Category Archives: Games Designer

Train2Game news: Nintendo Wii U not a ‘transitional platform’

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EA’s Peter Moore doesn’t believe the Nintendo Wii U is a stop gap between current consoles and the next-generation of consoles.

As reported by the Train2Game blog, the Nintendo Wii was revealed at this year’s E3 conference.

“People will start talking about it being a transitional platform. And I don’t think that’s going to be the case, and here’s why,” EA COO Moore told Industry Gamers.

The Nintendo Wii U’s controller looks like a tablet computer, similar to the Apple iPad, but the EA man doesn’t think its’s an issue

“I think the controller [is huge]. This is not about specs anymore… In the early days of our industry, this stuff was absolutely about how much better the games looked… Now it’s about interfaces. Now it’s about building a community in a rich, powerful way.

“Nintendo’s job, quite frankly, is to build a better mousetrap with regards to the way that we use the controller. So I don’t know what Xbox and PlayStation’s plans for their next platforms are, but it’s not going to be hanging on graphic fidelity. I guarantee you that.”

Moore also added that Nintendo ‘totally gets’ the importance of online multiplayer to modern gamers. Many Train2Game students play games together, often organised through the Train2Game forum.

“It’s critically important to us and we are relieved, if anything else, that they have made a huge [online] commitment that they have presented to us,” Moore said.

“Online certainly was not a factor with the Wii, as you know; although they had capabilities, it just wasn’t there at the level that both Xbox Live and PlayStation had. But I think Nintendo totally gets that multiplayer, building community, co-op play, having the ability to bring games that are deeper – all of these things are now very important.”

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Nintendo believe gamers will love the Wii U.

So Train2Game, do you think the Wii U will rival the next generation of software? Or is it going to fall away once the next Sony and Microsoft consoles arrive?

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

[Source: Industry Gamers]

Train2Game’s Clive Robert among this week’s Edinburgh Interactive public session speakers

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Train2Game’s Clive Robert is one of many high profile games industry figures speaking at this week’s Edinburgh Interactive public sessions. The sessions are free and could provide Train2Game students in the Edinburgh area with excellent insider information about the games industry.

Other speakers include Ian Livingstone, Ken Fee, Graham Brown-Martin, Jo Twist and Derek Robertson and Nicholas Lovell. (Industry analyst Nicholas Lovell gave an extensive interview to the Train2Game blog in December last year)

Train2Game’s Clive Robert will take part in a discussion titled ‘Games Industry overview & How to get in to the Games Industry’ at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

He’ll be speaking alongside game industry legend Ian Livingstone and Ken Fee, MProf Programme Tutor and Lecturer at The University of Abertay Dundee.

For more information about the session, see the Train2Game blog.

“This year’s Public sessions are the best Edinburgh Interactive public sessions to date!” said Edinburgh Interactive Event Director, Alexa Turness.

“With such a fantastic line up and calibre of speakers, with such a variety of topics reaching out to a much broader audience, we’re predicting a very well attended couple of days.  The public sessions are free, ticketless and on a first come first served basis, so don’t miss out, get to The Radisson Blu early and we will prove that sometimes best things in life really are free”.

The sessions, all of them, could really be of benefit to Train2Game students, so if any in the Edinburgh area are planning to go, they best to The Radisson Blu Hotel early.

For more information, see the Edinburgh Interactive program.

The event “is powered up to showcase the continued popularity, growth and influence of video games”

So Train2Game, are you in the Edinburgh area? Will you go to the public sessions?

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

Train2Game news: “Graphics will always matter” say Id Software

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Train2Game students will have seen some huge improvements in video game Art & Animation over the last decade, with the majority of Triple A games released now featuring excellent graphics.

Id software, developers of the upcoming RAGE – which as reported by the Train2Game blog will come with modding tools – believe that despite the improvements in graphics, games with better graphics than their rivals will always have an edge.

“Coming from id – and this is Carmack’s quote – graphics will always matter. And I agree with that 100 percent.”  Id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead told VG247.

