Category Archives: Student

Train2Game news: PopCap provide advice on becoming a better game designer

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Train2Game game designers should definitely have a look the latest article in Develop Online’s ‘New Year, New Job’ feature, as social game developer PopCap provides advice on how to be a better game designer.

PopCap are responsible for a huge number of games including Plants vs. Zombies, Bejewled and Peggle, and the guide to becoming a better game designer comes from their Senior Designer Dave Bishop. Check out his advice below.

1. Look at/play as many games as you can; not just ones you would naturally gravitate towards.

2. Circulate your thoughts/findings/learnings, especially  where you believe a game breaks new ground and/or does something particularly well – or badly – where lessons can be learnt.

3. Publish the above on your own design related, blog.

4. Organise/run board game evenings (and make sure you play King of Tokyo J)

5. Look for any way to get/be involved in the creative process – ask to be invited to/included in brainstorm and design review sessions. Do your homework so you are well placed to contribute in a meaningful and ‘memorable’ fashion.

6. If already in a design team then offer to help/support/review the design work of your peers.

7. Study design trends and best practices, especially in emerging areas such as social gaming, and position yourself as the company’s expert in one or more of these specific areas of game design.

8. In your own time, create new design ideas/concepts that might fit into your company’s future produce strategy. Look for ways to present these to the key stakeholders within your organisation.

9. Try to attend conferences/seminars etcetera. that will broaden your experience base; for example GDC.

10. Look for opportunities to attend any relevant training likely to enhance you skill set and standing within your organisation; for example, scrum master, product owner, running successful brainstorm sessions etcetera.

It’s excellent advice for Train2Game game designers, who along with all other Train2Game students should keep an eye on Develop Online’s jobs feature for more excellent advice from industry professionals.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the advice from PopCap? Has it given you some new ideas?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Develop Online]

Train2Game launches Train2Game TV

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Train2Game are pleased to announce a new addition to our media network in the form of Train2Game TV.

Train2Game TV features every Train2Game video to date, divided into three separate categories for viewer convenience.

‘What The Experts Say’ features advice from industry professionals on how to get into the games industry, and their views on current industry trends.  ‘Putting Skills To The Test’ features footage and interviews from the Train2Game Gam Jams, and shows Train2Game students using the abilities they’ve learned on Train2Game courses to develop games. Meanwhile, ‘Student Diaries’ features Train2Game students talking about their experience on Train2Game courses.

Check out the brand new Train2Game TV website here.

Remember, you can also listen to interviews with industry experts and Train2Game students on Train2Game Radio.

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Gabe Newell offers advice to aspiring game developers

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Train2Game students will know Gabe Newell as one of the most respected  veteran developers in the industry.

The Valve founder has spoken to Develop Online as part of their New Year, New Job feature and offers advice to those looking to begin their path into the games industry as an independent developer. It’s a must read for Train2Game students looking to found their own businesses.

The man behind the Half-Life series says the most important thing for an independent game developer is to treat their customers fairly.

“Do not focus on anyone but your customers. Your reputation will follow you forever so always be fair to your customers, and certainly one thing you need to always remember is that your customers are not going to be fooled.” Newell told Develop.

“Some people think they can get away with something and just hope people won’t see it through the bullshit. The internet is way smarter than any of us.”

“In terms of business, do not take out huge advances to fund projects, because they are only loans, and have strings attached.” he added.

Train2Game students have received advice about getting into the industry from Valve before, as part of to The Train2Game Blog interview with Chet Faliszek. The game writer told us that modding is “a really good way” to get noticed in the industry.

“It’s a really good way for someone to get noticed because it shows that you’re able” he told The Train2Game Blog.

“Normally modders have to work as a team and that’s important, and they also have to be able to finish something and that’s really important. So those two things together are a really good way to demonstrate that you’re ready to work in the industry.”

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Gabe Newell’s advice? Will you be taking it on board?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Develop Online]

Train2Game students disagree with Kojima on demand for non-FPS games

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Train2Game students gave a huge response to yesterday’s Train2Game Blog post about Hideo Kojima’s belief that the success of shooters means there isn’t a strong demand for other types of game.

It seems that for the most part, Train2Game students believe the Metal Gear Solid creator is wrong about this one, with plenty making comments on the Train2Game Facebook page.

