Train2Game News XSplit Broadcaster Update

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Splitmedialabs has announced the immediate availability of XSplit Broadcaster 2.3, a title update that introduces a host of new features and improvements suggested by the community.

XSplit Gamecaster is the world’s easiest live streaming and recording solution, allowing for users to upload and share their greatest gaming moments to popular video services such as Twitch and YouTube, at just the click of a button. XSplit Broadcaster is one of the most popular and widely used applications for live Internet broadcasting, with a user base ranging from hobbyists to prominent professional casters in more than 150 countries. XSplit allows users to record or live stream any type of media, while taking advantage of TV-like broadcasting features that anyone can learn to master.

One of the major improvements XSplit Broadcaster 2.3 introduces is new source positioning tools, letting users move, flip, and rotate multimedia sources within the application as well as dragging sources outside of the mixer. Additionally, users can now more easily crop visual sources, enabling finer tuning for webcam feeds and any other similar sources in a scene.

XSplit Broadcaster 2.3 also introduces custom stinger transitions, allowing users to import their own WebM files to create branded transitions similar to that normally seen on big budget live event broadcasts.

This update also gives users the ability to insert custom cue points into recordings, leading to a more streamlined workflow when editing footage with XSplit’s in-application Express Video Editor.

“This new version update of XSplit Broadcaster represents a significant milestone both in the continued development of the application and its thriving community,” said lead product manager Miguel Molina. “We have been able to improve and iterate upon the capabilities of our applications thanks to the constant interaction between the development team and the XSplit community; we are eternally grateful for the continued support and feedback from our users.”

XSplit Broadcaster 2.3 is available as a free update to all XSplit Free, Personal, and Premium account holders effective immediately. Visit xsplit.com/download to view the release notes and download the update.

Train2Game News Develop 2015

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Today, Tandem Events, organisers of Develop:Brighton, announced Neil Young, industry veteran and CEO of N3TWORK will deliver the Evolve:Brighton track keynote on the opening morning of the conference.

In his session entitled, ‘Peak Mobile, Are We There Yet?,  Neil –former General Manager at EA and founder of ngmoco- will discuss the potential for mobile games, exploring what native mobile quality means and how it’s important to building the games that truly leverage the power of the platform. He will delve into why the industry hasn’t seen the peak of mobile games market yet and will also share his approach to the role of talent in building the next great games company.

Evolve:Brighton takes place on Tuesday 14 July and is the start of the content packed three day Develop:Brighton conference. Evolve:Brighton, a one day track, focuses on all that is cutting-edge and innovative in game development – new platforms, new technologies, new business models and new markets.

To celebrate the tenth year of the conference, big hitting companies such as Nickelodeon, Amazon and Google will be joined by exciting and up and coming first time speakers, offering the insight of the next generation in video games development.

Following on from the Evolve:Brighton opening keynote there will be 13 sessions from some of the most forward thinking companies in the industry including:

1.      ‘We’re not playing very hard!’ Using Children to Design Games – Dr Esther MacCallum-Stewart, Digital Cultures Research Centre, UWE
2.      Advertising and Games Two World Class UK Industries and How VR will connect with them – Seamus Masterson, Maverick; Ian Chambers, Freelance; Katie Grayson, Inition
3.      Big $ In Japan – Harry Holmwood, Marvelous Europe
4.      Everything is and Will be a Game – Javier Marti, JavierMarti.co.uk
5.      How SMITE Became a Top Global eSport Using Community, Crowdsourcing and Stupid Videos – Todd Harris, Hi-Rez
6.      Studios Kids, Consoles, Content, Coolness – Alison York, Nickelodeon UK
7.      The Develop Panel: What Next Big Thing is Around the Corner? – Chair: James Batchelor, Develop Magazine
8.      The World As Your Game Map: Blending Virtual Experiences with Real World Activity and Exploration – John Hanke, Niantic Labs (a division of Google)
9.      User Generated Content – The Next Generation – Lee Bamber, The Game Creators

“Evolve:Brighton is all about being at the cutting edge of games development,” commented Andy Lane, managing director of Tandem Events. “With a fantastic mix of brand new speakers and big name companies there is great potential for some exciting new ideas to emerge. Added to that it gives me great pleasure to welcome Neil Young as our opening keynote focusing on the ever changing mobile space. It is a cracking line up for the first day of our tenth Develop:Brighton conference.”

