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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: FPS success means ‘there’s not really a strong demand for anything else’ says Hideo Kojima

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Train2Game students will be well aware that some of the most iconic characters in gaming, Mario, Donkey Kong, various Final Fantasy protagonists and many more came out of Japan.

However, Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima believes the success of First Person Shooters means there isn’t much demand for other types of video game, and therefore Japanese developers will struggle to be successful in future.

“It’s much more competitive now: if you look at triple-A titles on a worldwide scale there’s maybe only ten really big games that can get gamers’ attention, and I’m not sure how Japan can compete on that level,” Kojima told Official PlayStation Magazine.

“I think it’s more consumer demand – right now, consumers are happy with what they have. First-person shooters sell like crazy, so there’s not really a strong demand for anything else, and that’s why [original ideas] stop being made.”

“People are satisfied with making minor upgrades and tweaking things here and there – as long as that’s the landscape, it will keep on happening. I don’t see a problem necessarily, but at the same time it is nice to see new things come.” the Metal Gear Solid man added.

Kojima is currently working on Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D for the Nintendo 3DS.

So Train2Game, what do you make of Kojima’s comments? Is the success of FPS titles harming development of other types of game? Or does the rise of indie titles show that this is far from the case?

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

[Source: Official PlayStation Magazine]

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: L.A. Noire development took 7 years because it was “too big” says creator Brendan McNamara

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L.A. Noire Cole Phelps Train2Game blog imageTrain2Game students will know that game development can take a significant amount of time, but even in this industry, L.A. Noire’s seven year development cycle was extensive. (Though only half as long as that of Duke Nukem Forever…)

Why was this? Well, partly because of the impressive Motionscan facial animation, and also because L.A. Noire creator Brendan McNamara believes his film noire title, published by Rockstar, was “too big”

“One [thing] is the size, it’s a huge game – probably too big. The map’s massive, and so that’s probably my fault. We had to build a new process to do that” he told OPM

“We were a brand-new studio – we had brand-new tools, new technology. We have tools that allow you to build cities now, but we had to build that kind of stuff and make it work. Everything from the road network, where all the trolley cars go, all the cables connecting automatically to all of the buildings…”

McNamara revealed that at least 18 months of L.A. Noire’s development was dedicated to research.

“The tech was pretty extensive, including MotionScan. I’d say the first year and a half – [maybe] even longer – was just research.” he said

“Newspaper research, guys going over to LA and doing research on the buildings, taking photos, getting all the resources together… We were quite a small studio – 16 people or something – and we had to have all this material so we could start building stuff.” McNamara concluded

Facial animation was a huge part of L.A. Noire, however, in an interview with the Train2Game blog last November, Brink Lead Writer Ed Stern told us it isn’t something that’s needed in order to enjoy video games.

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, L.A. Noire broke records to take No.1 in the UK charts when it was released last year.

For more on L.A. Noire, see previous posts on The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what do you make of McNamara’s comments? Is it possible for a game to be too big? What lessons do you thinkcan be learned from the development of L.A. Noire?

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

[Source: OPM]

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.

Train2Game news: Naughty Dog want to “raise the bar” of game design with The Last of Us

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Naughty Dog want to “raise the bar” for the “poor” storytelling in video games with their new title, The Last of US.

The new game from Uncharted developer Naughty Dog was revealed at last weekend’s VGAs and will be exclusive to PlayStation 3.

“We try so hard at Naughty Dog to push things,” The Last of Us Creative director and writer Neil Druckmann told Eurogamer 

“And then games come out that are fun and exciting and get visceral things right, but to read in reviews that they have an amazing story is disheartening to us because we work so hard at it.

“As critics we need to raise the bar, otherwise no-one’s going to change. We’re going to keep pushing ourselves, and kill ourselves to make this story happen – but hope that by doing it, the rest of the industry is going to take notice and try to do the same thing.”

Druckmann says that The Last of Us is a love story between father and daughter and that they’re doing it because ‘love’ isn’t something that’s often properly explored in games writing.

“We approached this genre because we felt no-one is getting to the heart of it. It tells you something about the human condition – that’s what you want to do as a storyteller.” he said

“We’re not saying every game needs a strong, compelling and dramatic story, but if you are going to make a narrative-based game then you better learn the craft.” Druckmann added.

Naughty Dog describe The Last of Us as “a genre-defining experience that blends survival and action elements to tell a character driven tale about a modern plague decimating mankind. Nature encroaches upon civilization, forcing remaining survivors to kill for food, weapons and whatever they can find. Joel, a ruthless survivor, and Ellie, a brave young teenage girl who is wise beyond her years, must work together to survive their journey across what remains of the United States.”

Train2Game blog readers can see the first trailer for The Last of Us below.

So Train2Game, what are your first impressions of The Last of Us? Is a ‘love story’ a bold move for Naughty Dog? Do you believe game writers need to raise the bar?

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

[Source: Eurogamer]