For example, Train2Game student Scott Muir pointed to the success of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and the growth of mobile gaming.

There’s this game called Skyrim that was released recently, he should go check it out. Fairly sure it knocked a FPS off the top of the UK Charts, so much for no demand for anything else.” said Scott

“I could’ve sworn Angry Birds and the like was pretty popular too. There’s more than just one market to look at and aim for.” he added.

Train2Game student James Pottinger agreed, arguing that Kojima has expressed a narrow view of the market, but also that developers should try to produce more innovative games.

“Pity Kojima doesn’t seem to have a wide view of the market. More people should play games like Psychonauts. Developers need to produce more innovative and exciting titles that aren’t FPS’s to encourage gamers to play different things.” he said.

But according to Train2Game student Laurence Gee, Kojima is right about the popularity of shooters.

“He is right, it is a shame how all these FPS games that are just so similar to each other are eating up our escaping world of gaming fun. Should always be games of pure madness to help us escape.” he said.

Train2Game student David Cull added that modern shooters are far too similar to each other, and that platformers or RPGs provide more fun.

“FPS is an ok genre but it’s too heavily focused on military warfare, I still play some of the older style FPS but even then I’d still rather play a platform game or an RPG.” he said.

Do you how views on Kojima’s comments? If so, you can still get involved with the debate here on The Train2Game Blog, on the Train2Game Facebook page, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game student Fee Stewart presents her 2nd Video Diary

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Train2Game student video diary from  Train2Game Artist & Animator Fee Stewart. In her second Train2Game video diary, Fee tells us about her time at The EuroGamer Expo and Women In Games Conference, and reveals her latest TMA score. Watch Fee’s video diary below, right here on The Train2Game blog.

You can also see Fee’s first Train2Game video diary here.

What are your thoughts on Fee’s second Train2Game video diary?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Epic Games provide CV writing advice in Develop feature

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Train2Game students who are already attempting to find work in a games industry should definitely check out Develop Online for advice from Epic Games on how to write the perfect CV.

The article sees Epic Games recruiter Tim Johnson give anyone job hunting in the games industry ten tips for an excellent CV. The tips, listed on Develop Online as part of a New Year, New Jobs feature, make excellent reading for Train2Game students who are keen to take that first step into the industry.

Epic’s tips for an excellent CV are as follows:

1. Use spell check.

2. Make sure that your CV is put into a universally accepted format (MS Word, PDF). Please don’t use a text editor to write your CV.

3. Clearly and concisely list your responsibilities; four or five bullet points are a lot easier to read than a paragraph of text.

4. Include links to work you have created or authored.

5. Make sure you include a link to samples or a portfolio on your resume.

6. Include both your phone number and e-mail address. Sometimes, a hiring manager or recruiter will actually want to call you.

7. Leave the fancy fonts and tables for your portfolio. A lot of companies store resumes in an applicant tracking system, so the more straightforward your resume is, the better.  In short, make it easy to read.

8. Include the companies you have worked for along with the title you have held at each company.

9. Make an effort to use industry standard key words to explain your job duties and responsibilities.

10. Use spell check. Yes, I said it twice, but a resume with misspelled words is a really bad way to make a good first impression.

They’re all important things Train2Game students should consider when compiling a CV!  Of course, as reported by the Train2Game blog, there are some Train2Game students who’ve already been fortunate enough to find work in the industry.

If that isn’t enough advice for you, Epic Games Cliff Bleszinski has also given his own unique guidance on how to stand out in the games industry, which you can see here on The Train2Game Blog.

Train2Game the Epic Games worked together to host the Train2Game & Epic Game Jam over the first week of November. The Train2Game Blog interviewed Epic’s European Territory Manager Mike Gamble at the Game Jam. You can also read his take on the Train2Game & Epic Game Jam on the Unreal Insider Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the advice on writing a CV from Epic?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Develop Online]

Train2Game Radio wants you to be its next star!

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Train2Game Radio needs your help!

As regular readers of The Train2Game Blog will know, Train2Game students are regularly featured on Train2Game Radio. In these short interviews, Train2Game students about themselves, the reasons they chose to join a Train2Game course, and what their hopes for the future are.

The Train2Game student interviews are then uploaded to Train2Game Radio, and their transcripts are posted here on The Train2Game Blog.