Registration is open now at  www.developconference.com  and Early Bird rates are available until midnight on Wednesday 3 June, saving up to £160 off a three day pass.

Train2Game News UK Top 20 Games – 18.05.15

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Project-CarsProject Cars has stayed at number one for the second week in a row keeping new comer Wolfenstein: The Old Blood at number two. Thanks to a PlayStation 4 re-release Final Fantasy X/X2 HD Remastered is the only other new comer in the charts at number five.

All formats

Week ending 16 May 2015

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 – PROJECT CARS BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT 1
2 WOLFENSTEIN: THE OLD BLOOD BETHESDA SOFTWORKS –
3 GRAND THEFT AUTO V ROCKSTAR 2
4 MORTAL KOMBAT X WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 3
5 FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD REMASTER SQUARE ENIX –
6 FIFA 15 EA SPORTS 4
7 CALL OF DUTY: ADVANCED WARFARE ACTIVISION 6
8 DYING LIGHT WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 5
9 DESTINY ACTIVISION 10
10 BATTLEFIELD HARDLINE EA GAMES 7
11 MINECRAFT: XBOX EDITION MICROSOFT 8
12 HALO: THE MASTER CHIEF COLLECTION MICROSOFT 9
13 MINECRAFT: PLAYSTATION EDITION SONY COMPUTER ENT. 11
14 FORZA HORIZON 2 MICROSOFT 12
15 WWE 2K15 2K SPORTS 14
16 TERRARIA XBOX 360 CLASSICS 15
17 – ASSASSIN’S CREED: UNITY UBISOFT 17
18 DISNEY INFINITY 2.0 DISNEY INFINITY 16
19 – LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 19
20 FAR CRY 4 UBISOFT 18
< previous week
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2015 UKIE Ltd

These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.

Train2Game News Nintendo at 2015 E3

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Nintendo reaches out directly to gaming fans, media and partners with a dynamic lineup for E3 2015, starting with the exciting return of the Nintendo World Championships after a 25-year hiatus.

At select Best Buy locations around the country, consumers can vie for a coveted spot in the tournament finals set in Los Angeles to kick off E3 week on Sunday, June 14. Separately on Tuesday, June 16, online viewers can score the latest Nintendo news as it breaks by tuning in to the Nintendo Digital Event, followed by Nintendo Treehouse: Live @ E3, daily live-streamed game demonstrations from the Nintendo booth. Finally, Nintendo will deliver a piece of its E3 experience to consumers nationwide, with two hands-on sampling days of the upcoming Mario Maker Wii U game at participating Best Buy stores. This year, Nintendo will go beyond the show to deliver the E3 spirit and inside scoop to a bigger audience than ever via http://e3.nintendo.com and Nintendo’s social media channels.

“Whether you’re tuning in online or joining us at the show, we want to include fans of all ages this E3 with an innovative and nostalgic focus on fun,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “I’m especially eager to bring back the Nintendo World Championships and to crown the 2015 Nintendo World Champion.”

The E3 2015 video game trade show takes place June 16-19 in Los Angeles. Nintendo’s main events taking place during E3 include:

Nintendo World Championships 2015
On May 30, select Best Buy locations in major cities around the country will host qualifying tournaments for the Nintendo World Championships, which were last seen in 1990. The winners from each regional event, plus competitors invited by Nintendo, will meet on June 14, at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles for a multi-round Nintendo game competition. In the end, one player will be crowned the 2015 Nintendo World Champion. Fans in Los Angeles will have the opportunity to attend the tournament, while others can watch online. More details about the qualifying tournaments will be shared in the coming weeks.

Nintendo Digital Event
Once again Nintendo will deliver its main news via an online video program. The Nintendo Digital Event will start at 9 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday, June 16. Viewers will be treated to detailed information about the various games and experiences Nintendo has in store for its systems.

Nintendo Treehouse: Live @ E3
Nintendo Treehouse: Live @ E3 2015 is ready to bring fans even more in-depth coverage of Nintendo products directly from the show floor. The unscripted action delivered by the gaming experts in the Nintendo Treehouse and various game developers will be live streamed. More information about the specific times will be announced closer to E3.

