Category Archives: Train2Game

Train2Game

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – All 4 documentary films (Updated)

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game student teams took last month’s Make Something Unreal Contest at Gadget Show Live, with the task of building an iOS game based on the prestigious Fighting Fantasy series.

Now, you can see the progress each of the four made through Make Something Unreal Live in a new video from Train2Game! It features industry figures including Cliff Bleszinski, Jon Hare, Peter Molyneux and Ian Livingstone providing advice to Train2Game students as they developed their game.

We have upgraded all the team videos on YouTube, so if you are linking to them you will need the new URLs which you can find below. 

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The Commando Kiwi Story 

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The Derp Studios Story

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The IndigoJam Story 

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The Digital Mage Story

They’re also all available, with much more, on the Train2Game YouTube channel.

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

Train2Game News: LittleBigPlanet and Driver: San Francisco writer to talk games writing at GameCityNights

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students can get an expert insight into games writing from LittleBigPlanet and Driver: San Francisco writer Dean Wilkinson when he appears at GameCityNights later this month.

GameCityNights are monthly events which take place in Nottingham that explore video games and the culture around them.

Not only does Wilkinson have plenty of experience in video games writing, he’s also written comedy for TV, radio and books.

“This is the first writing-focused gig we’ve staged at GameCityNights, so it’s a privilege and an honour o be welcoming one of the best in the business along” said GameCity Director Iain Simons.

Bennett Foddy, creator of QWOP, GIRP and Pole Riders and Ed Key, creator of Proteus, will also appear at the event sharing their inspirations and aspirations over Skype.

GameCityNights Episode 5 takes place in Nottingham on Thursday 31st May from 6pm. Tickets cost £5 in advance, and can be booked at http://nights.gamecity.org

Previous speakers at GameCityNights include Dear Esther creator Dan Pinchbeck. There’s more information here on The Train2Game Blog.

Will you be going to GameCityNights later this month? What would you be most interested in finding out?

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

Train2Game News: Mass Effect 3 producer praises benefits of modding for aspiring developers

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students looking to show that they have that little bit of extra dedication in attempting to break into the games industry should be building and finishing mods.

That’s according to BioWare producer Michael Gamble, who is currently focusing on Mass Effect 3 DLC.

Speaking to the BioWare Blog, he said building a fully working mod shows potential employers that you can finish something that you’ve started.

“Work on a lot of mods and finish them. This shows that you have the rigor to complete something you have started, and gets you working in a team environment.” said Gamble.

“Developing mods will also show you what it’s like to pour your heart into a creative work, and to expect nothing in return!” he added.

The BioWare producer’s advice is almost identical to what id Software creative director Tim Willits has previously told The Train2Game Blog.

“What I suggest to people who want to get in the industry is find their favourite engine – Unreal, Source, it doesn’t matter, id tech – find whatever engine they like, what games they like to play, get the mod tools and make a mod.” he said.

“And make sure they complete it! Lots of times we have people who send resumes’ in with 20 half completed mods; we don’t want that, we want a handful of one’s that are actually done, and that’s really important.” Willits added.

There’s more advice from industry professionals right here on The Train2Game Blog, while be sure to keep reading for the latest news from BioWare.

What are your thoughts on the advice from BioWare producer Michael Gamble? Are you already following it?

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

Train2Game News: Aliens: Colonial Marines delayed until 2013

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game News recently reported that both Tomb Raider and Bioshock Infinite have been delayed until 2013, and now Gearbox Software and SEGA’s Aliens: Colonial Marines has suffered the same fate.

The game based on the classic film franchise was previously delayed from a spring release date to autumn, and now until next year. It’ll be released on February 12th 2013.

“I am thrilled to announce the definitive launch date for Aliens: Colonial Marines,” said President of Gearbox Software Randy Pitchford. “Aliens: Colonial Marines is the culmination of a life-time of inspiration from the films and relentless passion and drive from the exceptionally talented development team behind the scenes.”

“We knew this game would be incredible from the moment Gearbox began developing Aliens: Colonial Marines,” said  SEGA Senior Vice President of Marketing for Gary Knight,  “Now that the title is in its final stretch of development, we can confidently release the exact date that gamers will finally get to experience this blockbuster thrill-ride.”

Aliens: Colonial Marines is scheduled to appear at PC and indie gaming show Rezzed in July.

There’s more from Gearbox Software here on the Train2Game Blog.

What are your thoughts on the Aliens: Colonial Marines delay?

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

Train2Game News: Reminder – Blitz Games ‘meet the experts’ live stream tonight

Posted on by
Reply


Train2Game students can get advice from experienced industry professionals when Blitz Games host a live ‘meet the experts’ web chat at 6:30 p.m. this evening.

“Two of Blitz’s experienced programmers from our BlitzTech and R&D teams will be sharing their knowledge on a variety of topics aimed at aspiring newcomers to the industry as well as experienced coders looking to further their career in a new field or specialism.” reads the announcement on the Blitz website, suggesting that this session will be of particular interest to Train2Game game developers, who’ll be able to watch it here.