“I think that there’s a point where you get diminishing returns, obviously. You approach reality until the point that you get there. And then, once you get there – which, we never will – but the curve gets so close that the differences are imperceptible to most consumers.”

And Hollenshead believes the graphics and Art & Animation war is far from over, with more improvements to come in future.

“I don’t think we’re anywhere near there yet. We’re still making graphical trade-offs and working within system constraints. If you gave us twice the horsepower, I guarantee we’d soak up every single bit of it.

“So I don’t think we’re actually getting close to that yet. If every game you could buy was running with every single feature you could have turned on at 120 hertz, then I might say, “It’s pretty much all the same.” But it’s not. I mean, in RAGE, we decided to run it at 60 hertz and put all our elbow grease behind that when most of our competition is running at 30 hertz. And I think it’s a difference-maker.”

As reported by the Train2Game blog, ID Software said their fans ‘sometimes drive them nuts’ with their demands. With their ideas about graphics and Art & Animation in future, how the game looks shouldn’t be a complaint

So Train2Game, will graphics always give games an edge? Or can Game Design and gameplay triumph over Art & Animation?

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

[Source: VG247]

Train2Game news: “Everybody has to get comfortable with throwing their stuff away” says Bioshock dev

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Bioshock Infinite developers Irrational Games have given an interview to Gamasutra that Train2Game students will find very interesting.

Not only do they talk about the highly anticipated – and previously featured in an in depth piece on the Train2Game blog – Bioshock Infinite, but also about the trials and tribulations of game development. This includes goals moving all the time.

“You have to get comfortable working with the ground shifting underneath your feet a lot,” Bioshock Infinite Creative Head Ken Levine told Gamasutra.

“At the end of the day, it’s about, ‘is this going to be awesome?'” Although for cost efficiency team members must endeavor not to take an excess of risk, ultimately “you can’t care about sunk cost.”

Then speaking about Bioshock Infinite, Levine added “For a long time, it looked like ‘BioShock 1 in the sky”

And according to Irrational Games product development director, Tim Gerritsen, Bioshock Infinite “had a very European look; it was very art-nouveau.”

“That’s when we came to the conclusion we had to do some aggressive change to make it a distinct look,” added art director Nate Wells. It’s a process some Train2Game students may be familiar with, re-designing a game that has already got a distinct look through its development.

“It was uncomfortable for us,” said Lead Artist  Shawn Robertson on the redesign of Bioshock Infinite.

“Ken started literally pushing back the clouds — ‘bluer, bluer!’ We were really uncomfortable with it, our initial reaction is it’s a little bit cartoonish…. but when we saw it in context, that was our a-ha moment.”

“That searching and that failure was absolutely essential” Robertson continued.

“By spending some time muddling around… by failing, you find it. That was an idea that I don’t think that we could have landed on; we wandered to it. You need that galvanizing idea, but you can’t… just do nothing until you have it.”

And with Bioshock Infinite looking very impressive, it looks like the development process is going well for Irrational Games, but who knows what else might change. “Everybody has to get comfortable with throwing their stuff away,” said Levine

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the comments from Irrational? Are you prepared to throw your work out and start again? Is it an essential part of game development?

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

[Source: Gamasutra]

Train2Game industry experience diaries from Georgij Cernysiov, William Alexander & Laurence Gee

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Here are three bite-sized Train2Game industry experience diaries from Train2Game students.  They come from Georgij Cernysiov who is on placement Caspian Learning, Train2Game Art & Animation student William Alexander at DR Studios, and Laurence Gee.

Read their industry experience diaries here on the Train2Game blog, or on the official Train2Game industry experience diaries website.

 

Train2Game student Darren Price industry experience diary No.6

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A new week means a new batch of Train2Game student placement diaries. This time, we kick of with Train2Game Game Development student Darren Price who is on a work placement at DR Studios.