Nintendo Access: Mario Maker at Best Buy
On two days during the week of E3, participating Best Buy locations will open their doors to let fans try out the upcoming Mario Maker game for the Wii U console. The game lets players have fun with friends as they enjoy playing through levels in a variety of Super Mario Bros. styles. The events will take place 4-9 p.m. local time on Wednesday, June 17, and noon-5 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 20. Attendees will receive a sweet 30th anniversary Super Mario Bros. pin while supplies last.

More information about the Nintendo World Championships, events at select Best Buy stores and other Nintendo events during E3 will be announced shortly. Keep an eye on Nintendo’s social media channels, or visit http://e3.nintendo.com.

Train2Game News GAME at EGX 2015

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GAME, the UK’s leading video games retailer has been announced as this year’s retail partner for EGX 2015, cementing the brand’s ongoing relationship with the biggest video games event in UK history.

EGX 2015, hosted at the NEC in Birmingham from the 24th to 27th September, will give over 80,000 gamers the chance to play over 100 of the most anticipated console and PC games months before their release, as well as the opportunity to hear from well-known game designers. GAME’s sponsorship will give all those in attendance the opportunity to play, pre-order and buy the latest games directly from the event itself.

Fred Prego, Marketing & Insight Director at GAME, says, “We’ve been working closely with EGX for years, so we’re really excited to be an official sponsor again in 2015 and having a retail presence at this huge event will make gaming even more accessible to attendees. We can’t wait to be part of it and to see all the exciting new additions this year”.

David Lilley, Managing Director of Gamer Events, says, “We’re delighted to welcome GAME as the retail channel sponsor for another year. It’s brilliant that attendees can play games coming for Christmas and then pre-order on the spot.

“EGX promises to be even better with the broadest range of content including e-Sports, Cosplay, fighting tournaments and board games, not forgetting the parties every night too.”

To find about more about EGX and how to purchase tickets visit: https://www.egx.net/egx

Train2Game News 2015 Pokémon UK Championships

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2014 World Champion’s Pokémon Pachirisu will be distributed at the 2015 Pokémon UK Video Game National Championships on May 30–31, 2015, at EventCity, Manchester.

Those attending this year’s Pokémon Video Game National Championships in the UK will be able to receive the Electric-type Pokémon Pachirisu through a special distribution. And this isn’t any ordinary Pachirisu! This special Pokémon was part of the successful team used by last year’s Masters Division World Champion.

In 2014, Se Jun Park became the first Pokémon Video Game World Champion from South Korea in the history of the Pokémon Championships. His win shows the ever-increasing expansion of the Pokémon Championship Series to more than 30 countries in all corners of the globe, and comes right on the heels of the 2013 win by Arash Ommati of Italy, the first Video Game World Champion from Europe. Could an English Pokémon Trainer take the crown this year?

Pachirisu played a key role in Se Jun’s victory, and he kept a Pachirisu Poké Doll by his side on stage, which he waved to the crowd after he won the Championship.

Pachirisu is legal in tournaments for the 2015 season. The Level 50 Pokémon offered in this distribution has the moves Nuzzle, Follow Me, Super Fang, and Protect, and the Hidden Ability Volt Absorb.

The free-to-enter UK tournament will take place at EventCity in Manchester on May 30–31, and will determine who will go on to win Travel Awards or invitations to the 2015 Pokémon World Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, in August.

The UK Video Game National Championships are open to players of any nationality, while the Pokémon TCG tournament is open only to citizens of the UK.

To compete in the video game tournament, players need to bring a system from the Nintendo 3DS family and a copy of Pokémon Omega Ruby or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, along with their Player ID. To get a Player ID, please visit Pokemon.co.uk or register at the event. To receive the special Pachirisu, players are not required to take part in the tournament, but will need to bring along their systems.

The final joint European VG and TCG National Championships of the season, will take place at the 2015 Pokémon Italian National Championships: June 13–14, 2015, at Mediolanum Forum, Assago

Additional European TCG National Championships and other qualifying video game events will also take place this spring, and information on these events can be found using the event search tool here: www.pokemon.co.uk/play

Train2Game News Women in Games aiming to double females in industry

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The women in games organisation, Women in Games WIGJ, announced today that its core objective is to double the number of women in games working in the UK and European Games Industry by 2025.

The organisation recently reviewed its strategy with a group of interested parties including representatives from several publishers and developers and has identified a layer of initiatives that will be revealed in the coming weeks and months to accelerate the movement towards this goal. WIGJ is already in discussion with a number of industry groups including Ukie and STEMNET and hopes to collaborate with as many other interested parties as possible to make this dream a reality.

