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of  publisher2K.

“We’re excited to bring this fun and social game to people on Facebook, enabling fans of the series to play Civilization World from almost anywhere in the world; while offering newcomers a chance to enjoy this addictive strategy gameplay that has fascinated gamers for two decades.”

The game is described as ‘an online world where players collaborate with friends to become the strongest nation to accomplish an end goal of becoming the world’s most powerful civilization.’

“Our team set out to create an exciting  Civilization  game for Facebook where for the first time, players can join with their friends to build a powerful empire and rule the world,” said Sid Meier, Director of Creative Development at Firaxis Games.

“Civilization World  is a fun and engaging game that both fans of the series and fans of Facebook games will find immediately addictive, and we look forward to adding to the experience as the game continues to evolve in this dynamic new gaming world.”

Civilization’s move to the social media sphere may not come as a big surprise to some Train2Game students, given that Frontierville and former Civilization II designer Brian Reynolds has previously heaped praise on social media games.

He also mentioned how the role of a Game Designer is much more important in a smaller, social media title than a Triple-A game.

“But it turns out that the skills we have are really valuable in social games and it’s actually really fun to design those games. First of all, I’m working on the forefront of a new thing. Second of all, I’m reaching (millions), tens of (millions) of players I could never have reached before” said Reynolds.

And third, I really need my skills. It’s harder to design these games. We do the same things we did with strategy games: Design simple systems that interact in complex ways, but they have to be so much more accessible then they used to.”

And as reported by the Train2Game blog, another PC strategy title in the form of Age of Empires will also soon be heading to Facebook.

Train2Game students already know that Facebook is a huge area of gaming now, and the fact that big developers and publishers want to get involve only solidifies this.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Civilization coming to Facebook? Would you play it? What other classic games would you like to see online?

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

[Source: Gamasutra]

Train2Game Game Developer Phillip Stevens from Paignton speaks to Train2Game Radio

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Phillip Stevens is studying to become a Game Developer with Train2Game. Train2Game Radio caught up with him to find out why he chose to study with Train2Game, how he’s finding the course and what he wants to achieve in a career in the games industry.

Listen to the interview at http://audioboo.fm/train2game

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