Train2Game student Guy Mayne has been on a Train2Game work placement at DR Studios. In his latest industry experience diaries, he details what he’s been up at the Milton Keynes based game development studio.
Read what Guy has to say about his Train2Game work placement here on The Train2Game Blog, or on The Train2Game Scribd page. Read previous Train2Game industry diaries from Guy here on The Train2Game Blog.
As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
Train2Game Game Developer Darren Price is on a Train2Game work placement at Double Eleven, a studio that has been named by Industry Gamers as one to keep an eye on this year. The studio is currently developing LittleBigPlanet for the PlayStation Vita.
In his latest Train2Game industry experience diary, Darren writes the less serious side of the industry after his experiences at the Double Eleven Christmas Party.
Read it right here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game Scribd page.
You can also read more Train2Game industry experience diaries from Darren Price here on The Train2Game Blog.
Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on The Train2Game forum.
Train2Game Art & Animation students who want to build in-game environments will be interested in this one, as EA Environment Artist Philip Simmons has offered advice on getting into that particular area.
Simmons can certainly be classed as an Environment Art expert, as he designed the environments for Dead Space 2. He told EA’s Breaking into the Industry that the best way to become an environment artist is to build your own worlds.
“The easiest way to become an Environment Artist is to be a World Builder. If you’re going through school, lots of schools will try to get you to be a Prop Artist, because props are the easiest things to turn around and make nice-looking.” said Simmons.
“The problem with that is that most prop work gets outsourced. Companies need people who can make entire spaces. And to get those jobs, you have to show that you can realize an environment in its entirety, concept it, build it, and handle it – all by yourself.” he added.
The full interview sees Simmons discuss other subjects including creating environments, how he got into the industry and his typical day at the office. It’s an interesting read for Train2Game students and you can find it on ea.com
EA previously published an interview Dead Space 2 game designer Brian Bartram in which he offered advice to game designers. Train2Game students can read that here.
So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Simmons advice? Are there any Train2Game Art & Animation students out there who want to be environment artists?
Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: EA]
Train2Game forum users are familiar with the success of Minecraft, the indie game that brought huge success for its creator Markus ‘Notch’ Persson and his studio Mojang.
And while it’s unlikely that all indie titles will match the huge success of Minecraft, Notch believes it’s easier to be an indie developer now than ever before, which is potentially good news for Train2Game students!
“I think it’s easier to be an indie game developer these days because back in the day it wasn’t called being an “indie developer” but a “garage programmer.” You weren’t expected to charge for your game so you couldn’t do it. People never charged. It was just a hobby.” he told PC Gamer.
“I think it’s much easier these days, but there’s still no guarantee you’ll make a profit. If you’re doing it out of passion and just want to get some money back it’s definitely doable.” the Minecraft creator added.
Notch also discussed whether after selling almost 5 million copies of Minecraft, Mojang still count as “indie” developers.
“I don’t think [Mojang] are indie in the sense of how I used to work anymore, because we have a payroll to worry about and we need to do stuff to ensure the company lasts,” he said.
“We have other stuff which influences what we do other than trying to focus on the games. We make sure me and Jacob are only focusing on game development so the founders are still developing” Notch continued.
“But as a company, I don’t think we are indie in the sense that I used to mean it. But in the other sense of indie – as in we make games we want to play without having any external dependencies – then yeah, we’re indie.” The Minecraft creator concluded.
As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, Notch has stepped down as lead developer of Minecraft in order to concentrate on other projects.
Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest Minecraft news.
So Train2Game, do you agree that it’s easier to be an indie developer nowadays? And what’s your definition of an “indie” studio or game?
Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: PC Gamer]
Train2Game Game Designer Craig Moore has been on a Train2Game work placement at DR Studios. In his latest industry experience diaries, he details what he’s been up at the Milton Keynes based game development studio.
Read what Craig has to say about his Train2Game work placement here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game Scribd page.
Craig’s previous Train2Game industry experience diariesare here on The Train2Game Blog.
As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
Train2Game students will soon be able to their hands on official modding tools for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, according to a post on the Bethesda Blog.
“The Creation Kit and Steam Workshop are nearly ready. We’re currently working with members of Valve and our modding community to do some final testing, and we’re on track for a public release near the end of the month.” reads the Bethesda update.
“We think Skyrim modding is one of the game’s best features, and we have the best modders of any game. It’s been a lot of exciting work for us, and we can’t wait to unleash it.”
The Skyrim Creation Kit contains the tools that were used to develop The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim itself.