The Women in Games WIGJ network is open to both women and men. WIGJ believes firmly that encouraging more talented girls and young women to consider a career in the games industry will not be at the expense of others. The games industry needs to hire the most talented, creative people to compete with other industries in tech and the media. The games industry in the UK and throughout Europe is generating many new jobs though tax breaks and the continued growth of new formats. The growth of the games sector will create additional opportunities for all.

Recently appointed CEO, Jenny Richards-Stewart commented, “More girls and women playing games mean more women are interested in working in the games industry but we should not assume that this will solve the current gender imbalance without the industry doing more to welcome a more diverse workforce. Intel working with the IGDA demonstrated in January a significant commitment to bring more women and other diverse talent to the tech and games industries.  We want more companies to step forward on issues of diversity and inspire the next generation of talent .The games industry in the UK and Europe is keen to do more and we are here to help. We want the games industry to get behind this goal. ”

Dr Jo Twist, CEO of Ukie, said “Women represent 52% of regular players in the UK, but they only make up a small proportion of the games industry workforce, far behind other creative sectors. We have a shared responsibility as an industry to take action to ensure a diversity of people are inspired into a career in our sector from a young age, and stay in the sector. We are doing that via our Digital Schoolhouse programme as well as through the Video Game Ambassador scheme, and we actively encourage a diverse range of people to put themselves up for Ukie Board election and to speak at events.”

To find out more visit http://www.womeningamesjobs.com/

Train2Game News Guitar Hero Live track list

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Activision is officially starting to roll out the track list for #GuitarHeroLive.

Below is the first set of songs that will be playable in the game, including hardcore tracks that Guitar Hero fans will love from Alter Bridge, Pierce the Veil and System of a Down, plus Black Veil Brides, Sleigh Bells and The Pretty Reckless, as well as classics from Judas Priest and Pantera.

With hundreds of songs in the game, fans will also get to rock out to songs from Rage Against the Machine, Green Day, The Rolling Stones and Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as songs that take a new twist on the classic Guitar Hero rock, such as The Killers, The Black Keys and Fall Out Boy.

New tracks will be announced every week on #TracklistTuesday, so be on the lookout for news about all the great music coming to #GuitarHeroLive! You can also visit facebook.com/guitarhero and  guitarhero.com to check out the latest. Here’s the first 24:

Newly Announced Artists and Tracks:
·         Judas Priest – “Breaking the Law”
·         Pantera – “Cowboys From Hell”
·         Alter Bridge – “Cry of Achilles”
·         Rage Against the Machine – “Guerrilla Radio”
·         Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Higher Ground”
·         Sleigh Bells – “Bitter Rivals”
·         System of a Down – “Chop Suey!”
·         Black Veil Brides – “In The End”
·         The Pretty Reckless – “Going to Hell”
·         Broken Bells – “Leave it Alone”
·         Alt-J – “Left Hand Free”

Previously Announced Artists, Newly Announced Tracks:
·         The Rolling Stones – “Paint it Black”
·         My Chemical Romance – “Na Na Na”
·         Fall Out Boy – “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)”
·         Green Day – “Nuclear Family”
·         Pierce the Veil – “King for a Day (feat. Kellin Quinn)”
·         Blitz Kids – “Sometimes”
·         The Black Keys – “Gold on the Ceiling”
·         The Killers – “When You Were Young”
·         Gary Clark Jr. – “Don’t Owe You a Thang”
·         The War on Drugs – “Under The Pressure”
·         The Lumineers – “Ho Hey”
·         Ed Sheeran – “Sing”
·         Skrillex – “Bangarang”

Follow us for the latest updates:
Web: http://www.freestylegames.com/guitarhero
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/guitarhero
Twitter: http://twitter.com/guitarhero

Train2Game News SEGASaturday at REZtron

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REZtron Ltd., today announced it will be hosting a #SEGASaturday party with FREE entry for those come dressed in video game cosplay.

Guests will be transported into the golden era of SEGA gaming, mixed with drinks,networking,music,competition,prizes,Karaoke and much more…all under the roof of an award winning cocktail bar…
SW4’s sexy cocktail bar Aquum will be filled with nothing but SEGA consoles spanning four generations, including Master System, Mega Drive, Saturn and the legendary Dreamcast.