In the latest diary, Darren discusses creating a user interface for a game and some of the programming that goes into it. Read it here on the Train2Game blog, or on the official Train2Game industry experience diaries website.

Darren’s previous diary is available here on the Train2Game blog.

 

 

Train2Game students on ‘garbage’ Kinect comments of Super Meat Boy dev

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As reported by the Train2Game blog on Friday, Super Meat Boy developer Edmund McMillen labelled Kinect for the Xbox 360 as ‘garbage’ and that it’s ruining game design.

As you might expect from such a controversial comment – and the manner in with was said – it’s split opinion amongst Train2Game students

A number of Train2Game students made their voices heard on the Kinect issue on both the Train2Game Facebook page and the Train2Game forum; here’s a selection of some of their comments.

“He is right though they are bringing out all this stuff when there is no need” said Ian Casper Dale on the Train2Game Facebook page. “For the Kinect you have no controllers and the only games for it is things I can do in real life like running, fighting etc it’s a load of BS if you ask me and I agree with Super Meat Boy”

“I have to agree people are worrying too much about Kinect and losing the TRUE meaning and game play of what thay started out as”  Darren Williams agreed on Facebook.

“I couldn’t agree more with Edmund McMillen” added Steven Brashaw “Motion control is unnecessary, why do you think games like Mario Kart Wii & Smash Bros Brawl have Gamecube controller compatibility? I’ll stick to pads thank you & have a nice day”

However, not all Train2Game students see Kinect as a novelty, and some have very positive to say about the Xbox 360 motion controller.

“I suppose aiming for the casual gaming Market ( as they seem to be ) is always a safe bet. After all they are biggest spenders. Give it time am sure something good/better will rear its head and if not it’s at least a good direction for gaming in the future.”  Brian Malm replied on the Train2Game Facebook page.

Catriona Smith also praised Kinect on the Train2Game Facebook page, adding that it’s great for her child.

“I have the Kinect and I love it and my 3 year old loves it as well the games that you can get for the Kinect all good and fund to play plus you have the star wars game for it as well and it is a good way to get fit if you don’t have time to go to the gym” she said.

Meanwhile, on the Train2Game forum, Vampire Duck agreed that Kinect is great for fitness, and no one is forcing the Super Meat Boy developers to use Kinect.

“Well I’ve lost half a stone or more playing Kinect Adventures, so I don’t think I could agree. I like losing half a stone or more. 

“As for the rest, it is an option, no one is forcing him to use it, it’s not even as if all or the majority of Xbox games use it, and nothing can get sold without it. I think he may still be a little pissed with Microsoft’s broken promises on Super Meat Boy promotion, which is fair enough.”

So there you have it, a little insight into what you, the Train2Game students think about Kinect. But what are your thoughts on the matter?

You can get involved in the discussion on here on the Train2Game blog, on the Train2Game Facebook page, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Zumba Fitness top for 8th week running

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In news that’ll continue to befuddle some Train2Game students, Zumba Fitness continues its domination of the UK charts with its 8th consecutive No.1 and 11th top spot overall.

Zumba Fitness outsold the next four chart positions combined and its 11 weeks at the top put it joint 3rd with FIFA: Road To The World Cup 98 and FIFA Soccer ’96 when it comes to time at No.1.

Dirt 3 jumps from No.6 to No. 2, while a very different vehicle based game, Cars 2, drops one to No.3  Just Dance 2: Extra Songs remains at No.4, while there’s also no change for LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean which remains at  No.5.

FIFA 11 moves up to No.6 in its 45th week on sale, with Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part a non-mover at No.7. Harry Potter fever also sees LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 re-enter the top ten at No.8.

