Category Archives: Games QA Tester

Train2Game news: Android downloads top 6 billion

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Train2Game students will be highly aware of the massive impact the iPhone and its app store has had on the games industry, with some claiming that the success makes Apple a threat to consoles.

However, apple isn’t the only player in mobile gaming with Android operated smartphones growing in popularity. And these Android users are also downloading apps with over 6 billion apps and games installed according to market research firm Research2Guidence.

Interesting its weather based apps that generate the most income from paid downloads in the Android marketplace, with games ranking at No.7 but the fastest growing type of download.

Developers have struggled to make profit from Android apps, the Rsearch2Guidence studies suggest that this is starting to improve.

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, one third of UK population uses smartphones and it’s a number that continues to grow. And while the iPhone continues to dominate the smartphone market, increasing numbers of people are using Android devices.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Android? Is it an operating system you’d consider developing for?

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

[Source: Gamasutra]

Train2Game students can hear indies speak at GameCityNights

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Train2Game students in Nottinghamshire have a great opportunity to find out how an indie studio works for themselves at GameCityNights later this month.

In their latest monthly event, GameCityNights will feature all three former Bizarre Creations developers of indie studio Hogrocket as they discuss their debut game Tiny Wings, their move away from Triple-A and life as an indie.

Of course, those who can’t make it to Nottingham can always read the Train2Game blog interview with Hogrocket co-founder Ben Ward in which similar subjects are covered.

“We’ve always loved the GameCity Festival and admired the hard-working folks behind it, so it’ll be great to take the stage once again in Nottingham” said Hogrocket’s Pete Collier.

“This time we’ll be sharing the experience of starting a brand new games studio, including all the ups and downs that go with it! We’ll also let you play Hogrocket’s first gaming creation: Tiny Invaders. See you there!”

The GameCityNights event will also be showcasing a number of indie games, which will no doubt be of interest to Train2Game students.

GameCityNights Season 2, Episode 7 takes place on Thursday 29th September from 6pm in central Nottignham. For more information, and for ticket prices, see the GameCityNights website.

So Train2Game, if you’re in the Nottingam area, will you be going? Do you see it as something useful to you?

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

Train2Game news: Sequels bad for developer creativity says LucasArts Clint Hocking

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Train2Game students are avid games and many will be looking forward upcoming sequels such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. However, the rushed yearly release schedule of huge titles such as the Call of Duty series may be negative for the industry.

That’s the view of LucasArt Creative Director Clint Hocking who believes that not only will audiences become bored, but making sequels isn’t good for individual game developers either.

“You may sell lots of copies of two or three sequels,” he wrote on the subject of sequels in Edge.

“But you will bore the audience very quickly and will have likely already spent all your money on the fourth sequel before realizing the audience is tired of the game and won’t buy it at all.”

Hocking also argues that churning out sequel after sequel isn’t good for game developers as limits their ability to be creative. While producing more of the same may lead to a successful game, it can come at the expense of the developers creativity.

“It might generate easy revenue” he said of sequels “But the long-term costs to the creative well-being of our workforce and the risk it places on our pipeline and workflow development, and on the skills we nurture and develop and will then need to leverage in making future games and (hopefully) new brands and franchises, should not be underestimated,”

Hocking previously worked on Far Cry 2. An interview with the Narrative Designer of its upcoming, er, sequel, Jason Vandenberghe, is available to read here on the Train2Game blog.

Creativity still exists in the games industry of course, and as the Train2Game blog recently reported, Ninja Theory believe the rise of digital distribution means that creativity will only increase.

Meanwhile, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 still contains the potential for creativity, as community produced multiplayer modes could make their way into the official game.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Hocking’s comments? Is developing sequels on a yearly basis boring for gamers and bad for developer creativity?

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

[Source: Edge]

Train2Game students split on potential of 3D gaming

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Train2Game students don’t appear to be fully convinced by comments made by Sony on the potential of 3D in gaming.

As reported by the Train2Game blog,  Sony Group Studio Director Mick Hocking believes the technology means we’re in “one of the most thrilling eras to be a gamer”

And while some Train2Game students on the Train2Game Facebook page believe in the potential of gaming in 3D, some see it as little more than a fad.

“If the 3D is right, I feel it adds to the immersion of the gaming experience” said Train2Game student Richard Meredith

“Maybe not so much in shooter’s as I feel that the screen has too much going on and can cause confusion, don’t get me wrong some areas are of shooters in 3D are great, but I feel 3D works best for racing, sports, and third person perspective games.”

And Train2Game student Danny Goddard believes it definitely has potential.

“Don’t think 3D tech is quite “there” yet.” he wrote on the Train2Game Facebook page

“However, I do consider it a stepping stone to greater things in the future of entertainment/Games industry.” He added.

Meanwhile, some Train2Game students believe 3D is nothing more than a gimmick which will eventually pass.

“3D is a fad the comes around every 10 years or so, sooner the better it goes the same way the HDDVD drive went for the 360” said Mark Byrne, while Louise Grundy believes 3D looks good, but is still just a fad.