·         Legendary games including Golden Axe,Rastan, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter II, R-Type, Streets of Rage 2,Alien Storm, Sonic 2, Road Rash II,Thunder Force III, Super Monaco GP,Virtua Racing,Shadow Dancer,Italia ’90, 8 – player Micro Machines 2, Virtua Cop,Virtua Fighter 2,Fighters Megamix,SEGA Rally, Virtua Tennis,Virtua Striker 2,Crazy Taxi, House of the Dead 2,Power Stones,Soul Calibur,Marvel Vs Capcom and many more…
·         Displayed on RETRO Bang & Olufsen,Sony Trinitron,LG,Philips CRT TVs and huge Projector screens

·         Speed run competition on Sonic the Hedgehog (5-8pm)
·         WIN A MEGA DRIVE!
·         2-4-1 drinks until 9pm
·         DJ playing the greatest hip hop and techno of the 80s/90s
·         80s/90s KARAOKE in an ELEVATOR!
·         and more….

#SEGASaturday Retrotainment will take place on Bank Holiday Saturday 23rd May,5pm til 10pm followed by an after party til the early hours.

Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite

8,16,32 and 128-BIT SEGA Retrotainment awaits you….

Train2Game News Cooking up a career in Games Development

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After a change in his family’s circumstances, professional chef Ben Randall quit working in a Michelin Star kitchen to study Games Development with Train2Game and to have more time with his family

When life changed for Train2Game student Ben Randall, 27, from Peterborough, he left his job in the kitchen to spend more time with his family and study Games Development. He now balances his time studying QA, working with student studio Devils Inc. and looking after his children and temporarily disabled wife.
 
Getting into studying Games

“I took to work as a chef straight out of school and worked my way up on the kitchen ladder to being sous chef in a number of restaurants with high standards (even a Michelin star).”

“I then started a family and the working hours got longer and it was hard to be with my family. Then unfortunately my wife fell ill and is now temporarily disabled. My wife and kids need my care at home so I had to leave work, but I’m not the type to sit around doing nothing.”

“That’s when a friend of mine said he was on a fantastic art and animation course for video game development and I jumped on that bandwagon faster than Mario on Koopa’s, but my six year old daughter has better art work than I do, so I spoke to the Train2Game rep that came out and he recommended QA.”
 
Studying with Train2Game

“I have been studying with Train2Game for around eight-nine months now. It’s been great so far. The course has a good learning curve to it so I find that it’s getting harder but you have already learnt all you need to cope with that change.”
 
“I am pleased with the course, mainly that for a QA tester to train at college they would need to study IT and software based courses and then move over to the gaming industry, whereas T2G specialize the course to the right area.”

“The positives of the Train2Game courses are they are specialized and that you can do them in your own speed, but at the same time you are not alone. I would recommend the course to others. I feel that T2G push students towards making a strong portfolio of work to present to employers later down the line.”

Working with Train2Game student studio Devils Inc.

“I have seen first-hand just how important teamwork is in the development of games and adding more work to a portfolio is great, but a QA tester is nowhere without something to test so I am happy to branch out and work with anyone at any level of their course experience.”

“It’s great working with Devils Inc. Casual, but great. Because of the nature of each member of the team working from home and using Skype to keep in touch the team trusts that each member is hard at work at their own pace.”
 
“I’m proud to say I am Head of QA in Devils Inc…. ok, Lead tester…… Ok, I’m all of QA (only one) for now as the project is in pre alpha stages at the moment. I have put a test plan in place and set a host server for a bug database and test anything the programmer throws my way. At the Beta stages if the testing process seems too large for one I will recruit testers to follow the test plan and delegate testing to them.”
 
“It’s a great opportunity to see exactly how each role in the team comes together in a project. I don’t think any amount of text book reading can demonstrate this better than real world experience in a development team.”
 
What’s next?

“We are now working on a new take on classic arcade game style space shooter in 2D.

The game will feature waves of enemies in a space setting that the player has to defeat with a small team of 3 AI planes to help. The game will switch when a boss is encountered to a 3D FPS fight (Lylat wars style) The game will then work on multiplayer features so that 4 players join forces or fight each other because.. who doesn’t love Co-op play?”
 
“In the long term future my dream is to work up within QA of a development studio (big or small) and be part of making triple A games you would be proud of.”