Will you be tuning in tonight?

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

Train2Game News: XCOM: Enemy Unknown developer diary discusses ‘modernising a classic’

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students can get behind the scenes of XCOM: Enemy Unknown in the latest developer diary from Firaxis and 2K Games.

The new video, entitled ‘Modernising A Classic’ sees lead programmer Casey O’Toole speaking about developing XCOM: Enemy Unknown and how they’re bringing the classic strategy title into the modern age.

Watch the developer diary below, right here on The Train2Game Blog.

There’s more about XCOM: Enemy Unknown here.

What are your thoughts on the developer diary?

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

Train2Game News: UK Charts – Max Payne 3 beats Diablo III to No.1

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game Blog readers see Max Payne 3 take top spot of the UK charts this week, with Rockstar’s action title beating off competition from fellow debutant Diablo III for No.1.

It’s the first time a Max Payne title has debited at No.1, with Max Payne 3 outselling its 2003 predecessor by almost ten to one.

PC exclusive Diablo III therefore has to settle for No.2 on its first week on sale, despite being the 12th fastest selling PC game of all time. FIFA Street drops to No.3,  former No.1 Sniper Elite V2 drops to No.4, while FIFA 12 slips to No.5.

Prototype 2 is No.6 this week, one spot ahead of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 which re-enters the top ten.  Battlefield 3 and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations are up one spot each, while Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games completes the top ten.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 19th May is therefore as follows:

1. Max Payne 3 (Rockstar)
2. Diablo III (Blizzard)
3. FIFA Street (EA)
4. Sniper Elite V2 (505 Games)
5. FIFA 12 (EA)
6. Prototype 2 (Activision)
7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
8. Battlefield 3 (EA)
9. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
10. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Sega)

New releases this week include Dragon’s Dogma and DiRT Showdown.

What are your thoughts on this week’s charts? Which game do you think will claim No.1 next week?

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

Train2Game news: Unreal Engine 4 unveiled by Epic Games

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game students can get a first glimpse at Unreal Engine 4 from Epic Games in a huge feature published by Wired.  It contains the first details about the engine that’s hotly tipped to appear alongside next-gen consoles.

“There is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of our engine team and our studio to drag this industry into the next generation,” said Epic Games’ design director Cliff Bleszinski, who last month provided advice to Train2Game students during Make Something Unreal Live.

“It is up to Epic, and Tim Sweeney in particular, to motivate Sony and Microsoft not to phone in what these next consoles are going to be. It needs to be a quantum leap. They need to damn near render Avatar in real time, because I want it and gamers want it—even if they don’t know they want it.”

It isn’t the first time Bleszinski has called for Avatar like visuals for PlayStation 4 and Xbox 720 consoles.

Epic Games founder Tim Sweeny is more reserved, but hints that they’ll have a hand in suggesting the performance for next-gen consoles.

“We’re much more in sync with the console makers than any other developer is. That means we can give detailed recommendations with a complete understanding of what is going to be commercially possible.” he said.

Read the huge Unreal Engine 4 feature and see images of what it looks like over at Wired.

There’s more Unreal Engine 4 news here on The Train2Game Blog.

What are your initial impressions of Unreal Engine 4? What do you think it needs to bring to the table?

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

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – All 4 documentary films

Posted on by
Reply

Train2Game student teams took last month’s Make Something Unreal Contest at Gadget Show Live, with the task of building an iOS game based on the prestigious Fighting Fantasy series.

Now, you can see the progress each of the four made through Make Something Unreal Live in a new video from Train2Game! It features industry figures including Cliff Bleszinski, Jon Hare, Peter Molyneux and Ian Livingstone providing advice to Train2Game students as they developed their game. Links to each of the 15 minute documentaries are below.

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The Commando Kiwi Story 

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The Derp Studios Story

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The IndigoJam Story 

Train2Game at Gadget Show Live 2012 – The Digital Mage Story

They’re also all available, with much more, on the Train2Game YouTube channel.

As usual, leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Free-to-play “the only sustainable option” for MMOs say Turbine

Posted on by
1

Train2Game Blog readers will have noticed how many MMOs have switched from being subscription based to a free-to-play model, including Turbine’s Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeon and Dragons Online.

And Turbine has told games.on.net that free-to-play might now be the only sustainable model for MMOs.

“The great thing about F2P is that it makes it a lot easier for players to check out the game or even come and go from another game,” said the unnamed interviewee.

“We continue to have hundreds of thousands of players in DDO every month and I doubt that could be the case if we were in a classic subscription model. It also allows different players to spend more or less in the game and everyone can contribute to the community in different ways and we can focus on improving the service for everyone. Overall it was and continues to be a great change for our game.”

“Is it sustainable? We would argue that it might be the only sustainable option.” they added.

Of course, the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic and the continued success of World of Warcraft suggests there’s still some life in subscription MMOs yet.

There’s on free-to-play here on The Train2Game Blog.

What do you think is the future for MMOs? Will everything end up free-to-play? Or will there still be a demand for subscription based games?

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