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Train2Game News: UK Charts – Final Fantasy XIII-2 is No.1

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Train2Game blog Final Fantasy XII-2 screenshotTrain2Game students see Final Fantasy XIII-2 take top spot of the UK Charts, in a week in which three new entries make the top five.

It’s Square Enix’s RPG sequel that’s the first new No.1 of 2012, with the Japanese developed title following in the footsteps of its predecessor which was the UK’s best selling Final Fantasy game of all time.

It’s another new entry from Japan at No.2, with the Metal Gear Solid HD collection from Konami performing very well in its first week on sale.  Battlefield 3 climbs two places to take No.3, while previous chart topper FIFA 12 slips to No.4 after six consecutive weeks at No.1. Another Japanese developed new entry in the form of Soulcalibur V from Namco Bandai completes the top five.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations continues its revival, rising three to No.6, placing it ahead of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 which drops five to No.7.  The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim also drops five places to No.8, but that won’t stop Train2Game students looking forward to using the soon to be released modding tools.

Just Dance 3 and Saints Row: The Third complete this week’s top ten, while the Zumba Fitness and Zumba Fitness 2  drop to No.11 and No.13 respectively. Meanwhile, Resident Evil: Revelations plummets from No.6, all the way down to No.19 in its second week on sale.

The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 4th February 2012 is therefore as follows:

1. Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Square Enix)
2. Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (Konami)
3. Battlefield 3 (EA)
4. FIFA 12 (EA)
5. Soulcalibur V (Namco Bandai)
6. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda)
9. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
10. Saints Row The Third (THQ)

This week’s new releases include Catherine, The Darkness II and Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on this week’s charts? Is it a deserved No.1 for Final Fantasy XIII-2? Will it continue to top the chart next week?

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

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

Train2Game news: “Atari dream team” to develop for “the new arcade” iOS

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iPhone and iPad games are “the new arcade.” That’s according to games industry veteran  Seamus Blackley who’s brought together some of the original Atari game developers to build games for iOS.

Blackley co-wrote the proposal for the original Xbox console, and assembled the team behind it.

“This is the dream team from Atari,” he told VentureBeat.

“We are looking at the new arcade, and 99 cents on the iPhone is the new quarter. People are playing on all these new devices and are finding the joy of the arcade games.”

Blackley says his team, “”the Jedi Council of videogame design” want to create, quality, original games.

“We are carrying on where Atari left off, focusing on innovation in gameplay,” he said.

“We have to create a quality experience, hone it, and tweak the crap out of it so that you get the same level of gameplay that people demanded in the arcade era. It’s scary as sh*t if you don’t understand gameplay.” Blackley added.

The eleven Atari developers are going to be joined by a team of interns in a company that’ll consist of 30 employees in total. The studio is called Innovative Leisure.

Train2Game students will be aware of the rise of mobile gaming, and the opportunities it can bring.

The Train2Game Blog will certainly be keeping an eye on Blackley’s new studio.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the Atari veterens developing iOS titles? Is i OS the new arcade?

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

[Source: Eurogamer via VentureBeat]

Train2Game news: UK studios Eutechnyx and Brain in a Jar team up for new project

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Train2Game students may be interested to hear that two UK racing game developers have announced they’re working together on a single project.

The two studios are Brain in a Jar and Eutechnyx, both of which may already be familiar to regular Train2Game Blog readers.

Train2Game student Laurence Gee works full-time at Brain in a Jar, after being offered the job following a successful Train2Game work placement. Meanwhile, Eutechnyx’s Lead Programmer Dave Hawes featured in this Train2Game video interview last year.

The new project from Brain in a Jar and Eutechnyx will be announced later this year.

We’re very excited to be working with Eutechnyx on one of its biggest projects this year, as we’re keen to demonstrate the two pillars on which our company is founded on – great technology and intelligent staff scaling.”  said Brain in a Jar founder and director Carl Dalton.

“We’re proving that independent games development in the UK is still at the cutting edge and can adapt to the demands of the global games industry.” he concluded.