As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, the free modding tools will allow users to create and share content, and will also integrate Valve’s Steam Workshop. Train2Game forum users are already gearing up for the release of Skyrim’s official mod tools, which will provide them with a great opportunity to practice their skills.
The Train2Game Blog has previously shown you some of the stranger Skyrim mods, including ones that let you turn Dragons into My Little Pony or “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and a mod that turns Mudcrabs into Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg.
Not only is modding an excellent way for those on Train2Game courses to practice their skills, but it can also provide that extra experience needed to get into the games industry.
“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” Valve’s Chet Faliszek previously told the Train2Game blog about of modding.
Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news about modding and how it could benefit you.
So Train2Game, are you looking forward to the Skyrim Creation Kit? Will you be using it?
Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
Train2Game Art & Animation student Fee Stewart recently appeared as a guest on RTI FM to talk about Train2Game.
The mum of three told Postcard from Poprad about her experiences with Train2Game and what she’s been working on as part of a Train2Game student placement at award winning independent game developer Radiation Burn.
You can read part one of Fee’s interview here or on the Train2Game Scribd page, while part two is here. Alternatively, you can listen to Fee on RTI here.
RTI: So Fee, let’s start out by finding out and telling the listeners, who you are.
Fee: I’m Fee Stewart, I’m a mum of three. My oldest is 16 at college now and my youngest is seven.
That means you’re a busy mum?
I am a busy mum, yes and I decided that I wanted a career now that my children are a bit older. So, I’ve gone and retrained.
But didn’t you have some sort of home work or job that you were doing before children? There must have been life before children.
Oh yes, there was life before children. I’ve always been in the arts world, a bit. I trained as a fine artist and before that a graphic designer.
Does that mean you’re a Michelangelo type?
Not at all, no! [Laughs]
What does fine art mean then?
I did fine art painting and printing, so it was painting on canvases, yes, a bit like Michelangelo, but not half as good as Michelangelo!
Was it because you got bored at home or were you genuinely driven to get something new to do?
A bit of both actually, I’ve been at home for 16 years while I’ve been bringing up my children, and I’m just fed up of being at home on my own and I really wanted to get back out into the work place and feel that I’ve achieved something and done something useful outside of just being a mum.
But that presents one major problem of course. That even though the kids are growing up, mum’s still on call 24/7.
She is but I have a very supportive partner.
I saw an article in the newspaper about that Fee where they reckon if mum got paid all that she was due in terms of wages, she would earn £250,000 a year.
If not more Eric! We’re worth our weight in gold I think.
And with today’s money you’re probably right! OK, so you decided to make a change for you, that was the important thing? And was it just financial, or was it just an opportunity to do something? What was the motivation, why did you want to change?
The motivation is both really. I think it’s quite hard to get back out, as a mum, interview the workplace especially when you haven’t been out into a job for a long time. And I wanted to do something that I really enjoyed doing as well. So, having followed an art path most of my life, it had to be something to do with that, so I looked around and found a course and have started retraining to do video games.
RTI: OK, so number 1 you’re changing the rules because mum doesn’t want to be bored at home anymore, and then number 2, you’re going in what is known as a male dominated world. Or is that wrong?
Fee: No, it’s a very male dominated world, there’s not many of us girls in it, we could do with some more.
Looking for comrades are you? Anyone out there listening who wants to get into games, we’ll put you in touch with Fee! You’re in this male dominated world, are you looking to do something where you’d have your own business, or are you going to work for somewhere in the traditional way? What’s the game plan?
Well I’m not 100% sure what the game plan is at the moment. I’m working at a studio called Radiation Burn in Middlesbrough at the moment…
Backtrack, you’re working? How did that happen?
Well, the Train2Game course I’m on actually provides work placements; this was through them that I was given the opportunity to go on work placement, and I’m still there at the moment. I’ve been there four months now.
Well actually that’s quite clever because id you’d gone straight into a workplace after not being in work for 16 years, it’d have been quite dramatic I would have thought, whereas doing it this way it’s a little bit more gentle.
It is more gentle, definitely. I wouldn’t have said that it was that much easier, I mean you are expected to work very hard just like you would be if you’d gone from a proper job. So it’s not any easier by going on work placement, but it certainly gives you a very good insight as to what the job involves from the people in the industry and it’s very exciting and I’m enjoying it.
Part two of RTI FM’s interview with Train2Game Art & Animation student Fee Stewart will be online shortly. As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on The Train2Game Forum.