“3D on the 3DS looked better than I expected, but it’s just a gimmick and nothing more.” She wrote on the Train2Game Facebook page

There are also those such as Calum Knight who believe 3D has potential, but needs to do more to avoid falling into a failed technology fad.

“If they ever get 3D to work with the gameplay of a game yes, if it’s just for showing off simply no. Current 3D is just a gimmicky fad at the moment.” he said.

And finally, responding to Train2Game via Twitter, Levi Dargue was more than a little cynical about Sony’s enthusiasm for 3D gaming.

“Of course they would say that, those shiny new overpriced 3DTV’s won’t sell themselves” he said.

Where do you stand on 3D?

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

Train2Game news: 3D means we’re in “one of the most thrilling eras to be a gamer” say Sony

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Train2Game students will probably be aware that Sony have a strong interested in 3D, with Uncharted 3 being seen as the game that could help bring the technology to the mainstream.

Resistance 3 is another big title that boasts 3D compatibility, which the Train2Game blog reported today debuted at No.4 in the UK Charts.

Sony believe that 3D will eventually enter gamers lives in a big way, but at the moment the technology is only just beginning to show what it’s capable of.

“Looking at the future of 3D, I think we’ve really only just begun to realize its potential as a creative medium.”  Sony Group Studio Director Mick Hocking told Industry Gamers.

“With the combination of 3D and motion control gaming with PlayStation Move, I think titles like Resistance 3 are just scratching the surface of what’s possible,” he argued.

And Hocking believes that the potential of 3D makes it a hugely exciting time to be a video game consumer.

“For those who may have been fans of some of the ‘virtual reality’ projects of the late 1980s and early 1990s, improvements in processing power and 3D screen resolution are creating virtual spaces that are more realistic than ever” he said.

“If you look at what PlayStation is doing now and the innovations that are being worked on in our Studios in 3D gaming, we’re living in one of the most thrilling eras to be a gamer,” the 3D enthusiast concluded.

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, 3D technology was a huge part of Sony’s E3 press conference. And last month Sony revealed a futuristic 3D headset, which while impressive, at a cost of around £500 is probably a little too expensive for most gamers.

Sony have long been evangelists for 3D gaming, but the technology is also starting to gain interest from their rivals Microsoft. Indeed, the upcoming Halo Anniversary from 343 will feature 3D compatibility.

“With Halo: Anniversary you are able to play the game in stereoscopic 3D and really, the important thing for us was to add features that didn’t impact gameplay but enhanced it, and 3D was a good opportunity to do that”

“So, we were able to add 3D into the game and you can play 3D in re-mastered mode however much you like” Producer Dennis Ries told the Train2Game blog in a recent interview

So Train2Game, what do you think is the potential of 3D technology? Will it enter the gaming mainstream? Or does it feel like a gimmick to you?

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

[Source: Industry Gamers]

Train2Game news: Activision plot ‘methodical’ entry into social & mobile gaming

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Train2Game students will be aware that many game developers are moving into digital, social and mobile gaming.

Indeed, as reported by the Train2Game blog, one of the biggest games industry publishers in the form of EA is massively committed to a digital push.

Their biggest rivals however, Activision, have been less keen to embrace digital. The Train2Game blog has previously reported that Activision CEO still sees a big future for traditional bricks and mortar retail rather than an all digital future.

And while Activision have yet to buy into social or mobile gaming in a significant way, their eventual entry will be ‘methodical’ Gamasutra report CFO Thomas Tippl told the Citi 2011 Tech Conference in New York City

We’re methodically investing in social and mobile gaming projects,” he said.

“While our goal is always to be number one in anything we do, even if we only get to half of our fair share in mobile and social over the next three years, it will still represent a significant upside, given that the mobile and social gaming markets have finally reached critical mass. And I expect it to grow at a double-digit clip for the foreseeable future.”

“We are certainly expanding the reach of our franchises through the platforms that are emerging,” the Activision CFO added.

Activision are starting to tip toe into the world of social media with their Call of Duty Elite service which will connect fans of the game with each other via mobile among other things.

As reported by the Train2Game blog, Elite will offer the chance for community game modes to become part of the official game.

And while Activision’s social media and mobile strategy is currently tied to their high profile brands.

“To date, we’ve mostly [explored social and mobile] around our existing franchises” said Tippl

“In the future you will see more activity on our part to broaden our social and mobile parts of the portfolio,” he added.

Of course, Activision isn’t totally foreign to digital markets, with 12 million – including some Train2Game students – people paying a monthly subscription for World of Warcraft.

What are your thoughts on Activisions digital and social strategy? Do they risk falling behind? Or are they wise to play the long game?

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

[Source: Gamasutra]

Train2Game student created multiplayer modes could become part of Modern Warfare 3

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Train2Game students will be aware that community created content can provide a way into the games industry. Indeed, the Train2Game blog has previously reported that LittleBigPlanet developers Media Molecule often the best community level creators.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is likely to be the biggest game of the year, it’s a game that’s popular among Train2Game students, and may prove even more so as members of the Call of Duty Elite community will have the chance to create new game modes.

