Some information on Train2Game student placements, how students are selected, and how game developers can get involved.
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Category Archives: Train2Game
Molyneux: lack of buttons for Kinect causes problems
Peter Molyneux has admitted that there are problems with motion control, in comments that may be well supported by Train2Game students.
“I’ll admit that Kinect has got some problems. As an input device it has some real problems.” He told Gaming Union.
“Without a thumb stick, navigation is a real problem. You haven’t got any buttons, so ordering the player to do something can be somewhat of a problem” he continued. It’s a fair point that Train2Game Game Designers may have thought of too.
“But what Kinect does have is a great sense of freedom and emotion. So that’s what we’ve tried to do with Fable: The Journey.It started about seven months ago when Microsoft came to us and said, ‘Look we want you to do a [Kinect] experience for the core gamers” Molyneux added.
“So we sat down and thought through the problems with that, and the first thing was figuring out how we can make Kinect more engaging, more engrossing, and more emotional than any control-based game or any Fable game has ever been before.”
Microsoft are very keen to push Kinect, and as reported by the Train2Game blog, the motion controller featured heavily in their E3 presentation. Earlier this month, the Train2Game blog also reported that Microsoft say all first party titles will come with Kinect support in future.
Train2Game students may also like to be reminded that earlier this year, Molyneux stated that up and coming game developers – which of course includes those currently on Train2Game courses – should get more support from the industry.
So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Molyneux’s comments about Kinect? Does it show that the traditional controller still has a lot to offer?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: Gaming Union via Develop]
Train2Game Game Designer Justin French from St Albans speaks to Train2Game Radio
In our latest interview, we speak to Audio Engineer and Train2Game Game Design student Justin French.
Train2Game Radio caught up with Justin to find out why he chose to study with Train2Game, how he’s finding the course and what he wants to achieve in a career in the games industry.
Listen at www.audioboo.fm/train2game. Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
Zynga’s new game Empires & Allies gets 33 million players in three weeks
In a big reminder to Train2Game students of how popular social games now are, Zynga’s latest title Empires & Allies has reached over 30 million users in less than 3 weeks.
According to AppData, Strategy game Empires & Allies gained 20 million of those players in the last week.
The game Zygna said has “more social features than any Zynga game” was released on at the beginning of June.
Empires & Allies is free-to-play, but like many other Zynga and social media games, players can spend money to help them progress faster.
For more information on Freemium games, their increasing popularity, and how this could be important for Train2Game students, see the Train2Game blog.
As the Train2Game blog reported earlier this year, a survey suggested that 70% of internet users play casual games. Social games are therefore potentially a lucrative market forTrain2Game students to be involved in.
Indeed, the Train2Game blog also reported that Game Design isthe most important aspect of a social game, and that Game Designers behind them much larger roles than those who help produce console titles.
In theory that means creating a social game could allow a Train2Game Game Designer more of an opportunity to flex their creative muscle.
Whatever your opinion of Facebook games, it’s hard to argue with such high user numbers, although there’s some way to go before reaching Cityville’s 100 million players.
As reported by the Train2Game blog in January, it’s previously been suggested that the social media gaming market will reach $1 billion this year.
So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the success of Empires & Allies? Would you develop Facebook games?
Leave your thoughts here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: Gamasutra]
UK Charts: Zumba Fitness back on top
In news that may surprise Train2Game blog readers, Zumba Fitness has once again reclaimed No.1 in the UK Charts. The dancing game retakes the top spot it last occupied 6 weeks ago, as previously reported on the Train2Game blog.
The repeat success of Zumba Fitness denies The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time 3D for the Nintendo 3DS top spot in its first week in the chart as it settles for No.2. Last weeks No.1 as reported by the Train2Game blog, Duke Nukem Forever, drops to No.3 while L.A. Noire drops two to No.4.
Brink rises two places to No.5, passing LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean with drops one to No.6, while Dirt 3 also drops one to No.7.
Infamous 2 drops from No.4 to No.8 in its second week in the charts, Dungeon Siege III enters at No.1 in its first week of release, while FIFA 11 completes the top ten.
Call of Duty: Black Ops and Red Faction: Armageddon both leave the top ten dropping to No.11 and No.12 respectively. Both are ahead of Alice: Madness returns with debuts at No. 13. The highly praised Child of Eden enters the UK Chart at No.25 in its first week on sale.