Train2Game students might be interested in this opportunity with Ninja Theory, the Cambridge studio is looking for two Junior QA Technicians.
Ninja Theory are the team behind Heavenly Sword and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. Their next title is DMC, a reboot of the Devil May Cry Series.
The two advertised positions don’t require any previous experience and could therefore potentially provide two Train2Game students with that vital first job in the games industry. The Ninja Theory Job advert reads as follows:
“We’re looking for two Junior QA Technicians to join our experienced QA team for a four month contract. Under the guidance of more senior team members you will conduct functionality and play-testing as appropriate during the development cycle in order to detect and confirm software deficiencies, reliability, ease of use, and any other areas as directed in order to ensure the overall highest quality of the project.
You’ll take part in maintaining efficient and accurate play-tests producing accurate and detailed reports and working to an ethos of continual process improvement. Following industry and internal best practice guidelines for process of play testing and usability tests you’ll need to highlight any potential risks found with milestones, production tasks and wider studio output.
It’s important you can explain any bugs you find to other studio members so it’s crucial that you are able to create and maintain strong working relationships with other disciplines gaining a good understanding of each requirements and specific method of working.”
Naturally, this could be a great opportunity for a Train2Game Games QA Tester in particular, but Train2Game students of all disciplines may be keen to get their foot in the door.
For more information about the Junior QA Technician positions, and to learn how to apply, visit the Ninja Theory website.
Good luck to any Train2Game students to apply for the positions.
Keep up to date with the latest news in QA Testing here on The Train2Game Blog.
Train2Game student fans of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim can now replace its dragons with My Little Pony.
That’s if you install the Pony Dragon mod which changes the dragons into a My Little Pony, Fluttershy if we’re being precise about these things. The mod even alters the dragons sound to sound more like a Pony’s neigh.
At the time of writing on The Train2Game Blog, The Pony Dragon mod has been downloaded over 450 times. You can see the mod in action in the video below.
Like what you see? Then you can download it from Skyrim Nexus here. However, you’ll have to choose between this, or the “Macho Man” Dragon mod which has previously appeared on The Train2Game Blog. That changes Skyrim’s dragons into the late, great, wrester “Macho Man” Randy Savage.
And if changing your dragons into a Macho Man or a Pony isn’t enough, then as previously reported on The Train2Game Blog, there’s a mod which changes Mud crabs into Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg.
As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, official modding tools for Skyrim, featuring Valve integration, are set to be released sometime this month.
Not only is modding an excellent way for those on Train2Game courses to practice their skills, but it can also provide that extra experience needed to get into the games industry.
“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” Valve’s Chet Faliszek previously told the Train2Game blog on the subject of modding.
Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news about modding and how it could benefit you.
So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the My Little Pony mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim? Will you be installing it? Or is it a bit silly?
Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or here on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: VG247]
Train2Game students looking for work in the industry, or applying for placement schemes, will know that a good CV is of the utmost importance.
They’ll therefore be highly interested in Develop’s latest ‘New Year, New Job’ feature in which Mind Candy’s Head of Recruitment Richard Chipchase gives advice on how to write a stand out CV.
Fast growing, East London based Mind Candy are the studio behind Moshi Monsters.
CV’s should be treated like a first interview. Get it wrong and you won’t be progressing to the next stage Every recruiter, HR person or agency will have a different opinion on what’s good and what’s not so the best way to improve your CV is simply to go back to basics.” said Chipchase.
“ Ensure you have a Profile, Skills, Key Successes, Career History, Education and Hobbies/Interests section included in the content. Make sure the CV is no longer than two-pages – this differs from country to country – and make sure there are absolutely no spelling or grammatical mistakes whatsoever.”
The Mind Candy Head of Recruitment added that including a portfolio is essential, especially for artists.
“Bullet points are great, gaps in career history should be explained and never forget to include your contact details and link to your portfolio if you’re an artist.” he said.
“If you want to do something a bit crazy with your CV to stand out from the crowd, this is fine but research who will be receiving it and the type of company you are sending it to. It might be entirely wrong for a bank, but perfect for a creative. Again, do your research.” Chipchase added.
Read the feature in full here.
Train2Game students should keep an eye on Develop Online’s jobs feature for more excellent advice from industry professionals. Previous articles include PopCap on how to be a better game designer , and advice from Valve’s Gabe Newell on how to be a better developer.
So Train2Game, have you started to write a CV yet? If so, do you have any advice to share of your own?
Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: Develop]
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