“We are actively looking for teams to work with us on a variety of projects, so we’re very pleased to be bringing Brain in a Jar on-board for one of our major pieces of work in 2012.” added Eutechnyx Executive Producer Dave Thompson.

“Despite its core size, the team has proven itself to be a highly skilled and competent developer and its skill in being able to scale its workforce according to work demands is a fabulous asset in the modern game development landscape.” he said

The Train2Game Blog will be sure to keep you up to date with the latest news from the combined project from Brain in a Jar and Eutechnyx. For previous news from Eutechnyx, see The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on two independent UK studios working together on one project?

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

Train2Game news: Your chance to join the Brick-Force beta

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Train2Game students have the opportunity to take part in the closed beta for Brick-Force, a sandbox shooter from German developer Infernum. The shooter appears to have a Minecraft like feel.

Those selected for the closed beta will be able to test playing Brick-Force from 28th February, with an open beta and full release following later this year.

“This sandbox shooter allows players to create worlds and maps that they’ve always dreamed of, brick by brick. They can also share these virtual playgrounds with the community and use them as the backdrop for fast paced shooter hunts against fellow players or computerized opponents” says the official blurb from Infernum.

Brick-Force is built using the Unity 3D engine and is a browser based title. Train2Game students who wish to participate in the Brick-Force closed beta can register on the official website www.brick-force.com

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.

For more on beta testing, how it’s useful for Train2Game students, and opportunities to get involved with it, see the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Brick-Force? Will you apply for the Brick-Force closed beta?

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

Train2Game news: EA’s Origin has 9.3 million registered users

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Train2Game students might be among those using Origin, EA’s digital distribution service, which the publisher claims now has 9.3 million users.

The number would make EA’s Origin about a quarter of the size of rival digital distribution service Steam which has more than 40 million users.  EA also claim that the service has generated $100 million in sales in its first 12 months of operation.

EA are using Origin to generate sales for popular titles such as Battlefield 3 and Star Wars: The Old Republic which aren’t available to purchase or play through rival service Steam. Mass Effect 3 will be an Origin exclusive for those looking to purchase it digitally, unlike the previous two games in the series which were available to buy through Steam.

Capcom, Warner Bros and THQ are among publishers that are backing EA’s Origin, allowing their games to be purchased through the service, while Trion Worlds, CD Projekt RED and Paradox Interactive are also among its supporters.

The Train2Game Blog has previously reported that EA are committed to increasing output for digitally distributed games, and these stats seems to suggest the publisher is moving in the right direction.

For news on digital distribution and downloads, see The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Origin’s stats after a year? Do you use the service?

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

[Source: Develop]

Train2Game news: Question Final Fantasy developer Hironobu Sakaguchi at BAFTA Q&A

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Train2Game students have the opportunity to question Final Fantasy series developer Hironobu Sakaguchi at a BAFTA Q&A event later this month.

The Game Developer Q&A session will see Sakaguchi discuss his upcoming Nintendo Wii RPG The Last Story which launches in Europe on February 24th. Train2Game students potentially have the opportunity to tap into his games industry knowledge with questions during the event.

The Last Story Q&A with Hironobu Sakaguchi takes place at BAFTA’s central London HQ. Train2Game students who wish to find out more, or buy tickets to the event for £5, can do so at the BAFTA website.

Previous BAFTA game developer events – such as the Games Writers Panel – have proved to be very interesting and this one is likely to be extremely useful for any Train2Game students who attend.

So Train2Game, will you attend The Last Story Q&A with Hironobu Sakaguchi? What would you ask him?

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

BAFTA’s public events and online resources bring you closer to the creative talent behind your favourite games, films, and TV shows. Find out more at www.bafta.org/newsletter,www.facebook.com/bafta or twitter.com/baftagames

Train2Game news: Star Wars: The Old Republic gains 1.7 million subscribers in first month

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Star Wars The Old Republic Train2Game blog imageTrain2Game Blog readers will have seen plenty of recent posts about MMO’s going free-to-play, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for subscription based titles.

The Evidence? BioWare’s Star Wars: The Old Republic has gained 1.7 million paying subscribers in the little over a month since the game launched.