The UKIE Gfk Chart-Track All Formats Top 10 for the week ending 18th June 2011 is therefore as follows:
1. Zumba Fitness (505 Games)
2. The Legend of Zelda: OCarina of Time 3D
3. Duke Nukem Forever (2K Games)
4. LA Noire (Rockstar)
5. Brink (Bethesda)
6. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (Disney)
7. Dirt 3 (Codemasters)
8. InFamous 2 (Sony)
9. Dungeon Siege III (Square Enix)
10. FIFA 11 (EA)
So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on this weeks charts? Are you surpised to see Zumba Fitness back at No.1? What does it say about the UK games industry right now?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: UKIE Games Charts©, compiled by GfK Chart-Track]
Minecraft for Xbox 360 being developed by British Studio
The Xbox 360 version of Train2Game forum user favourite Minecraft is being developed by Dundee based team 4J Studios.
The news was confirmed in a Tweet by Minecraft creator Markus ‘Notch’ Persson, which said “They ported Oblivion to PS3 and Perfect Dark to Xbox360! It’s 4J Studios:http://t.co/vG8Np8n”
As reported by the Train2Game blog, the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft will come with Kinect support.
Earlier this week, the Train2Game blog reported that Minecraft, despite still being in Beta, has been bought and downloaded over 2.5 million times.
The indie smash hit is also heading to smartphones, as also previously mentioned by the Train2Game blog.
The news of the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft being developed in the UK comes as the Train2Game blog revealed SEGA are opening a new studio in the Midlands.
So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the news?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
Train2Game Game Developer Andrew Goodchild speaks to Train2Game Radio
Andrew Goodchild is studying to become a Game Developer with Train2Game. Train2Game Radio caught up with him to find out why he chose to study with Train2Game, how he’s finding the course and what he wants to achieve in a career in the games industry. Listen to the interview in full at www.audioboo.fm/train2game
Earlier this year, Andrew spoke to BBC Radio Suffolk about the Train2Game Game Jam.
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
Opportunity for Train2Game students to learn from Epic devs at ‘Unreal University’ event
Train2Game students have an opportunity to learn about game development from some of the best in the business when Epic brings ‘Unreal University’ to the UK next month.
Earlier this month, the Train2Game blog reported that the Epic’s free Unreal Development Kit has passed 800,000 downloads.
The free two day event will be run by senior members of the Epic team and some of the best UE3 instructors.
The second day of Unreal University will be of the most interest to Train2Game students, as it’ll feature hands on guidance for those looking to get started with UDK, with advice on level design, mobile game development and much more.
The first day of the Unreal University event is for those already using UDK.
The free Unreal University event takes place on July 13th-14th and Train2Game students can register to attend here. Places for the London based event are limited, so any interested Train2Game students need to be quick!
So Train2Game, will you attend Unreal University? If so, what will you want to find out?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
[Source: Develop]
Partially Train2Game student developed game Bug Wings updated
Bug Wings for iPhone and iPad, developed with the help of Train2Game students on work placement at DR Studios, has received its first official update.
Bug Wings Version 1.1 adds the following features:
★ Bug selection and level loading UI improvements
★ Support for both device orientations
★ Reduced default sensitivity for new players
Bug Wings, which has Train2Game student names in the credits, has received favourable reviews online, including a 4/5 review on 148apps.com. Bug Wings also currently has a user rating of 5 stars on the official iTunes app store page.
For more information about Bug Wings from DR Studios, see the launch post on the Train2Game blog, or the official Bug Wings website.
You can support your fellow Train2Game students through buying Bug Wings from the iTunes store.
Do you like Bug Wings? Does it inspire you into mobile game development?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
Former Rockstar Game Designer founds indie studio
In a move that’ll remind Train2Game students of the ever growing appeal of mobile games, a former Rockstar Game Designer has founded a new studio for producing them.
Anthony Gowland’s micro-studio Mainly About Games will concentrate on developing web an mobile games, with the first coming in the form of Tealy & Orangey, a web-based puzzle platformer
“With the varied distribution opportunities now available to developers, it felt like the perfect time to move away from AAA development,” explained Gowland”
And in similar comments made by games industry veteran Jon Hare during the Third Official Train2Game webinar in October last year, the former Rockstar Game Designer believes small teams can make very successful games.
“It’s totally viable for a small team, or even a single dedicated guy, to create and market a successful game independently. My passion is in creating small titles that have solid gameplay hooks and big budget polish.”
And in news that could theoretically benefit Train2Game student run game development teams, Mainly About Games will also offer consultation services.
“Each year there are a lot of games that are very good, when they could have been great. Playing through them you often get the impression that it’s the little details that are missing or have been overlooked.” said Gowland.
“I think there’s a real benefit to having an outsider with a proven track record play through your game with a fresh pair of eyes.”
Anthony Gowland previously worked as a Game Designer on titles including Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars and Red Dead Redemption. For an interesting look behind the scenes of Red Dead Redemption, see the Train2Game blog.
So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the move? What does a Game Designer with Triple A experience moving into mobile say about the industry right now?
Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.