If you want to want to hear how interviews sound before you decide to volunteer for one, just go back and listen to one of the many student interviews from 2011 on our Audioboo website.

You can also see transcripts of interviews here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game Scribd page.

If you’re interested in being interviewed for Train2Game Radio, you just need these two things in addition to a computer or laptop with an internet connection

  • A Skype account and username
  • A microphone that’s plugged into or attached to your computer.

It doesn’t matter which Train2Game course you’re on, be it Games Designer, Games Developer, Games Artist & Animator or Games QA Tester, we want to hear from you!

So, want to be the next star of Train2Game Radio? Leave a comment here on The Train2Game Blog, email Train2Game Blog Editor Danny, or leave a comment in the thread on the Train2Game forum and we’ll be touch.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Train2Game news: Your chance to join CCP’s DUST 514 closed beta

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Train2Game students have the opportunity to join a closed beta for CCP’s upcoming PlayStation 3 title DUST 514, as long as they’re an active subscriber of Eve Online.

Registration for ‘DUST 514: Mordu’s Private Trials’ was announced by CCP via the Eve Online Developer Blog.  Those who are selected for the DUST 514 beta will gain access to early testing and ‘special events’

DUST 514 is a PlayStation 3 exclusive MMOFPS set in the Eve Online universe and is scheduled for a release in Spring. Train2Game students with an Eve Online account that wish to register for the DUST 514 beta can do so here.

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.

The Train2Game Blog will be sure to keep you up to date with the latest beta testing opportunities.

So Train2Game, are you an Eve Online subscriber? If so, will you apply for a place in the DUST 514 beta test?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: VG247]

Train2Game news: Mod adds Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg to Skyrim

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Train2Game blog readers will know that here, we’re fans of modding, because not only does it allow you to practice your game development skills,  but it gives you a portfolio to show potential employers.

However, it’s also a way to add more silliness and fun to games, and that’s exactly what a modder named Snoopey has done with his Doctor Zoidberg Mudcrab mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It was released was released towards the end of last month.

The mod does exactly what it says it will, replacing the skins and sounds of Skyrim’s mud crabs with the likeness and voice clips of Futurama’s Doctor Zoidberg.  You can see the Zoidberg Mudcrabs in action in the video below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

Want to use the Doctor Zoidburg Mudcrab mod? Download it here.

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.

“Normally modders have to work as a team and that’s important, and they also have to be able to finish something and that’s really important. So those two things together are a really good way to demonstrate that you’re ready to work in the industry.”

Id Software’s Tim Willits has also previously told the Train2Game Blog that modding is a great way to get into the games industry.

So Train2Game, what would you use the Doctor Zoidberg mod? Is modding something you’d like to try in 2012?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Beefjack]

Train2Game news: UK Charts – FIFA 12 stays No.1 as Star Wars: The Old Republic nosedives

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Train2Game students see FIFA 12 take the honour of being the UK’s final chart topper of 2011, while Star Wars: The Old Republic drops 28 places.

It’s FIFA 12’s fourth appearance as the UK’s best seller of the week and as reported by The Train2Game Blog, the football sim first took No.1 with its release last October, becoming the third ever biggest video game launch in the UK.

It’s also the second No.1 in a row for FIFA 12, which also topped the charts the previous week.

The success of FIFA 12 denies Activisions Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which has to settle for No.2, one place ahead of EA’s Battlefield 3. Just Dance 3 drops one spot to No.4, while Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed: Revelations is a non-mover at No.5.

Saints Row: The Third and Need For Speed: The Run are also both non-movers at No.6 and No.7 respectively, while Christmas No.1, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, remains at No.8. Mario Kart 7 and Forza Motorsport 4 complete the top ten.

Star Wars: The Old Republic slips from No.10 to No. 38 in just its second week on sale. It’s worth noting however, that EA and Bioware’s MMO is also available as a digital download. The Train2Game Blog interviewed Bioware founders Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk towards the end of last year.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 31st December 2011 is therefore as follows:

1. FIFA 12 (EA)
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
3. Battlefield 3 (EA)
4. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
5. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
6. Saints Row: The Third (THQ)
7. Need for Speed: The Run (EA)
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
9. Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo)
10. Forza Motorsport 4 (Microsoft)

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the UK Charts this week? What do you make of the massive drop in sales for Star Wars: The Old Republic?

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