The figures were revealed during an EA investors meeting, with other data including Star Wars: The Old Republic sees over one million unique log ins per day, with the average play session around the four hour mark.

“This great launch makes Star Wars: The Old Republic the fastest growing subscription MMO in history” EA CEO John Riccitiello is quoted by Develop in telling investors.

“We’re incredibly pleased to see this great game from BioWare off to a very strong start,” he added.

The Train2Game Blog spoke with BioWare co-founders Dr. Ray Muzyka & Dr. Greg Zeschuk about the history of their studio  and how to get into the games industry towards the end of last year.

We also spoke in-depth to Star Wars: The Old Republic Associate Lead Designer Emmanuel Lusinchi during our trip to Gamescom last August. Train2Game students can find out the design process behind the MMO in this huge Train2Game Blog interview.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest news on Star Wars: The Old Republic and BioWare.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the initial success of SWTOR? Are you a paying subscriber? Will the success last?

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

[Source: Develop/Gamasutra]

Train2Game news: Skyrim mod tools showcased in Bethesda Creation Kit trailer

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Train2Game students looking forward to using official modding tools for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim can see the Bethesda Creation Kit in action in a new video, and boy does it look impressive.

The Skyrim workshop is completely free and offers modders the same creation tools Bethesda used to create Skyrim. It also comes with full Steam functionality, allowing users to easily share, rate and download mods. Train2Game students can see the Skyrim mod tools in action in the video from Bethesda below.

Much more information about the modding tools is available on The Elder Scrolls community page.

A number of Train2Game students are looking forward to making Skyrim mods using Bethesda’s Creation Kit, and if you can get involved too. See this thread on the Train2Game forum for more information.

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, what are your thoughts on the Skyrim mod tools? Are you gearing up for their release?

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

Train2Game news: Sir Paul McCartney writing music for a video game

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Train2Game students may be interested to hear that The Beatles Sir Paul McCartney is currently composing music for an as of yet unannounced video game.

“It’s a fascinating market. A new computer game sells so much better than a new CD these days. Young people will hear my music for the first time in a game.” McCartney is quoted as saying by The Daily Express.

Of course, this won’t be Sir Paul’s first foray into video games, having helped EA with releasing The Beatles Rock Band in 2009.

As Train2Game students will be aware, a good musical score can really add something to a video game, and isn’t something that should be treated lightly during game development.

And as reported by The Train2Game Blog last year, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West from Ninja Theory, Shogun 2: Total War from The Creative Assembly and James Bond 007: Blood Stone published by Activision saw their in-game compositions nominated for the prestigious Ivor Novello Award.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Sir Paul McCartney composing music for a video game? And which games do you think have great musical scores?

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

[Source: Develop]

Train2Game news: Wii U hardware “constantly changing” say Team Ninja

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Wii U controllerTrain2Game students haven’t heard much about Nintendo’s Wii U since it was revealed at E3 last year, but one developer has broken the industry silence and discussed the upcoming console.

Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive developers Team Ninja have spoken about the Wii U, and say it’s “very easy” to develop for, despite the constantly changing hardware.

“Nintendo asked us what we would want from the hardware. And when we gave them our feedback, we could see that they really listened and made changes. The hardware is currently changing constantly.” Ninja’s Yasuda Fumihiko told Gamefront.

He described the Nintendo Wii U’s touch screen control pad to their handheld console, the Nintendo DS.

“The control via a touch screen is like the Nintendo DS, we worked on the NDS with Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, and we would like to take some elements from it and install them in the U Wii version of Ninja Gaiden 3.” said Fumihiko.

The Train2Game Blog has previously reported that Nintendo believe the Wii U’s audience will be different to that of the current Wii console.

Wired Productions Senior Producer Kevin Leathers discussed the Nintendo Wii U in an interview with The Train2Game Blog towards the end of last year.

There’s no specific release date for the Nintendo Wii U as of yet, but reports suggest it’ll be here before the end of 2012.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Team Ninja’s comments about the Wii U? Is the fact it’s apparently easy to develop for something that’s encouraging for you?

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

[Source: GoNintendo]