“Community feedback is what drives most of our decision-making for post-launch support especially.”  Infinity Ward’s Rob Bowling told NowGamer.

“Because we want to see what they want more of, what they want tweaks on – be it more Spec Ops Survival, more multiplayer maps, new weapons, new game modes.”

Modern Warfare 3 will feature customisable multiplayer settings,  and it’s possible the most popular could end up as official game modes on official servers.

“Call of Duty: Elite is going be a massive help for us, because now, since you can create your own game modes in [a] private match, you can share those on Elite” said Bowling

“We’re going to be seeing the ones that are voted the highest, and we’ll see if we want to incorporate them into the public playlist,” he added.

Activision say Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will bring ‘the most advanced multiplayer ever’ when it’s released later this year.  See the Modern Warfare 3 trailer here on the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the possibility of community created modes being added to the main game? Would it encourage you to pay for the Call of Duty elite service?

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

[Source: NowGamer]

Train2Game news: THQ say future consoles won’t use discs

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Train2Game students who like to collect boxed games may find this a little hard to take, but the future of games consoles won’t involve discs.

That’s according to THQ CEO Brian Farrell who made the prediction during his keynote presentation at Cloud Gaming USA.

But it could be a good thing for Train2Game students, the game developers of the future, because according to Farrell the lack of a disc drive “will result in a lower cost for the hardware manufacturer, which will result in a lower cost to consumers and therefore a lower entry point, thus driving more mass market adoption.”

In addition to allowing more people to play games, the THQ CEO believes that any future consoles with no disc drive will generate more revenue for game developers.

“No physical goods cost for game makers. No inventory, no markdowns, and all the money spent by the consumer would go to the developer or publisher.” said Farrell.

Farrell also believes that cloud gaming will be beneficial for gaming communities

“Our games are always on and our players are always connected….We have the opportunity to interact with players in new ways that can be reactive to their desires, play habits, and buying habits.”

“The box, ship and done model is transitioning to: observe, measure, and modify, a games as a service model where direct consumer feedback allows the ability to operate in this always on, always connected environment.” he told Cloud Gaming USA.

Train2Game students will have the opportunity to try out cloud gaming for themselves at the upcoming Eurogamer Expo. As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, OnLive will be at the event and Train2Game students could get their hands on a free OnLive system to take home.

Of course, Train2Game will be highly visible at the Eurogamer Expo too, and are giving Train2Game students the opportunity to win an iPad 2 complete with an i OS developer account.

So Train2Game, what do you make of Farrell’s predictions? Do you think there will be consoles that don’t use discs in future? Is cloud gaming the way forward?

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

Train2Game’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier interview with Ubisoft

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Train2Game was at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany from 17th August to 21st August. While there, we spoke to three members of the Ubisoft Ghost Recon: Future Soldier team. They were Game Director Eric Couzian, Lead Game Designer Roman Campos Oriola and Associate Producer Thomas Leroux-Hugon.

In an in-depth interview with Train2Game they discuss new game design features for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, taking co-op into account during game development and adding Kinect motion controls to the game.

They also reveal how they got into the games industry and suggest how Train2Game students can follow in their footsteps.

Read the Train2Game Ghost Recon: Future Soldier interview below,  here on the Train2Game blog.

Train2Game news: Adding Kinect motion control ”not really difficult’ say Ghost Recon developers

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Train2Game students may be split over the potential of Kinect, but developing for the motion controller isn’t difficult…so long you know how you want to use it.

That’s according to the developers of the upcoming Ghost Recon: Future solider. The upcoming tactical squad shooter features Kinect compatibility in its Gunsmith mode, which as reported by the Train2Game blog was first revealed at E3.

The mode allows players to put together and take apart weapons using Kinect hand gestures, while motion control can also be used to test the weapons on an in-game firing range.

And developers Ubisoft say adding these features to Ghost Recon: Future soldier was relatively simple

“I think adding the motion control of Kinect to a game it’s not really difficult when you know what you want to do with it, when you know to add it into the game” Lead Game Designer Roman Campos Oriola told Train2Game at Gamescom.

“So for us Kinect for the gunsmith is there to enact the fantasy that you are really manipulating your weapons and customising them.”

Associate Producer Thomas Leroux-Hugon added that while Gunsmith mode was originally designed with a control pad in mind, its context meant adding Kinect compatibility made things simpler.

“In the very specific context of the gunsmith mode the design existed already as a pad driven design but Kinect added something that made things simpler in a way” said Lerouz-Hugon

“It’s always easier for us to work from a good ground and then something closer to the actual act of manipulating stuff.”

And Ubisoft are convinced they’ve found the right use for the motion controller, without having to think about it too much

“It could be like ‘we need to put some motion control in, what feature will do? Maybe we could have that?’ No. The case was we had a really clear mind about what we wanted to do with It.” added Oriola.

The full interview Ghost Recon: Future Soldier interview with Ubisoft will be published shortly.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Kinect in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier? Have Ubisoft found the right use? Do you have any ideas about how you’d like to use Kinect in games.

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