Former No.1 – as reported by the Train2Game blog – L.A. Noire remains at No.9, while Call of Juarez: The Cartel drops to No. 10 in just its third week of release.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 30th July 2011 is therefore as follows:

  1. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
  2. Dirt 3 (Codemasters)
  3. Cars 2 (Disney Interactive)
  4. Just Dance 2: Extra Songs (Ubisoft)
  5. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (Disney Interactive)
  6. FIFA 11 (EA Sports)
  7. Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (EA Games)
  8. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Warner Bros. Interactive)
  9. L.A. Noire (Rockstar)
  10. Call of Juarez: The Cartel (Ubisoft)

It’s another slow week for game releases, with titles including Fruit Ninja Kinect.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the continued dominance of Zumba Fitness? And with so many big games scheduled for release during October and November, why aren’t some being released over the summer?

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

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

Kinect is ‘garbage’ and Game Design is what matters says Super Meat Boy dev

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Train2Game students may be split on the impact Kinect will have on the industry, but Super Meat Boy developer Edmund McMillen hates it. Absolutely hates it with a passion.

Unfortunately for him, and as reported by the Train2Game blog, Kinect featured heavily in the Microsoft E3 presentation.

McMillen believes that more focus should be put on Game Design, rather than creating peripherals such as Kinect. He passionately believes it…in a very sweary fashion.

“Gameplay is what matters. Good game design” McMillen told Eurogamer.  “It’s almost as if they thought developers said ‘s**t, we’ve hit a wall and we can’t design fun games anymore, and can’t innovate through game design itself, we need all these crazy-ass peripherals that are going to help break through barriers and find new uncharted territory”

“No, just f***ing sit down and come up with a new genre. Chris Hecker came up with a new genre – Spy Party – so I guarantee other people can too. Minecraft – a creative MMO. And Katamari too. We don’t need peripherals.”

Speaking about Kinect specially, McMillen was just as ‘passionate’ in his views.

“That thing is a piece of garbage. There is absolutely nothing good for it. It’s a joke. It’s a f***ing joke. It doesn’t make any f***ing sense. It’s painful because they justify it by saying ‘a lot of people bought it’, but that’s just marketing.”

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Kinect has been a success in that over 10 million units have been sold.

“I’m telling you, there’s not going to be anything for it that’s so compelling that 10 years from now you’ll tell your friends ‘wow, I really want to break out the Kinect and play this’. It’s just not going to happen.” McMillen said of Kinect games.

Microsoft have previously stated that all their future first party games will come with Kinect support.

“Buttons. Buttons and game pads. Just give me my f***ing game pad back.” He replied when asked what he wanted from the next generation of consoles.

So Train2Game, do you agree with the Super Meat Boy devs comments? Should the industry focus more on games then things like motion control?

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

[Source: Eurogamer]

Train2Game news: Games industry should adopt one console as standard says Bethesda Exec

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The games industry should move towards adopting a single console.

That’s according to Bethesda Softworks game director Todd Howard whose view is likely to split Train2Game students.

“I’d like there to be only one platform. It’s a lot of work to make the games look good on ever platform you’re on,” said Howard told PSM3.

He compared it to being able to use DVDs and Blu-Rays with multiple outlets.

“I often equate it to DVD or Blu-Rays. Once I’ve bought a DVD I can use it in my TV, in my computer, in my car, here, whatever. And I think it would be good for gaming if it was like that,” he said.

However, Howard admits his wish is rather unlikely.

“They spend billions of dollars selling consoles at a loss for years, but then make the money back with games,” he commented. “It’s not like the industry is hurting, we’re doing really well. But if I had one wish, you know, we would have better games for a single platform.”

The idea of one console certainly raises an interesting prospect, and not just because it’d mean the death of console exclusive titles! But it could potentially make games easier to develop and allow them to get to a wider audience; both are things Train2Game students are likely to approve of!

On the other hand, the idea of a single console does seem to overlook the PC, which as the Train2Game blog reported last month, has ‘shot by’ consoles according to Epic.

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

“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.” he added.

The Train2Game blog has previously lavished praise on the PC for being the best platform for Train2Game students.

So Train2Game, is the idea of a single gaming device too farfetched? Or could you see it happening in future? How could it benefit developers?

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

[Source: CVG]